Best Performing Arts Colleges in the US

Do you intend to study performing arts in the best performing arts school in the United States, but you are yet to identify the school that will fit you? Don’t worry because we are here for you.

Today, we are looking into 10 incredible schools where students get premier training in dance, music, and theater.

These are schools suitable for instrumentalists, singers, musical theater artists, aspiring choreographers, and others who wish to make a career in the arts. So, let’s get started!

For many students looking into a career in the performing arts sector, be it in dance, music, or acting, the US is both a logical and desirable destination. See Best Online Music Schools in the US.

Not only is the US home to one of the most significant cultural epicenters of the world, but the country’s rural schools are also home to many prestigious performing arts schools.

How did we decide on this specific set of performing arts colleges?

For this list, the best performing arts schools in the United States were selected based on the caliber of their faculty, the accomplishments and contributions of alumni, and the breadth and quality of professional opportunities for students.

All schools are selective and many, if not all, require auditions or interviews as part of the application process.

Promising artists in music, dance, and drama will find that the United States abounds with opportunities that will help to jumpstart their careers.

Here are 10 of the best performing arts schools that the Country has to offer.

• University of North Texas (Denton, TX)
• University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)
• Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
• Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
• Juilliard School (New York, NY)
• New York University (New York, NY)
• University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
• Boston Conservatory at Berklee (Boston, MA)
• University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA)
• Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle, WA)

University of North Texas (Denton, TX)

The University of North Texas is home to a stellar performing arts program, with experiential learning at its curriculum’s heart.

What makes the theater program at UNT stand out is how involved undergraduates are in every aspect of theater production.

At the University of North Texas, students direct productions, design scenery, stage original musicals, and even participate in shows in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community.

Faculty members are drawn from several of Texas’ best professional performing arts organizations, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony, and the Dallas Opera.

In particular, jazz performance is widely recognized at the University of North Texas. The music library at the University of North Texas is one of the most extensive specialty music libraries globally, collectively housing over one million volumes of CDs, books, and periodicals.

Finally, the dance program at the school is one of the best throughout the country. The University of North Texas represents one of the very best values in higher education; not only is it our pick for the best performing arts college in the country, but it is also significantly less expensive than many other schools on this list.

University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)

Many schools are home to elite musical theatre programs, but

Cincinnati is among the very best home to elite musical theatre programs. In just the past few years, alumni of their musical theater program have been cast in many of the most successful Broadway productions, including Anastasia, Wicked, Hamilton, Chicago, and dozens more.

In fact, the last time Playbill magazine did a “Big 10” ranking of Broadway employment by alma mater, Cincinnati ranked in the top 10.

Cincinnati’s jazz program is among the most accomplished in the country. During this special partnership, students and faculty from CCM accompanied trumpet legend Wynton Marsalis during a two-week residency in Brazil.

Students in the College-Conservatory of Music benefit tremendously from the Corbett Center for the Performing Arts, a four-level facility complete with classrooms, three full dance studios, an auditorium, and even design labs.

Moreover, Cincinnati is home to many electronic media facilities for students interested in music production and radio broadcasting.

Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

It seems like every year, Indiana is ranked in the top 10 for any of its performing arts specialties in dance, theater, or music.

And, their alumni are collectively among the most decorated performing artists from any college, having won over 30 Emmy awards, six Academy Awards, and even four Tonys. See Indiana University Acceptance Rate.

The theater program at Indiana has perhaps more opportunities for stage performance than any other school.

Faculty members in theater include renowned costume designer Linda Pisano, whose work has been seen at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Opera San Antonio, Cincinnati Opera, and over a hundred more theater credits.

The opportunity for music at Indiana University is immense; eight full-scale orchestras, five jazz ensembles, six choirs, and six concert bands are available for music majors to participate.

Dance at Indiana University is regarded of the best programs in the country. Their legacy was molded, in part, by the late Violette Verdy, a longtime Indiana University faculty member and one of the most accomplished ballerinas in history.

That was all on the Best Performing Arts Colleges in the US. Was it helpful to you?

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Admin