Best institutions to study Brass Instruments
A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 103 Brass Instruments students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0914, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Musicians and Singers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2042).
About Brass Instruments programs
A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Brass Instruments program, part of the broader Music field, is designed for individuals looking to master brass instruments such as the trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, and tuba. This program focuses on developing performance skills for solo and ensemble settings, as well as personal style in music interpretation. Students can expect comprehensive training that prepares them for various performance opportunities.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework will cover fine arts, music theory, and performance techniques, equipping students with the knowledge to perform effectively and engage audiences.
Credentials awarded
What Brass Instruments graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree48 graduates / yr · 10 institutions47%
- Bachelor's degree44 graduates / yr · 11 institutions43%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.8%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.9%
Graduates over time
Brass Instruments completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 53 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 90 |
| 2015 | 83 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 108 |
| 2018 | 97 |
| 2019 | 86 |
| 2020 | 114 |
| 2021 | 58 |
| 2022 | 120 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2024 | 109 |
| 2025 | 103 |
Top 15 institutions for Brass Instruments, 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 | The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 73% | $38,781 | — |
| 2 | Manhattan School of Music New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 78% | $53,742 | — |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 13 | 92% | $26,873 | $12,947 |
| 4 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 74% | $39,487 | $26,916 |
| 5 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 6 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 8 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 8 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 4 | 54% | $28,311 | $24,511 |
| 9 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
| 10 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 80% | — | $15,911 |
| 11 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 65% | $28,911 | $28,003 |
| 12 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 71% | — | $17,040 |
| 13 | Longy School of Music of Bard College Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 78% | $43,291 | — |
| 14 | Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music San Juan, PRPublicBachelor's | 2 | 67% | — | $5,005 |
| 15 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 1 | 85% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Music field (CIP 50.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states & territories
Where Brass Instruments graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 26 | Manhattan School of Music15 / yr |
| California | 2 | 25 | University of Southern California13 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 20 | The New England Conservatory of Music18 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 8 | Rice University8 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 6 | Vanderbilt University6 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 4 | University of Hartford4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | Roosevelt University3 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 3 | Indiana University - Bloomington3 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 3 | Liberty University3 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | University of Kentucky2 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 2 | Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2042, Musicians and Singers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Brass Instruments program can pursue careers as musicians and singers, with a projected annual opening of 19,400 positions in related fields. The job outlook indicates little or no change in growth, and while formal education is not always required, advanced degrees can enhance career opportunities.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0914
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Musicians and Singersprimary SOC 27-2042 | — | +1.1% Little or no change | ~19,400 | No formal educational credential |
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 Brass Instruments 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
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
Tools and technology used
Other Music specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Music (CIP 50.09).
- MusicCIP 50.090110,232 graduates / yr976 institutions
- Music PerformanceCIP 50.09036,946 graduates / yr375 institutions
- Music TechnologyCIP 50.09132,092 graduates / yr122 institutions
- Music Theory and CompositionCIP 50.09041,282 graduates / yr145 institutions
- MusicCIP 50.09991,199 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Voice and OperaCIP 50.0908641 graduates / yr81 institutions
- Jazz/CIP 50.0910
Jazz Studies 592 graduates / yr59 institutions - Stringed InstrumentsCIP 50.0911583 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Keyboard InstrumentsCIP 50.0907528 graduates / yr59 institutions
- Music PedagogyCIP 50.0912397 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Musicology and EthnomusicologyCIP 50.0905165 graduates / yr36 institutions
- ConductingCIP 50.0906159 graduates / yr53 institutions
- Woodwind InstrumentsCIP 50.0915148 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Music History, Literature, and TheoryCIP 50.0902131 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Percussion InstrumentsCIP 50.091640 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Sound ArtsCIP 50.0917partial data38 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What types of instruments will I learn to play?+
You will learn to play brass instruments such as the trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, and tuba.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in performance, active listening, critical thinking, and music interpretation.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
You can work as a musician or singer, and there are also opportunities in music education.
What is the CIP code for Brass Instruments?+
Brass Instruments is CIP 50.0914 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Music (CIP 50.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
How many institutions offer Brass Instruments programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Brass Instruments graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states & territories, awarding 103 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Music graduates.
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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