I am an incoming junior, and I have been quite shaky on my college major for the last few months as I was debating whether to go into an academic major or hone my passion for the arts. I decided to stick with my performing arts interest and I have narrowed it down to two majors. Either BFA/BA Musical Theatre or BA/BM Music (with an emphasis in music education.) I’ve been looking at schools, and have compiled a list:
◦ New York University
◦ University of Southern California
◦ Vanderbilt University
◦ Pepperdine University
◦ UC Irvine
◦ UC San Diego
◦ Santa Clara University
◦ Rider University
◦ Syracuse University
◦ California Polytechnic University: Pomona
I was wondering if anyone had suggestions of schools to add and/or swap any of the ones on my list out for. I want to either stay in California to or go to school in New York or in that surrounding area. (Though Vanderbilt is on my list because of their exceptional program at Blair College of Music.) Thank You! 
Can your family afford the private schools?
You are just a junior. You will have plenty of time to decide.
Have you run the NPC on every school ? If not, do so. You’ll quickly notice different results. Bring the results to your parents and discuss what’s affordable for them from income and savings (in particular, how much can they set aside for you each month? $5,000? $500? They should start now and place the money in a 529 as a way of preparing for the cost of college. Most universities do not “meet need” so the more you and your parents save, the better.)
For music education, add Sonoma. If you’re competitive for all these colleges, Sonoma would be a great safety.
Note that Pepperdine is a conservative Evangelical college with mandatory chapel.
You may want to take a look at Ithaca in addition to, or as an alternative to Syracuse. Their MT and MusEd programs are both very good. If you would like to be in NY for proximity to NYC, you should know that both of those schools are a loooooong haul from the city. 
What instrument do you play (or are you a vocalist)? That might help for those making recommendations. Some schools, even very good music schools, will be stronger or weaker in certain areas depending on the professor(s) and the caliber of students they attract. Also, there may be schools that might be easily overlooked but which have an excellent prof in your area.
There is a theater/drama major forum here at CC, too, where you might get more advice on the MT side.
I don’t know anything about California schools, but hopefully others will.
I know absolutely nothing about music beyond what’s currently playing on Pandora. (John Mellencamp.)
But a friend at work graduated from Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and loved it. https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/Crane
Note that, even though it’s SUNY, it’s FAR from NYC.