<p>I would like to know what college/university has the best music business/industry program. The University of Southern California is my 1st choice, but I am also looking at Belmont Universtiy, University of Miami, and NYU. I know that NYU and Belmont U are the top two Music Business schools, but I want to know which one will help me the most to get a connection into the music industry, like networking.</p>
<p>Can you narrow down what you mean by “music business/industry” program a bit? What area interests you the most and where can you see yourself working in 10 years?</p>
<p>SUNY Oneonta</p>
<p>California State: Northridge</p>
<p>William Paterson University</p>
<p>.These are all MUCH CHEAPER and just as much opportunity for connections as the 3 you mentioned. They all involving performing in their degrees as well. William Paterson is right near NYC…15 min train ride. Northridge is about 20 minute from L.A. so each school could be great for you. </p>
<p>NYU, UMiami, USC as well as Belmont have the bell and whistles of being in HUGE schools…so it will be much more competitive and expensive to get your foot in the door, you might not get as much individual attention. Particular with belmont i heard it can be over rated, but I am no expertise on that school. My vote for the best alternative is William Paterson I’ve met some very succesful music majors from there and it just has a great vibe in general. I am considering music business for grad school so I’ve been doing my research as well. You might also want to check out Uarts in philadelphia as well as Columbia College chicago! 
hope this helps</p>
<p>I see myself as a Music Producer in 10 years. I thought that would be under the Music Business program.</p>
<p>Thank You! djalabingo</p>
<p>bingo,
USC in Los Angeles is a private university. While it is large the faculty student ratio is 1/9. In the Thornton School of Music it is 1/6. The entire freshmen class in Thornton is under 150. Classes are small and there is much personal attention.</p>
<pre><code>The location of the university in the heart of a huge entertainment industry lends itself to internships through the alumni “Trojan Family” and opportunities to connect with important individuals in the music industry. Another plus for music industry students at SC is the interaction among Thornton School of Music, School of Dramatic Arts and the School of Cinematic Arts. An interesting aspect is the relationship with the highly successful computer science/games majors and the interactive entertainment majors.
With the opening of two Metro stations at the edges of the SC campus Los Angeles Symphony concerts, major museums, art galleries, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and other cultural venues are only a few moments away.
</code></pre>
<p>yeah I’m looking at william paterson in NJ too. I met an undergrad there and a woman getting her MBA. Internships right in NYC only 1/2 hr. away</p>
<p>LuckyLuc,</p>
<p>I’m not sure if a Music Business Industry Major is exactly the best major for that field. I know that some schools have Music Technology or Music Production Majors. That is more on the lines of where you would need to major. Also, make sure you keep your options in mind. It may not be reasonable to spend $30,000 / year for a fancy Music Tech major at a school that does not have a great Music department; you may want to consider some Audio/Music Tech Schools (btw, these are not colleges that give out B.A, B.S or B.F.A). Also, if you do go with the Music Industry/Business Major, keep in mind that to be more skilled and marketable in that field, you may want to go into Law School and study Entertainment Law.</p>
<p>As a current USC student with some background in music, I cannot recommend Thornton highly enough. It’s a wonderful school. As for Music Industry specifically, USC has two “tracks.” There is the BM track (which is like a music major with an industry emphasis) which requires 132 units as opposed to the standard 128 and involves music training in an instrument (one you already know–you have to audition to get in!) and industry training. My understanding is that it is really meant for people who are of regular BM caliber who want to add this industry component. </p>
<p>The second track is the BS track. The BS can be either technology-track (more like you, I guess) or industry-track, but they take the same core classes and different electives. There are still some basic musical training classes (like introductory keyboard), but there are also business classes. One of my close friends is a BS student and she really likes the program. Her internship has also been really wonderful in helping her understand the field better (and, BTW, the BS requires an internship). Looking over the faculty list, I actually recognize one of the names from personal experience (he produced several albums I was on!) and the networking opportunities he brought towards the group in which I was involved were pretty impressive. </p>
<p>Regarding Belmont, I know very little about it, but I know two people who went through the performance program there and thought it was very comprehensive. I just don’t know enough about it to compare it to USC.</p>
<p>@lucky…if you want to be a music producer…again william paterson has a program for that but i think an even more connected one is the Frost School of MUSic at the university of miami. </p>
<p>@wireless is your friend getting an MBA in music management, if so I have some questions for her :)</p>