by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,216 U.S. colleges awarded 26,269 degrees and certificates in Music. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 418 schools in its 2027 Best Music Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,221 one year after completing, rising to $45,008 after four years.
Do you turn up the radio and sing every time you're in the car? Do you enjoy being on stage and performing for others? If you said yes, consider a major in Music.
A degree in Music isn't only about performing. You will learn about music history, composition, theory, and how to teach. Classes introduce you to and array of classical, modern, and contemporary music, show you how it has evolved, and prepare you for a career working with this art form.
Students have the option of choosing a general music major or they may choose to concentrate in a certain area. Examples of concentrations are: Music History, Music Performance, Music Theory & Composition, Musicology and Ethnomusicology, Conducting, Keyboard Instruments, and Voice Performance.
Studying Music explores Music.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, music is a popular field of study, with 26,269 degrees awarded annually. 1,216 colleges award music degrees, an average of 22 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,011.
By level, the 26,269 awards include 226 certificates, 2,191 associate degrees, 15,072 bachelor’s degrees, 7,271 master’s degrees and 1,486 doctorates.
Women earned 45% of music degrees and certificates in the latest year (11,799 of 26,269). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (13,310) and Hispanic or Latino (3,742), and international students earned 3,593.
College Factual ranks 418 schools in its 2027 Best Music Schools ranking, including 54 for associate degrees, 352 for bachelor’s degrees, 152 for master’s degrees and 56 for doctorates. It also ranks music schools within 51 states. In all, 1,216 colleges offer music programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Music Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common music credential is the bachelor’s degree: 15,072 of the 26,269 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to music call most for Speaking, Instructing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Students who pursue a degree in Music usually already have musical talent, whether it be singing, playing an instrument, conducting, or composing. The classes you take in college will foster these talents and provide you with the skills you need to become a professional. Since this is a very competitive field, perseverance and discipline are important. You should be prepared to put a lot of time and effort in to improve your technique and performance. Strong people skills are also necessary because you will be auditioning for parts or working closely with agents and musicians.
A career in Music can be part time or full time, and can often have demanding hours. Those who perform have practices during normal business hours, but are required to work at night and on weekends when performances are held. Performers may also have to travel to perform at certain venues. Teachers typically have more regular hours.
Students who are interested in pursuing a career in the music industry should spend time taking classes and improving skills. Voice and instrument classes with teach you different techniques and styles that will make you more flexible and interesting to employers.
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How long a music degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 226 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,191 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15,072 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,271 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,486 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to music, at 45.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 45.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Music, with an average median salary of $73,692; the strongest outlook belongs to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 9.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Violin Teacher, Band Teacher, Choir Teacher and Theater Teacher.
Music graduates are employed as voice teachers, vocal performers, conductors, music historians, and composers among other professions rooted in music. This degree will give you the skills to write music for performances, teach other how to play instruments, perform in a variety of venues and productions, and share the history of this art form. No matter what type of work you would like to do, a degree in Music will prepare you for a job in the field you're passionate about.
All music occupations are growing at an average rate, meaning students should be able to find jobs after graduation. However, some careers, like music performance, are highly competitive and require great talent and experience.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to music, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | 386,017 | -3.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
Music graduates earn a median $29,221 one year after completing their program, $45,008 after four years and $40,994 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,221 |
| 4 years | $45,008 |
| 5 years | $40,994 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to music is Musicians and Singers, with a median salary of $96,571.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | $87,328 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Music includes 17 concentrations that together award 26,269 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Music, General (10,882), Music Performance, General (7,138) and Music Technology (2,097). It has 10 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 132,001 degrees a year; the largest are Design and Applied Arts (39,906), Fine and Studio Arts (39,642) and Film/Video and Photographic Arts (19,222). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music, General | 10,882 |
| Music Performance, General | 7,138 |
| Music Technology | 2,097 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1,337 |
| Music, Other | 1,235 |
| Voice and Opera | 651 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 598 |
| Stringed Instruments | 585 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 536 |
| Music Pedagogy | 402 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 168 |
| Conducting | 159 |
| Woodwind Instruments | 151 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory | 147 |
| Brass Instruments | 103 |
| Percussion Instruments | 41 |
| Sound Arts | 39 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 39,906 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 39,642 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 19,222 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 16,328 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 7,856 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 4,713 |
| Dance | 3,317 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 964 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | 46 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
