Florida State University College of Music is the third-largest university-based music program in the United States, located in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 1947, it offers bachelor's through doctoral degrees across 18 areas of study including performance, jazz, composition, music education, music therapy, and music industry, with 12,000-plus alumni in 26 countries.
Here is an alumni story from the FSU College of Music YouTube channel featuring Mykal Kilgore, who studied at FSU and went on to a career as a recording artist and performer:
Programs and Degrees
FSU College of Music offers Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The 18 areas of study include brass, keyboard, strings, percussion, woodwinds, voice and opera, jazz, theory and composition, conducting, musicology, music education, music therapy, music industry, music theatre, community music, arts administration, entrepreneurship, and piano technology.
In 2026, the college launched a new Dance Accompanying Certificate in partnership with the FSU School of Dance, expanding cross-disciplinary opportunities for pianists and keyboardists.
The faculty includes Grammy winners, a former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer (Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Music), and a former leading tenor of the Metropolitan Opera. Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and opera composer Carlisle Floyd, whose opera Susannah premiered at FSU, are among the notable faculty members associated with the college.
Notable Alumni
- Jamison Ross (BA '10) - Drummer, vocalist, and producer. He won the 2012 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Drum Competition. In 2025, he secured his first Grammy as a producer on Best Progressive R&B Album winner So Glad to Know You by Avery*Sunshine. He has released two albums on Concord Jazz: his Grammy-nominated 2015 debut Jamison and the follow-up All For One. Here is the official video for "Safe In The Arms Of Love" from the Concord Records YouTube channel:
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Ryan Reynolds (DM '17) - Composer who won the 2024 Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for Are We Dreaming the Same Dream, performed by the Akropolis Reed Quintet. He competed against artists including Andre 3000, Bela Fleck, and the late Chick Corea.
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Dr. Jeffrey Redding - Holds both a doctorate and master's degree from the FSU College of Music. He received the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award. In February 2025, he conducted a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, leading 125 high school students from the Greater New Orleans area as part of the NFL's celebration of the hymn's 125th anniversary. He serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida.
Here is another alumni story from the FSU College of Music YouTube channel, featuring Emily Eubanks:
Notable Faculty: Marcus Roberts
Marcus Roberts, Professor of Jazz Piano at FSU, is widely considered one of the preeminent American jazz pianists of his generation. He earned his B.A. from Florida State University and has completed over 30 recordings, whether solo piano, with trio, big band, or symphony orchestra. His 1996 recording Portraits in Blue was the first to present jazz improvisation within a traditional classical setting. He has had a long collaborative relationship with Wynton Marsalis, performing together in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and at Harvard University. Here is Marsalis's Harvard lecture "At the Speed of Instinct," where Roberts performs on piano with the quintet, from the official Wynton Marsalis YouTube channel:
Admissions and Tuition
Undergraduate applicants must apply to both FSU and the College of Music separately. The music application requires an audition in the student's primary instrument or voice area. Admission is competitive, with the college selecting based on musical ability and academic record.
As a public university, FSU offers relatively affordable tuition compared to private conservatories. For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, in-state undergraduate tuition is approximately $5,666 per year, while out-of-state tuition is approximately $21,683 per year. Graduate tuition follows similar in-state and out-of-state rate structures.
The college offers assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships for graduate students, including teaching assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend.
Real-World Example
An in-state FSU undergraduate music therapy student pays roughly $5,666 per year in tuition. Over four years, that totals approximately $22,664. FSU was one of the first universities in the nation to offer a music therapy program. A graduate with a music therapy degree from FSU can pursue board certification and work in clinical settings, with starting salaries typically ranging from $45,000 to $60,000 depending on location and setting. Compare this total tuition cost to a private conservatory charging $50,000 or more per year.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
FSU College of Music provides a large-program conservatory experience at public-university pricing. If you are an independent artist seeking formal training without taking on significant debt, the in-state tuition rate makes this one of the most affordable comprehensive music programs in the United States.
The music industry program is worth noting for independent artists. It covers recording, publishing, artist management, and live event production, giving students practical business skills alongside musical training. The music therapy program is one of the oldest in the nation and offers a career path that combines musical skills with healthcare employment.
For jazz musicians, the program's connection to Marcus Roberts and the annual jazz festivals provides performance opportunities and mentorship from working professionals.
Visit the official FSU College of Music website for audition requirements and application deadlines.
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory - Compare FSU with other music schools
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue while studying
- 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Income strategies for music students
- Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning after graduation
Related Schools
- University of North Texas College of Music - Another large public university music program
- University of Texas Butler School of Music - Large public music program for comparison
- University of Miami Frost School of Music - Another Florida music school
- Belmont University - University with a music industry program
- Indiana University Jacobs School of Music - Large university music program for comparison
