The University of North Texas College of Music is the largest public-university music program in the United States, located in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1890, the college enrolls approximately 1,600 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs with a faculty of 200. UNT was the first university in the world to offer a degree in jazz studies, launching the program in 1947. The college's One O'Clock Lab Band has received 7 Grammy nominations and tours internationally. The music library, founded in 1941, holds over 300,000 volumes and approximately 900,000 sound recordings, making it one of the largest music collections in the country.
The following award-winning promotional video from the UNT College of Music won a Lone Star Emmy and two Gold Telly Awards. It introduces the college's programs, faculty, and students:
Programs and Degrees
UNT College of Music offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, plus non-degree graduate artist certificates. The college is organized across eight academic divisions:
- Jazz Studies: The first jazz degree program at the college level, established in 1947. The One O'Clock Lab Band is the flagship ensemble, with a discography spanning decades and 7 Grammy nominations. Faculty includes legendary drummer Ed Soph, who has performed with Woody Herman, Bill Evans, and Clark Terry.
- Classical Performance: Orchestral instruments, piano, voice, and guitar. Faculty includes Vladimir Viardo, gold medalist at the 1973 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and double bass educator Jeff Bradetich, who has conducted over 1,300 masterclasses worldwide.
- Music Education: Nearly all graduates secure K-12 teaching positions upon completion. More than 1,600 UNT music education alumni teach in schools across the country.
- Composition: Undergraduate and graduate programs in contemporary classical, jazz, and experimental composition, with access to the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia (CEMI).
- Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology: Doctoral programs available. The ethnomusicology division offers study of global music traditions with access to extensive field recording archives.
- Wind Studies: Led by Regents Professor Eugene Corporon, who has recorded over 1,000 works as a conductor.
The college presents over 1,000 student and faculty concerts annually across more than 70 ensembles in eight campus venues.
Admissions and Tuition
Admission to the College of Music requires two applications: first to UNT (through ApplyTexas or The Common Application, opening July 1 or August 1), then a separate College of Music application (opening September 1 for fall 2026). The College of Music acceptance rate is approximately 15 percent, accepting roughly one in six applicants.
Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year (approximately 15 credits per semester):
- In-state (Texas resident): approximately $7,000 per year
- Out-of-state: approximately $27,000 per year
The significantly lower cost for Texas residents makes UNT one of the best value propositions among major music schools in the United States. Competitive scholarships are available and can entitle recipients to pay in-state tuition rates regardless of residency.
Real-World Example
A saxophonist accepted into the jazz studies BM program for fall 2026 as a Texas resident pays approximately $7,000 in tuition per year. Over four years, total tuition comes to $28,000. The student performs in one of UNT's lab bands (there are nine, from the One O'Clock through the Nine O'Clock), studies with faculty who have performed with jazz legends, and has access to a music library with nearly one million recordings. An out-of-state student in the same program pays approximately $27,000 per year ($108,000 over four years), but if awarded a competitive scholarship that grants in-state tuition, the cost drops to the $7,000 rate. A graduate student pursuing a DMA in jazz studies pays similar rates and can apply for graduate assistantships that include tuition waivers and stipends.
Notable alumni include Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Jeff Coffin, singer Pat Boone, and Emmy Award-winning composer Kristopher Carter.
Notable Alumni
UNT College of Music graduates have built careers across jazz, classical, film scoring, and popular music:
- Jeff Coffin: Saxophonist who joined Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in 1997 and became a full-time member of the Dave Matthews Band in 2008 after the death of LeRoi Moore. Coffin graduated from UNT in 1990 with a degree in music education. He has won three Grammy Awards with the Flecktones. Here is Dave Matthews Band performing "You & Me" live at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, from the official davematthewsbandVEVO YouTube channel with over 1.5 million views:
- Pat Boone: Singer who sold over 45 million records worldwide and had 38 Top 40 hits in the 1950s and 1960s. He attended North Texas State University (now UNT) in the 1950s.
- Kristopher Carter: Emmy Award-winning composer and member of Dynamic Music Partners, known for scoring Batman: The Animated Series and other Warner Bros. animation projects.
- One O'Clock Lab Band: The flagship jazz ensemble has produced numerous professional musicians over its decades-long history. The band has 7 Grammy nominations and over 80 critically acclaimed recordings. Here the One O'Clock Lab Band performs Christian McBride's "In a Hurry," from the official University of North Texas College Concerts YouTube channel with over 134,000 views:
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
UNT is the right choice if you want a comprehensive music education at a public-university price. The jazz studies program is the oldest and one of the most respected in the country, and the One O'Clock Lab Band gives you performance experience at a professional level with recording and touring opportunities.
If cost is a factor, UNT offers exceptional value. In-state tuition at approximately $7,000 per year is a fraction of what private conservatories charge. Even out-of-state students can access this rate through competitive scholarships. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio means you get close faculty attention despite the school's size.
The music education program has a near-100 percent job placement rate for graduates seeking K-12 positions. If you want to teach music, UNT is one of the most reliable paths to employment.
The college's size means you can explore multiple areas. A jazz performance major can take composition courses, study ethnomusicology, or participate in the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia. This breadth is hard to find at smaller conservatories.
Visit the official UNT College of Music website for full audition requirements and program details.
Related Resources
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- Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning for music school graduates
- Indiana University Jacobs School of Music - Compare with another large public-university music program
- University of Michigan School of Music - Compare with another top public-university music school
- University of Texas Butler School of Music - Compare with another Texas music program
- Berklee College of Music - Compare with another school with strong jazz and contemporary programs
