Best institutions to study Music Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel.
107 U.S. institutions graduated 1,935 Music Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.1003, a specialization of Arts (CIP 50.10), and leads most directly to the Music Directors and Composers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2041).
About Music Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing and fundraising; personnel management and labor relations; event promotion and management; music products merchandising; artist agency and promotion; music law; and applications to specific activities such as managing theaters, recording studios and companies, bands and other ensembles, individual artists, and music organizations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music Management program prepares individuals to effectively organize and manage various music-related operations, including organizations, facilities, and personnel. This program is ideal for those passionate about the music industry and seeking to develop the skills necessary for successful careers in music management and administration.
Students in this program gain essential skills in business and financial management, marketing, fundraising, and event promotion. Coursework also covers music law, artist agency, and the specifics of managing music organizations, recording studios, and ensembles.
Credentials awarded
What Music Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,319 graduates / yr · 79 institutions68%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year242 graduates / yr · 14 institutions13%
- Associate's degree200 graduates / yr · 18 institutions10%
- Master's degree142 graduates / yr · 6 institutions7.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Music Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,529 |
| 2013 | 1,812 |
| 2014 | 1,810 |
| 2015 | 2,014 |
| 2016 | 2,011 |
| 2017 | 2,101 |
| 2018 | 1,971 |
| 2019 | 1,940 |
| 2020 | 2,146 |
| 2021 | 1,948 |
| 2022 | 1,923 |
| 2023 | 1,977 |
| 2024 | 1,847 |
| 2025 | 1,935 |
Top 50 institutions for Music Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 268 | 67% | $46,197 | $40,324 |
| 2 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 211 | 71% | $29,246 | $30,666 |
| 3 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 174 | 20% | — | $22,265 |
| 4 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 133 | 44% | $32,163 | $28,947 |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 114 | 54% | — | $27,172 |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 86 | 92% | $26,873 | $26,975 |
| 7 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 90% | — | $33,927 |
| 8 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 76 | 78% | $36,004 | $24,205 |
| 9 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 53 | 26% | — | — |
| 10 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 52% | $28,087 | $23,844 |
| 11 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 59% | $22,906 | $20,257 |
| 12 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NYPublicBachelor's | 35 | 69% | — | $28,449 |
| 13 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 32 | 65% | — | — |
| 14 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 84% | $28,851 | $35,389 |
| 15 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 93% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 27 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 17 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 18 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 19% | — | — |
| 19 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor's | 19 | 63% | — | — |
| 20 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor's | 17 | 50% | — | $26,216 |
| 21 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 17 | 75% | — | $28,357 |
| 22 | Musicians Institute Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 53% | $37,963 | — |
| 23 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 43% | $29,915 | — |
| 24 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 15 | 79% | — | — |
| 25 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 47% | — | $27,565 |
| 26 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicAssociate's | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 27 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 13 | 54% | — | — |
| 28 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 57% | $29,227 | $34,291 |
| 29 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 11 | 61% | — | — |
| 30 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 17% | — | — |
| 31 | Bradley University Peoria, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 76% | $21,768 | — |
| 32 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 69% | $23,964 | — |
| 33 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 63% | $32,614 | $23,782 |
| 34 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
| 35 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 80% | $35,696 | $34,911 |
| 36 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicBachelor's | 9 | 45% | — | $36,899 |
| 37 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 70% | $20,794 | $36,432 |
| 38 | McLennan Community College Waco, TXPublicAssociate's | 8 | 39% | — | — |
| 39 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 43% | — | — |
| 40 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 16% | — | — |
| 41 | Florida Southern College Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 71% | $28,325 | — |
| 42 | Augsburg University Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 52% | $23,585 | — |
| 43 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 44 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OHPublicAssociate's | 7 | 37% | — | — |
| 45 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 47 | Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 67% | $25,104 | $29,088 |
| 48 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 39% | $10,446 | — |
| 49 | Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 6 | 41% | $41,257 | — |
| 50 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 16% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Arts field (CIP 50.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states & territories
Where Music Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2041, Music Directors and Composers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Music Management program often pursue careers as Music Directors and Composers, with a median wage of $63,670. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 4,300 annual openings typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.1003
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Music Directors and Composersprimary SOC 27-2041 | $73,710 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~4,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Music Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
Tools and technology used
Other Arts specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Arts (CIP 50.10).
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.10011,040 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Fine and Studio Arts ManagementCIP 50.1002937 graduates / yr62 institutions
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCIP 50.1099512 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Theatre/CIP 50.1004
Theatre Arts Management 216 graduates / yr23 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Music Management?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and event management.
What are common careers for graduates?+
Common careers include Music Directors, Composers, and Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers.
What is the job outlook for Music Management graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 4,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Music Management?+
Music Management is CIP 50.1003 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Arts (CIP 50.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing and fundraising; personnel management and labor relations; event promotion and management; music products merchandising; artist agency and promotion; music law; and applications to specific activities such as managing theaters, recording studios and companies, bands and other ensembles, individual artists, and music organizations.
How many institutions offer Music Management programs?+
107 U.S. institutions reported Music Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 1,935 credentials in the year. That is 41.7% of all Arts graduates.
How much do Music Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Music Directors and Composers occupation, which Music Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,710 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Arts field report median earnings of $28,357 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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