Best institutions to study Conducting
A program that prepares individuals to master the art of leading bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership.
53 U.S. institutions graduated 159 Conducting students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0906, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Music Directors and Composers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2041).
About Conducting programs
A program that prepares individuals to master the art of leading bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership. Includes instruction in score analysis and arranging, rehearsal and performance leadership, music coaching, arrangement and performance planning, ensemble operations management, and applications to specific school or professional ensembles.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Conducting program prepares individuals to excel in leading musical ensembles such as bands, choirs, and orchestras. This program focuses on mastering the art of performance leadership and music direction, making it ideal for those passionate about music and leadership roles within the arts. Students will engage in comprehensive training to develop their conducting skills and music interpretation abilities.
Core coursework includes score analysis, rehearsal leadership, music coaching, and performance planning. Students will also gain essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, enabling them to shape musical performances and manage ensemble operations effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Conducting graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree107 graduates / yr · 43 institutions67%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship32 graduates / yr · 13 institutions20%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 6 institutions5.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.4%
- Doctor's degree - other2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.3%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Conducting completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 149 |
| 2013 | 152 |
| 2014 | 163 |
| 2015 | 219 |
| 2016 | 226 |
| 2017 | 193 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 162 |
| 2020 | 169 |
| 2021 | 152 |
| 2022 | 149 |
| 2023 | 163 |
| 2024 | 179 |
| 2025 | 159 |
Top 50 institutions for Conducting, 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 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 81% | — | $38,656 |
| 2 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 61% | $23,844 | $20,727 |
| 3 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 85% | $25,874 | $14,310 |
| 4 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 84% | $26,589 | $15,492 |
| 5 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 69% | — | $24,405 |
| 6 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 93% | — | $22,272 |
| 7 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 80% | $35,682 | $10,210 |
| 8 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | — |
| 9 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 10 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 95% | $14,799 | $34,823 |
| 11 | The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 73% | $38,781 | — |
| 12 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 54% | $28,311 | $24,511 |
| 13 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 55% | — | $22,315 |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 4 | 75% | — | $12,875 |
| 15 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
| 16 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 67% | $22,706 | — |
| 17 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 80% | $35,696 | — |
| 18 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 67% | $46,197 | $18,177 |
| 19 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster's | 3 | 59% | — | $24,911 |
| 20 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster's | 3 | 58% | — | $24,775 |
| 21 | Manhattan School of Music New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 3 | 78% | $53,742 | — |
| 22 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicMaster's | 3 | 53% | — | $17,638 |
| 23 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 3 | 75% | — | $19,507 |
| 24 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicMaster's | 3 | 55% | — | $59,926 |
| 25 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 89% | — | $39,564 |
| 26 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 27 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 79% | $27,724 | $23,856 |
| 28 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 29 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster's | 2 | 40% | — | — |
| 30 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 89% | $21,956 | $23,934 |
| 31 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 83% | — | — |
| 32 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 72% | $17,800 | — |
| 33 | Houghton University Houghton, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 65% | $20,470 | — |
| 34 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 2 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 35 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 69% | $54,185 | $12,109 |
| 36 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 84% | $28,851 | $18,574 |
| 37 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 65% | — | $36,252 |
| 38 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster's | 2 | 72% | — | — |
| 39 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 63% | $18,918 | — |
| 40 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 81% | $13,712 | $22,625 |
| 41 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 74% | $39,487 | $26,916 |
| 42 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicMaster's | 1 | 60% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicMaster's | 1 | 68% | — | $32,175 |
| 44 | Simpson College Indianola, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 63% | $20,710 | — |
| 45 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster's | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 46 | Le Moyne College Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 73% | $20,356 | — |
| 47 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 56% | — | $15,670 |
| 48 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 1 | 64% | — | $24,340 |
| 49 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicMaster's | 1 | 37% | — | $19,162 |
| 50 | Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OKPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 65% | $22,589 | $18,784 |
* 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 26 states
Where Conducting graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2041, Music Directors and Composers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Conducting program typically pursue careers as Music Directors and Composers or as Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 4,300 annual openings and a median wage of $63,670. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0906
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 Conducting 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 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
- Woodwind InstrumentsCIP 50.0915148 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Music History, Literature, and TheoryCIP 50.0902131 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Brass InstrumentsCIP 50.0914103 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Percussion InstrumentsCIP 50.091640 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Sound ArtsCIP 50.0917partial data38 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Music Director, Composer, or a Postsecondary Teacher in the arts.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 4,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Conducting?+
Conducting is CIP 50.0906 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 the art of leading bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership. Includes instruction in score analysis and arranging, rehearsal and performance leadership, music coaching, arrangement and performance planning, ensemble operations management, and applications to specific school or professional ensembles.
How many institutions offer Conducting programs?+
53 U.S. institutions reported Conducting graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 159 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Music graduates.
How much do Conducting graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Music Directors and Composers occupation, which Conducting most directly leads to, pays a median of $73,710 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Music field report median earnings of $22,625 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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