If you want to become a singer would it be better to go to a college that focuses on arts, or just a regular college that has things to do with music and singing?

That's a very personal decision. As you know, you don't need a degree to be a singer. However, the training, experiences and contacts you make in college may go a long way to assist you in your career. And you have to consider what you want out of college and whether you had planned to try to live on campus somewhere or commute from home. It also depends on the genre of music you are interested in. My (very personal) opinion would be to go to a liberal arts college or a university with a well respected, well endowed, music department and a good theater department. You'll get training, have accomplished professors and meet and play with other students from all walks of life (and in different majors). You also might get an opportunity to study abroad which is a great opportunity for music students. The non-music course you'll take will make you well rounded and, if you become a successful musician -- or a star- you will be able to read and understand contracts and will not be intimidated by the lawyers, managers, studio owners, public relations people, etc. you'll deal with. It is helpful to be near a major city so that you can get performing experience and see other musicians and draw from the professional musicians in the area. But again, it is a very personal decision.

Here are two things to consider. Either way, if you are seriously considering earning a music degree, you should already be preparing for that regardless of the college you choose.
If you are accepted to a state college or university, you will spend your first two years completing your core requirements and maybe taking some introductory music classes, which you could also take at a community college and transfer to a four-year school. What you really must consider, though, is competition. Depending on the school, you may have to compete with students who are performing at a near professional level before they apply. And if you choose a Fine Arts College or a Music Conservatory, such as Cal Arts or Berklee School of Music, the competition will be even greater.
So what I am saying is that you must decide now what you feel you are capable of and how hard you are willing to work to succeed before you can realistically choose which college may find you a worthy candidate.

Best of luck to you.

You want to go to a Music Conservatory. There are some tailored to instrumental musicians and some with a focus on voice and some which do both well. Some are very selective and expensive, while others are very selective and free. The key is you must be a good singer going in, you need to study some languages common to the opera world and you must be able to sight read and sing those notes on demand to get into any legitimate Conservatory for voice. Ability to play piano and other instruments is also highly recommended. It's a lot of hard work!

The good news is, you can basically get prepared and very competitive for basically no money. It's about learning and practicing...and all the things I've mentioned are available through libraries, internships and the internet.

Last but not least, just any Conservatory won't do! The music business is all about who you know and network with. Random programs at state schools and schools with no really significant ties to the film, TV, and recording industry can't help you get a real job in the business. Go to just any school and you'll end up being the most musical nobody pushing paper at an insurance office or something akin to it. Lesson: Go big or go home!

Hello Angel,
What your question does not include is what kind, genre, of music. If you over school your voice and you want to be a roots, blues or folk based singer then stay away from vocal classes. If you are looking at opera a conservatory is how you need to go, pop/R&B, you'll want coaching. You should study music theory none the less. I do highly recommend you take classes on both the business and legal aspects of the entertainment industry. The B&L side of entertainment is not even close to B&L in any other industry. The more you know the better your chances of success.

It all depends what you want to do. If you want a career teaching music, then getting your degree from a music school is the way to go. You will need to face the realities of being able to earn a living as a musician once you graduate. If you are more performer or more teacher, that is for you to know. If I knew more about your interest - what kind of music you want to do - I can better advise you. Classical, jazz, pop? That will inform where you pursue your college education. If you truly love music and have a gift for it, then you will make it a part of your life, whether it is professionally or as a hobby. I wish you all the best.

Greetings, assuming that you are already envolved in music at your local high school. One thing I have learned since graduating from college 11 years ago is that birds of a feather flock together!
That means if you want to do a great singer then surround yourself with great singers especially if they are better than you so that you can learn from them.
A music drive campus (even if competitive) will give you an amazing network of like minded individuals to help give you career support and a great sounding board when facing difficulties.
Even as you focus on your core subjects you still want to stay envolved with music starting in your freshman.