California · Religious Music and Worship

Best colleges for Religious Music and Worship in California

Ranked by graduates a year

California Baptist University, Azusa Pacific University and Biola University award the most Religious Music and Worship degrees and certificates in California: 19, 4 and 3 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 California colleges offer Religious Music and Worship and award 49 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Religious Music and Worship program focuses on the intersection of music, theology, and worship practices. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in religious settings, where music plays a vital role in enhancing…

Institutions
10
offering CIP 39.05
States offered
31
with a program page
Degrees / yr
49
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,727
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
68%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Music Directors and Composers
$108,530
BLS OEWS May 2025

10 institutions offering Religious Music and Worship in California

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California Baptist University
Riverside Private not-for-profit
—1962%$26,940—
2SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
El Dorado Hills Private not-for-profit Online
—885%$21,043—
3World Mission University
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit Online
—6100%$16,598—
4Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Private not-for-profit
—462%$20,686—
5Biola University
La Mirada Private not-for-profit
—368%$26,727—
6Life Pacific University
San Dimas Private not-for-profit
—340%$23,832—
7Academy for Jewish Religion California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit Online
—3———
8The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit
—168%$30,641—
9Hope International University
Fullerton Private not-for-profit
—149%$32,826—
10Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego Private not-for-profit
—177%$48,795—

Colleges awarding the most Religious Music and Worship degrees in California

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1California Baptist University
Riverside Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
2Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
3Biola University
La Mirada Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
4Life Pacific University
San Dimas Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
5The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
6Hope International University
Fullerton Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
7Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
Show the other 3 California colleges offering Religious Music and Worship
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary (Online)El Dorado HillsPrivate not-for-profit8
World Mission University (Online)Los AngelesPrivate not-for-profit6
Academy for Jewish Religion California (Online)Los AngelesPrivate not-for-profit3

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Music Directors and Composers (SOC 27-2041).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-0.3%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~4,300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$63,670
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingActive Learning

What Music Directors and Composers earn in California

Jobs in California
2,510
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$108,530
median $93,090
Best-paying metro
$136,080
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Related careers

Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$70,150 avg · 3,200 jobs
Music Directors and Composers
$108,530 avg · 2,510 jobs
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$125,540 avg · 1,850 jobs
Religious Workers, All Other
$56,290 avg · 1,390 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Religious Music and Worship programs in California.

Which California colleges award the most Religious Music and Worship degrees?+

California Baptist University (19 graduates a year), Azusa Pacific University (4 graduates a year) and Biola University (3 graduates a year) award the most Religious Music and Worship degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 California colleges offer Religious Music and Worship.

How much do Music Directors and Composers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in California is $108,530 (median $93,090), across about 2,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Religious Music and Worship program?+

The Religious Music and Worship program focuses on the intersection of music, theology, and worship practices. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in religious settings, where music plays a vital role in enhancing…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Music Directors and Composers?+

The national job outlook is about -0.3% growth with around 4,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Religious Music and Worship in other statesVirginiaMinnesotaFloridaAlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoNew York

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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