From New York to Northridge, this comprehensive list showcases the institutions that are shaping the future of composition across all media. With a focus on technology and traditional craftsmanship, these schools offer unique opportunities for aspiring composers to thrive.

Uncover the Best Music Schools for Aspiring Composers

The Juilliard School

Juilliard's reputation remains unrivaled, with the Center for Creative Technology led by Edward Bilous. Over two dozen students study composing for visual media and scoring to picture. The Art of the Score program allows students to create original music for short films worldwide. This year, they celebrated the 25th year of the Music Technology Center with the Future Stages Festival. The school is also expanding to include composing for immersive experiences. In February, a live collaboration between New York and Tianjin campuses took place.Tuition at Juilliard is $54,400. Notable alumni include Andrea Datzman (Inside Out 2) and Jongnic Bontemps (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts). These students are equipped with the skills to create music that transcends boundaries.

USC Thornton School of Music

USC Thornton combines conservatory education with a close relationship with the entertainment industry. Jeanine Cowen, chair of the Screen Scoring program, emphasizes the opportunities for students to work with professionals. Bear McCreary, an alumnus, attests to the school's value. The tuition is $69,904, and notable alumni are Benjamin Wallfisch (Twisters) and Jason Graves (Gran Turismo).Students here have the chance to immerse themselves in the world of media composition and gain practical experience.

Berklee College of Music

Sean McMahon, chair of the Berklee Screen Scoring program, continuously enhances the media scoring game. The program offers bachelor degrees in film and media scoring and game and interactive media scoring. Berklee has partnered with Red Bull and will launch the world's first master degree in music supervision.With a tuition of $50,540, notable alumni like Jan Hammer (Miami Vice) and Trey Parker (South Park) have made their mark in the industry.

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia's two-year master of fine arts program in music composition for the screen, led by Kubilay Uner, focuses on full-length film, television, and video game scoring. Students have internships and thesis projects recorded by a 70-piece orchestra. The program also features composers-in-residence.Tuition is $32,316, and notable alumni include Austin Deadman (Hamilton) and Jonathan McReynolds (Grammy-nominated gospel musician).

The Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Oberlin's liberal arts and conservatory training provide double-major opportunities. This fall, they debuted a recording arts and production major.Tuition is $66,410, and notable alumni are Mark Cohn (singer songwriter) and John Kander (Chicago, Cabaret).

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music

SFCM's technology and applied composition degree program has a film scoring track. Students start with digital audio workstations and sample libraries to write and produce music for various ensembles.Tuition is $54,400, and notable alumni are John Adams and Gordon Getty (concert composers).

UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

UCLA Extension offers a certificate in film scoring suitable for composers looking to expand their skills. Students learn about scoring for different media and essential technologies.Tuition is $15,154, and notable alumni are Randy Newman (Toy Story) and James Horner (Titanic).

The New England Conservatory of Music

NEC, one of the oldest conservatories, keeps students updated with its music technology concentration and Robert Ceely Electronic Music Studio. Conrad Pope has returned to speak to students.Tuition is $58,910, and notable alumni are Carl Davis (The French Lieutenant’s Woman) and Stephanie Economou (About My Father).

Eastman School of Music

Eastman's Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media offers a two-year master's program limited to six students. This year, they added a recording and mixing class taught by Stephen Roessner. The seventh Visual Music concert will feature an original score.Tuition is $65,870, and notable alumni are Yixin Huang (Johnny Keep Walking!) and Garett Reynolds (House of the Dragon).

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Jacobs' music scoring program offers various degrees and minors. The immersive scoring for episodic television course in Los Angeles is taught by Rick Marvin.Tuition is $40,369, and notable alumni are David Baker (jazz composer) and Alexandra du Bois (concert composer).

Film Scoring Academy of Europe

FSAE offers a one-year master's degree or an eight-month online graduate degree. Former Disney music executive Andy Hill runs the academy, and Danny Elfman premiered his Cello Concerto here.Tuition is 36,950 euros ($39,000), and notable alumni are Michael Drew (Dome House Six) and Seiji Hotta (Rick and Morty: Samurai & Shogun).

New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development

NYU students can spend a semester abroad at international campuses. The Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring programs offer bachelor and master degrees.Tuition is $31,398, and notable alumni are Ariel Marx (A Small Light) and Herdís Stefánsdóttir (Knock at the Cabin).

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

After 26 years, the film music composition master's program has been integrated into the college's school of music. Chris Heckman is working on an undergraduate degree.Tuition is $24,399, and notable alumni are Terrence Mann (theater director, Cats singer) and Atli Örvarsson (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Yale School of Music

Under the direction of dean José García-León, Yale is a prestigious traditional conservatory with a low acceptance rate. The media production department and recording studios offer various studies.Tuition is $39,500, and full-tuition scholarships are available. Notable alumni are Roger Sessions and David Snow (classical composers).

Belmont University

Belmont University, based in Nashville, offers master of music degrees in composition and commercial music and a master of science degree in audio engineering. Keith Mason emphasizes media scoring.Tuition is $42,540, and notable alumni are country artists Trisha Yearwood and Pam Tillis.

Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia CNY's visual arts program collaborates with the Computer Music Center to offer a two-year sound art MFA program. Students explore new media with a diverse community.Tuition is $74,846, and notable alumni are Jason Everman (guitarist, Nirvana) and Art Garfunkel.

Musicians Institute, Los Angeles

The Composition for Visual Media program at Musicians Institute offers various degrees and courses. Students learn the basics and can pursue advanced studies.Tuition is $32,400 for bachelor's degrees. Notable alumni are Justin Derrico (Pink touring band member) and Frank Gambale (Grammy-winning songwriter).

Cal State Northridge

Cal State Northridge's music department offers master's degrees in composition and conducting. The bachelor's program has different concentrations.Tuition is $7,458, and notable alumni are Troy Glass (rapper) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down).

Los Angeles College of Music

LACM offers a master's degree in composing for visual media with unique classes. Chair James Sale adds specific courses to enhance students' skills.Tuition is $27,000, and notable alumni are Mark Wayne Salling (Glee) and Drew Louis (RuPaul's Drag Race).

Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program

The Seattle Film Institute's program offers a professional certificate in film and media scoring. Students work on projects and earn a master's degree in 40 weeks.Tuition is $35,000, and notable alumni are Antonio Di Iorio (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) and Michael Paraskevas (Agatha All Along).