Dubspot, New York

With bicoastal learning labs that give students complete access to mixing and sound equipment, dubspot is one of the country's foremost institutions for learning music and media technologies. The school's course list covers everything from DJing to sound design. Class sizes of 10 people or less ensure each student gets plenty of one-on-one instruction, which is fortunate since the instructors have plenty of wisdom to offer. Their ranks include a Grammy-nominated producer and a sound designer for the Oscar-winning animated film Wall-E.

Even when they're not in class, students have access to the lab facilities six days a week. Those unable to attend courses in person at the New York or LA schools can also enroll online, an option which gives them access to instructional videos for up to one year or until their computer gets old enough to move out on its own.