If location is one of the factors you are taking into heavy consideration when choosing a music school, know that there has never been a better time to live in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). The city of Seattle is growing at a rate of 1,000 in 2017-2018 and many consider it what of the best cities in the World – not just the US. On top of that, Washington State is home to some of the best music schools in the country. If the PNW is something that deters you from choosing a school here, consider this article of the pros and cons of living in Seattle.
All of the music schools on this list have an array of different ensembles, and each has its own take on courses provided for students interested in composition, performance, music education, and theory and history.
Music Schools in WA
School of Music – University of Washington
| Student Population | 45,591 | Undergraduate Population | 30,933 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 15:1 | Type | 4-year, Public |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | City: Large |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $12,397 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $10,753 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | -$1,644 | Average Grant Money Received | $13,126 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $6,066 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 94% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 84% |
The University of Washington has great retention and graduation rates, and one of the big reasons is the location. Seattle is an amazing city and is growing at a rate of 1,000 new residents every single week! On top of this, you’ll find a mesmorizing campus, and it really is something to marvel at when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
The school has multiple famous alumni that are musicians like J.D. Parran, and the city of Seattle of itself has a vibrant music scene and impressive resume of musicians like Jimmy Hendrix. It is also constantly putting on shows for the public and being featured in the Seattle Times
Cornish College of the Arts
| Student Population | 674 | Undergraduate Population | 674 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 7:1 | Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Bacheleors | Campus Setting | City: Large |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $33,950 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $38,820 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | $4,870 | Average Grant Money Received | $18,394 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $9,078 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 74% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 48%% |
The Cornish College of the Arts is a school dedicated to the arts (and has an impressive lineup of famous alumni like Brendan Fraser, and it is evident right from the get go. When finding information about the school one of the first things they ask you to do is fill out a form that lets them get to know you better as well as some of your current music capabilities and future goals.
It is a school that advocates freedom and creativity in music. The teachers are all artists themselves, so they can relate to you in this aspect. You’ll get one on one trainging and it will feel like more than a class.
Northwest University
| Student Population | 1,226 | Undergraduate Population | 938 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 10:1 | Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Associates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | Suburb: Large |
| Campus Housing | Yes | ||
| Accredidation Status | Accredited | Tuition 2013-2014 | $25,934 |
| Tuition 2016-2017 | $29,200 | ||
| 3 Year Tuition Change | +$3,266 | Average Grant Money Received | $16,775 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $10,173 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 76% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 56% |
Northwest University is a Christian School and something that it offers that the other schools on this list do not is studying music from Christian worldview. The school also has produced a few famous alumni like Christian star Natalie Grant
If you want options in terms of what to study, then you have a great option in Northwest University where you can choose to study the classics or something more modern. NU can create opportunities for a career in Seattle’s rich musical scene and beyond.
University of Puget Sound
| Student Population | 1,226 | Undergraduate Population | 938 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 10:1 | Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Associates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | Suburb: Large |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $25,934 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $29,200 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | +$3,266 | Average Grant Money Received | $16,775 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $10,173 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 76% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 56% |
It’s always a good sign when your music school actually has a day dedicated to music. They are known for things like this as well as having a very progressive sustainability program. The location is also a huge plus because it is in Seattle, but in an area that is not too busy or overcrowded (as the traffic in Seattle can be pretty bad
The school offers music scholarships on the basis of an audition, so if you are feeling confident, you might want to check it out!
Western Washington University
| Student Population | 15,574 | Undergraduate Population | 14,592 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 18:1 | Type | 4-year, Public |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | City: Small |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $8,863 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $7,903 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | -$960 | Average Grant Money Received | $6,732 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $5,998 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 82% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 69% |
Located about an hour north of Seattle in Bellingham, WA is Western Washington University. The University offers a straightforward cirriculum and has one general and five professional undergraduate programs.
Performance, history & literature, composition, and music literature are some of the undergraduate programs that you can choose from and there is a heavy focus on each of these individual major areas.
Like most other music schools, one of the requirements is an audition, so if you are considering, be sure to practice your rendition before hand.
Whitman University
| Student Population | 1,493 | Undergraduate Population | 1,493 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 9:1 | Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Degrees Awarded | Bacheleors | Campus Setting | City: Small |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $43,500 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $47,862 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | +$4,362 | Average Grant Money Received | $25,630 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $5,471 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 94% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 88% |
If you are looking for a more classical approach to music, then Whitman University is one of your better options. The music college focuses on the arts side of things.
Whitman’s music department has three different types of paths. Students on the path to complete performance track, jazz track, or standard degree will end their senior year with a recital. Students on the music history or music theory track will have to write a senior thesis, and students on the composition track will be expected to complete a senior project (which will be related to their original compositions).
The focus on advanced work in performance, research, and composition results in students often being placed world renowned graduate programs.
Shoreline Community College
| Student Population | 5,805 | Undergraduate Population | 5,805 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 16:1 | Type | 2-year, Public |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Associates | Campus Setting | Suburb: Large |
| Campus Housing | No | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $3,987 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $3,735 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | -$252 | Average Grant Money Received | $5,371 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $4,243 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 66% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 42% |
Want to save money? Community colleges offer an affordable solution to completing your goals. And when it comes to community colleges and music education, Shoreline Community College is at the top.
It has the largest faculty group of any community College in Washington State and offers a full range of music studies. The school seperates in programs into two main categories to choose from: Music and Music Technology.
Washington State University
| Student Population | 30,142 | Undergraduate Population | 24,904 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 15:1 | Type | 4-year, Public |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | Town: Distant |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $12,327 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $11,041 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | -$1,286 | Average Grant Money Received | $9,368 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $6,999 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 79% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 67% |
The department of music at WSU is one of the more longstanding programs in the State as it started in the very beginning of the 20th century in 1901. They have pretty much had international renowned faculty members since that time.
Another bright spot in their cirriculum is the Jazz studies program. They were recognized as a top school in the field in March of 2017 by the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Central Washington University
| Student Population | 11,971 | Undergraduate Population | 11,119 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty population | 20:1 | Type | 4-year, Public |
| Degrees Awarded | Certificates, Bacheleors, Masters | Campus Setting | Town: Distant |
| Campus Housing | Yes | Accredidation Status | Accredited |
| Tuition 2013-2014 | $8,976 | Tuition 2016-2017 | $7,719 |
| 3 Year Tuition Change | -$1,257 | Average Grant Money Received | $7,749 |
| Average Student Loan Aid Received | $5,664 | Retention Rate (Full-time) | 76% |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 52% |
The school has a mission within the community to achieve “the highest standards of musical knowledge, performance, and teaching.” One of the highlights is their affinity towards music education. The college is a leader in K-12 music education, however, the school promises to treat each degree in every one of their programs with equal value – which to us sounds like this school is the “Mom” of Washington music schools.