Best institutions to study Audio Engineering Technology/Technician
A program of study that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the mixing, recording, and production of music.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 143 Audio Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0307, a specialization of Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.03), and leads most directly to the Sound Engineering Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 27-4014).
About Audio Engineering Technology/Technician programs
A program of study that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the mixing, recording, and production of music. Includes instruction in acoustics, audio mixing, audio production, audio recording, computer composition of music, music theory, digital devices, and sound technology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Audio Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the mixing, recording, and production of music. This program is ideal for those interested in sound engineering and technology, providing a foundation for a career in the audio industry. Students will learn about various aspects of sound production, including acoustics and digital devices.
Core coursework includes instruction in audio mixing, recording, production, computer composition of music, and music theory. Students will also develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Audio Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree62 graduates / yr · 5 institutions43%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year49 graduates / yr · 6 institutions34%
- Bachelor's degree15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years13 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.1%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
Graduates over time
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 143 |
CIP 15.0307 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 12 institutions for Audio Engineering Technology/Technician, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 58 | 25% | — |
| 2 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 30 | 45% | — |
| 3 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 20% | — |
| 4 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 93% | — |
| 5 | Professional University Dr. Carlos J. Borrero Rios Hato Rey, PRPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 5 | — | — |
| 6 | Five Towns College Dix Hills, NYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 4 | 55% | $22,977 |
| 7 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 59% | — |
| 8 | Frederick Community College Frederick, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — |
| 9 | Black Hawk College Moline, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — |
| 10 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 25% | — |
| 11 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicBachelor's | 1 | 48% | — |
| 12 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate's | 1 | 46% | — |
Offered in 10 states & territories
Where Audio Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1 | 58 | Milwaukee Area Technical College58 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 31 | Utah Valley University30 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 30 | Collin County Community College District30 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 6 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor5 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 5 | Professional University Dr. Carlos J. Borrero Rios5 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | Five Towns College4 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 4 | University of Wyoming4 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 3 | Frederick Community College3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Black Hawk College1 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 1 | The University of Montana1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4014, Sound Engineering Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Sound Engineering Technicians, with an average median wage of $66,430. Although the job outlook indicates a slight decline of 1.7%, there are approximately 1,200 annual openings, primarily requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0307
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sound Engineering Techniciansprimary SOC 27-4014 | $73,130 | -1.7% Decline | ~1,200 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio SOC 27-2091 | — | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Audio Engineering Technology/Technician 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
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
- Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
- Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
Tools and technology used
Other Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.03).
- Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0303
Technician 7,489 graduates / yr358 institutions - Electrical/CIP 15.0399
Electronic Engineering Technologies/ Technicians 1,734 graduates / yr64 institutions - Telecommunications Technology/CIP 15.0305
Technician 332 graduates / yr26 institutions - Laser and Optical Technology/CIP 15.0304
Technician 203 graduates / yr20 institutions - Integrated Circuit Design Technology/CIP 15.0306
Technician limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
See all Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or various awards based on your study duration.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and sound technology.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Sound Engineering Technician, among other related occupations.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.7%, with about 1,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Audio Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0307 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.03). NCES defines it as: A program of study that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the mixing, recording, and production of music. Includes instruction in acoustics, audio mixing, audio production, audio recording, computer composition of music, music theory, digital devices, and sound technology.
How many institutions offer Audio Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Audio Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states & territories, awarding 143 credentials in the year. That is 1.4% of all Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Audio Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Sound Engineering Technicians occupation, which Audio Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,130 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card