Are you interested in pursuing a degree in musical theatre? For your help, here we’ve compiled a list of the “Best Musical Theatre Colleges” to help you to find the best college for Musical Theatre programs that make your career high.
These are the top universities or colleges for Musical Theatre in the U.S., based on their reputation and research in the field. Discover our full list to find out the best college in this renowned field which is suitable for your bright future. Good Luck!!
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is the state’s oldest university, founded in 1817 in Detroit. Its Department of Musical Theatre is renowned as one of the top musical theatre programs in the world. It offers young performers the unparalleled opportunity to receive a premier university education along with intense, conservatory-style training. The Department faculty comprises seasoned industry professionals and the field’s top pedagogues, and the student body reflects the diversity of our country and the world.
Founded In: 1817
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $45,410 per year
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 734.764.0593
Website: http://smtd.umich.edu/departments/musical-theatre/
University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
The University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music is the performing arts college of the University of Cincinnati and is one of the nation’s leading music conservatories. The College-Conservatory of Music offers a wide array of postgraduate, graduate, and undergraduate degrees in music. Doctor of Music Education (DME) degrees are no longer offered. It also offers Ph.D. programs in musicology, music history, and music theory. The musical theater program at CCM is the oldest bachelor’s degree-granting program in the U.S., the most selective program at the University of Cincinnati, and is considered to be one of the top programs in the nation.
Founded In: 1867
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $6,395.00
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 513-556-6638
Website: http://www.ccm.uc.edu/
Elon University
If you have your sights set on performing in music theatre, Elon will prepare you for the spotlight. Elon is a selective, mid-sized private university renowned as a national model for engaged and experiential learning. The music theatre program is an intensive course of study and performance, focused on providing you with the knowledge, experience and professional exposure you need to build a successful career on stage or in graduate school. Elon offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music theatre. The music theatre program admits 16 to 20 new students each year.
Founded In: 1889
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $32,685
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 336.278.2000
Website: https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/arts-and-sciences/performing-arts/majors-minors/music-theatre-facts/
Carnegie Mellon University- College of Fine Arts
Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts (CFA), a community of nationally and internationally recognized artists and professionals within a unique constellation of five professional schools. Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama is the oldest degree-granting drama school in the United States and is recognized as an international leader in the arts and technology. It’s the musical theatre program has consistently produced incredibly successful performers, Tony-Award winners, and brilliant artists.
Founded In: 1900
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $67,980
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (412) 268-2082
Website: http://www.cfa.cmu.edu/pages/school-of-drama
Boston Conservatory
Founded in 1866, the Conservatory offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees, as well as Graduate Performance Diplomas, Artist Diplomas, and Professional Studies Certificates. Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s musical theater program is recognized internationally for training leading artists on and off Broadway, on television, and in the film. Its musical theater students are driven by the desire to shape the future of the art form and inspire generations of actors, dancers, singers, and theatergoers.
Founded In: 1866
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $2,275
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 617-536-6340
Website: https://bostonconservatory.berklee.edu/musical-theater
Tisch School of the Arts
The New York University Tisch School of the Arts is a center of study in the performing and media arts. Musical theatre option is for those students who want to use their undergraduate experience to study musical theatre. It is for those students for whom Tisch Drama is their overriding objective. These candidates will be considered for placement in the musical theatre studio first.
Founded In: 1965
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: 49,962 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 212-998-1900
Website: https://tisch.nyu.edu/drama/admissions/how-to-apply/artistic-review-guidelines/music-theatre
Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
Baldwin Wallace University is a private, liberal arts-based College offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, certificates and professional education programs. Boesel Musical Arts Center is a picturesque four-building complex that houses BW’s Conservatory of Music. Through the program, you’ll earn a Bachelor of Music degree as well as acquire professional insights and skills. The Center offers outstanding professional networking and hands-on learning opportunities to students of every major.
Founded In: 1899
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Not Known
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (440) 826-2368
Website: https://www.bw.edu/academics/undergraduate/music-theatre/
Florida State University
Florida State University is a senior member of the State University System of Florida that was founded in 1851. The FSU College of Music’s Music Theatre Program is designed to create music theatre performers who are truly “triple threats” and who are prepared to work professionally when they have completed the program. The regular music theatre productions, music theatre students are encouraged to perform in as many venues as possible. The FSU College of Music offers a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Music Theatre). Separately, the College of Fine Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre. The BFA in Music Theatre is a highly competitive program that prepares graduates for rewarding careers in the theatre and related fields.
Founded In: 1851
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $22,575
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 850-644-3424
Website: https://music.fsu.edu/programs/performance/music-theatre
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is best known for its large list of alumni who have played substantial roles in the media and entertainment industries. Ithaca College’s highly competitive BFA in Musical Theatre is an intensive, performance-oriented training program in acting, singing, and dancing designed to develop and strengthen the skills. As musical theatre majors progress through their freshman and sophomore years, they are regularly evaluated by theatre, dance, and music faculty through singing and acting reviews, and assessment of dance and music coursework.
Founded In: 1892
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $43,978
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (607) 274-3011
Website: https://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/theatre/programs/mustheater/
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University is a state-related, land-grant, doctoral university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is one of several professional training programs offered by the School of Theatre at Penn State. The program’s mission is simple – to train students so that they may compete successfully in the professional musical theatre. Its faculty is made up of artists dedicated to both the profession of theatre performance and musical theatre training.
Founded In: 1855
Ranking: 10th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: Not Known
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (814) 865 7586
Website: https://theatre.psu.edu/programs/musical-theatre
