Massachusetts · Arts

Best colleges for Arts in Massachusetts

Ranked by graduate earnings

Berklee College of Music, Boston University and Northeastern University award the most Arts degrees and certificates in Massachusetts: 268, 33 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Massachusetts colleges offer Arts and award 339 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program focuses on the visual and performing arts, preparing students for various roles within the creative industries. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about arts management,…

Institutions
9
offering CIP 50.10
States offered
43
with a program page
Degrees / yr
339
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$18,675
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,848
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
73%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

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
1Berklee College of Music
Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,32426867%$46,197$26,375
2Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$18,675356%—$25,000

Colleges awarding the most Arts degrees in Massachusetts

Top 9 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)
1Berklee College of Music
Boston Private not-for-profit
268$40,324
2Boston University
Boston Private not-for-profit
33Not reported
3Northeastern University
Boston Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
4University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst Public
8Not reported
5Simmons University
Boston Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
6University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell Public
4Not reported
7Dean College
Franklin Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
8Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams Public
3$18,675
9Stonehill College
Easton Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes (SOC 13-1011).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+8.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$96,310
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingActive Learning

What Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn in Massachusetts

Jobs in Massachusetts
80
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$102,790 avg · 4,960 jobs
Producers and Directors
$94,850 avg · 3,440 jobs
Music Directors and Composers
$93,170 avg · 340 jobs
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
— avg · 80 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Arts programs in Massachusetts.

Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Arts degrees?+

Berklee College of Music (268 graduates a year), Boston University (33 graduates a year) and Northeastern University (12 graduates a year) award the most Arts degrees and certificates in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Massachusetts colleges offer Arts.

Which Arts program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Berklee College of Music tops the list at $40,324. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Arts program?+

The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program focuses on the visual and performing arts, preparing students for various roles within the creative industries. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about arts management,…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes?+

The national job outlook is about +8.7% growth with around 2,200 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).

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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