Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is a public music school at Indiana University Bloomington, founded in 1921. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the United States, with over 1,600 students, 210 faculty members, and more than 70 degree programs. The school offers degrees from bachelor's through doctoral levels across performance, jazz, composition, music education, musicology, conducting, music business, audio engineering, and ballet. The undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 25 percent, with each freshman class enrolling about 200 new students. The 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides individualized attention despite the school's size.

Programs and Degrees

Jacobs offers the following degrees:

Undergraduate:

• Bachelor of Music (BM): Performance (orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar, organ, harp), composition, jazz studies, and historical performance.
• Bachelor of Music Education (BME): K-12 teaching certification in choral, instrumental, or general music.
• Bachelor of Science (BS): In music and an outside field, allowing students to combine music with another academic discipline.
• Bachelor of Science in an Outside Field (BSOF): A unique Indiana University program available in select areas, letting students pair music with fields like business, computer science, or languages.

Graduate:

• Master of Music (MM): Performance, composition, conducting, jazz studies, musicology, and music education.
• Master of Arts (MA): Musicology and music theory.
• Doctor of Music (DM): Performance and composition.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Musicology and music theory.
• Performer's Certificate and Artist's Diploma: Advanced performance credentials.

The opera program is one of the most extensive in the country, having presented more than 500 productions since 1948. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Opera Theater produces five operas and one musical each year, ranging from standard repertoire (Mozart, Puccini, Verdi) to contemporary works by composers like Jake Heggie and Mason Bates.

The school is home to two contemporary music ensembles: the New Music Ensemble (founded 1975, directed by David Dzubay) and NOTUS, a 24-voice choir specializing in contemporary choral repertoire (directed by Dominick DiOrio).

Admissions and Tuition

Application deadlines for fall 2027:

• IU application (or Common Application): November 1 (February 1 for Music Business)
• Jacobs School Supplemental Application: December 1 (February 1 for Music Business)
• Application fees: $65 (IU) plus $50 (JSOM supplemental)
• Prescreening materials: December 1

Admission is by live or recorded audition only. The overall acceptance rate is approximately 25 percent for undergraduates and 30 percent for graduate students, though rates vary significantly between programs. Decisions are sent by April 1.

Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year (full-time undergraduate):

• Indiana resident tuition and fees: $12,142
• Music program differential: $2,508
• Total in-state tuition and fees: approximately $14,650
• Nonresident tuition and fees: $42,702
• Nonresident total with music differential: approximately $45,210
• Housing and food: $14,398
• Total cost of attendance (in-state): approximately $30,574
• Total cost of attendance (out-of-state): approximately $62,956

More than 80 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. No separate scholarship application is required. Indiana University students receive more than $280 million annually in federal financial aid, and more than half of Jacobs students receive need-based federal aid.

Real-World Example

A violinist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 who is an Indiana resident pays approximately $14,650 in tuition and fees plus $14,398 for housing and food, totaling $29,048 per year. Over four years, the student pays approximately $116,192 for the full cost of attendance. If the student receives a Jacobs merit scholarship covering 50 percent of tuition ($7,325), net tuition drops to $7,325 per year, and the four-year total falls to approximately $87,092. The student performs in one of the school's orchestras, studies with faculty from the string department, and has access to facilities including the Musical Arts Center (one of the largest opera stages in the country), the Simon Music Center, and the William and Gayle Cook Music Library.

An out-of-state student faces $45,210 in tuition and fees plus $14,398 for housing and food, totaling $59,608 per year. Over four years, the out-of-state student pays approximately $238,432 without scholarship support. With a 50 percent merit scholarship ($22,605), net tuition drops to $22,605 per year, and the four-year total falls to approximately $148,012.

Notable alumni include violinist Joshua Bell, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker, jazz educator Jamey Aebersold, drummer Kenny Aronoff, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, soprano Sylvia McNair, pianist Jeremy Denk, and violinist Miriam Fried.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Jacobs is the right choice if you want a world-class conservatory education at a fraction of the cost of private schools. In-state tuition of approximately $14,650 per year (including the music differential) makes it one of the most affordable top-tier music schools in the United States. Even out-of-state students at approximately $45,210 pay less than they would at Eastman ($71,750), Juilliard ($57,200), or USC Thornton ($75,384).

The school's size is both a strength and a weakness. With over 1,600 students and 70-plus programs, you have access to a wider range of ensembles, degree options, and faculty than at smaller conservatories. The opera program alone produces five operas and a musical each year. The BSOF program lets you combine music with an outside field, which is valuable if you want career flexibility beyond performing.

The size also means more competition for performance opportunities and less individualized attention than at a school like Curtis (150 students) or Colburn (120 students). You will need to be proactive about securing performance slots and building relationships with faculty.

Bloomington is a college town in southern Indiana. It has a strong local music scene but is not a major music industry market. If you want access to a major city's music industry, consider schools in NYC, LA, or Nashville. However, the lower cost of living in Bloomington is a financial advantage.

The 25 percent acceptance rate makes Jacobs more accessible than Curtis (4 percent), Juilliard (7 percent), or Rice (15 percent). You still need strong audition material, but the larger class size (200 per year) gives you better odds.

Visit the official Jacobs School website for full audition requirements and program details.

Potential Drawbacks

• Large school: Over 1,600 students means more competition for solos, ensemble placements, and faculty attention.
• Bloomington location: A college town, not a major music industry market. Limited access to professional gigs and internships compared to NYC, LA, or Nashville.
• Out-of-state cost: At $45,210 per year, out-of-state tuition is still significant, though lower than most private conservatories.
• Bureaucracy: As part of a large public university, you will deal with more administrative complexity than at a standalone conservatory.

Related Resources

• Music Schools Directory - Compare Jacobs with other music schools
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue while studying
• Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate splits for co-writing sessions
• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning for music school graduates