by our College Data Analytics TeamLearn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
In 2020-2021, conducting was the 878th most popular major nationwide with 153 degrees awarded. This 16 less than the prior year, a decrease of 10.5%.
This year's Best Conducting Schools ranking compares 38 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of conducting programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in conducting is talking to others to convey information effectively. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and teaching others how to do something are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most conducting degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific conducting careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different conducting degree levels. Conducting programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest conducting degree you can get. Depending on the conducting degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to conducting, with approximately 25.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for conducting workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 31.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20.5% |
| Some College Courses | 6.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.3% |
52.9% of conducting workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in conducting have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which conducting career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your conducting degree? Conducting careers are expected to grow 9.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to conducting.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 79,100 | 5.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for conducting graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for conducting graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers conducting grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $59,790 |
With over 91 different conducting degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased conducting school rankings to help you with this.
One of 16 majors within the Music area of study, Conducting has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 11,232 |
| Music Performance | 7,335 |
| Music Technology | 1,788 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 1,175 |
| Other Music | 1,117 |
