• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an 8 percent increase in the demand for musicians, singers and related workers from 2008 through 2018. Competition for jobs in the music industry is high, and formal training is usually necessary to find employment. A number of colleges in Washington, D.C. offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, and some of these institutions are among the top-rated universities in the United States.
  
  

Howard University

• Established in 1867, Howard University is the largest historically-Black college with more than 10,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The college received the 104th-place ranking in the "Best Colleges 2011" ratings from "U.S. News and World Report." The university offers bachelor's degrees in performance, music education, music therapy, jazz studies, music history and literature, theory and composition and music business. The school has accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Music and requires an audition for enrollment. Master's degrees in music performance and music education also are granted. Famous music alumni from the university include singers Jessye Norman and Roberta Flack, pianist Geri Allen and composer Adolphus Hailstork. Around 71 percent of freshmen and 75 percent of continuing students receive some form of financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Special scholarships are available for music majors.
  
  Howard University
  
  2400 6th St. N.W.
  
  Washington, DC 20059
  
  202-806-2700
  
  howard.edu
  
  

Catholic University of America

• The Roman Catholic Church founded the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1887, and since that time, the school has grown to an enrollment of more than 6,700 undergraduate and graduate students. The college received the 120th-place ranking among all universities in the United States in the "Best Colleges 2011" ratings from "U.S. News and World Report." The university's Benjamin T. Rome School of Music grants bachelor's degrees in composition, music education, music history and literature and musical theater. Baccalaureate performance degrees in orchestral instruments, organ, piano and voice are offered as well. The college also awards master's and doctorate degrees. Auditions are mandatory for admission to the college. Each year, students have the opportunity to participate in approximately 200 performances. Around 98 percent of freshmen and 93 percent of continuing students benefit from financial aid while studying at the Catholic University of America, explains the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Music scholarships are available.
  
  Catholic University of America
  
  620 Michigan Ave. N.E.
  
  Washington, DC 20064
  
  800-673-2772
  
  cua.edu
  
  

The George Washington University

• A private, nonsectarian institution, The George Washington University has an enrollment of more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. "U.S. News and World Report" awarded the college the 51st-place ranking among all universities in the United States in its "Best Colleges 2011." The Department of Music features a Bachelor of Arts in music program, which allows students to specialize in theory and musicianship, music history and literature or music performance. All students must take a course in music theory and piano prior to graduation. A senior research or creative project is required for graduation. Auditions are mandatory for admission. The university does not offer graduate programs in music. About 38 percent of all students at The George Washington University ae financial aid recipients, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."
  
  The George Washington University
  
  2121 I St. N.W.
  
  Washington, DC 20052
  
  202-994-6040
  
  gwu.edu