BA Music at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Programme overview

The BA in Music, offered through the School of Arts and Sciences, gives a grounding in music fundamentals within a broad, multidisciplinary education. Students in Business, SEBS and Engineering may add the music major to their own programme.

Faculty: Mason Gross School of the Arts / School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Music | Duration: 41 credits in music (BA); minor 18 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Brunswick, NJ, United States

What you will study

Declaring requires basic music theory courses; SAS students also complete the SAS core and a minor. A Music Technology minor is available (digital audio, audio composition, recording and mixing).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Rutgers University-New Brunswick first-year applicants: at least 16 academic units in high school (subject lists vary by school); SAT/ACT submission is optional; online application, essay, application fee and self-reported transcript (STARS) required; applicants educated outside the US in a country where English is not the principal language must submit an English proficiency exam (IELTS minimum 6.5 for New Brunswick).

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Fall (September) entry: first-year Early Action application due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision due December 1, 2026 for September 2027 entry; Spring (January) entry for 2027 is open to first-year and transfer applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, with an application due date of October 1, 2026.

New Brunswick, Fall/September 2027: first-year Early Action November 1, 2026 (decision by January 31, 2027); first-year Regular Decision December 1, 2026 (decision by February 28, 2027); all transfer applicants February 1, 2027; candidate reply date May 1, 2027. Applications after the due dates are considered on a rolling, space-available basis. Applicants must apply by December 1 to be considered for honors and merit-based scholarships.

New Brunswick, Spring/January 2027: all first-year and transfer applications due October 1, 2026; online decision December 1, 2026; candidate reply date December 7, 2026.

Applications are submitted through the Rutgers Application or the Common App. SAT and ACT scores are optional for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate applicants (SAT code 2765, ACT code 2592); Rutgers maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2027. Application fee is paid online by credit card or by mailed check; fee waivers are accepted from the National School Lunch Program, military or veteran applicants, College Board, NACAC, ACT and EOF.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply

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