Best institutions to study Music History, Literature, and Theory
A program that focuses on the study of the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the development of musical instruments and techniques, and the analysis and criticism of musical literature.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 131 Music History, Literature, and Theory students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0902, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1121).
About Music History, Literature, and Theory programs
A program that focuses on the study of the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the development of musical instruments and techniques, and the analysis and criticism of musical literature. Includes instruction in music history research methods, aesthetic analysis of musical compositions, history of musical writing and notation, the development of musical instruments, the development of music theory, and the study of specific periods, cultural traditions, styles, and themes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music History program, officially titled Music History, Literature, and Theory, delves into the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the development of musical instruments, techniques, and the analysis of musical literature across various cultural traditions and styles. It is ideal for those who are passionate about music and its historical context.
Students will gain core skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework includes music history research methods, aesthetic analysis of compositions, and the study of musical writing and notation, providing a comprehensive understanding of music's development through different periods and themes.
Credentials awarded
What Music History, Literature, and Theory graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree94 graduates / yr · 17 institutions72%
- Master's degree21 graduates / yr · 9 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Music History, Literature, and Theory completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2013 | 173 |
| 2014 | 163 |
| 2015 | 178 |
| 2016 | 156 |
| 2017 | 149 |
| 2018 | 178 |
| 2019 | 160 |
| 2020 | 171 |
| 2021 | 153 |
| 2022 | 179 |
| 2023 | 168 |
| 2024 | 153 |
| 2025 | 131 |
Top 28 institutions for Music History, Literature, and Theory, 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 22 | 65% | — | $26,011 |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 14 | 71% | — | $17,040 |
| 3 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 69% | $54,185 | $12,109 |
| 4 | Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 83% | $25,238 | — |
| 5 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 93% | — | $22,272 |
| 6 | Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 53% | $19,485 | — |
| 7 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 61% | $23,844 | $20,727 |
| 8 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 7 | 57% | — | $33,384 |
| 9 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 65% | $28,911 | $28,003 |
| 10 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
| 11 | Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 68% | $24,278 | — |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster's | 3 | 86% | — | $18,462 |
| 13 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicBachelor's | 2 | 39% | — | — |
| 15 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 45% | — | $23,902 |
| 16 | Ohio Christian University Circleville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 34% | $20,812 | — |
| 17 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster's | 2 | 65% | — | $36,252 |
| 18 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 81% | — | — |
| 19 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 79% | $27,724 | $23,856 |
| 20 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 94% | $11,888 | $16,479 |
| 21 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicMaster's | 1 | 55% | — | $22,315 |
| 22 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 23 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster's | 1 | 64% | — | $20,632 |
| 24 | Cairn University - Langhorne Langhorne, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 60% | $28,320 | — |
| 25 | Ursinus College Collegeville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $27,153 | — |
| 26 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 80% | $35,682 | $10,210 |
| 27 | Southwestern University Georgetown, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $25,285 | — |
| 28 | Saint Michael's College Colchester, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $25,029 | — |
* 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 17 states
Where Music History, Literature, and Theory graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 6 | 36 | The New School13 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 22 | West Virginia University22 / yr |
| Virginia | 2 | 16 | Bridgewater College9 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 14 | University of Kentucky14 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 9 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor9 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 7 | Rider University7 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 5 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Ohio | 3 | 5 | Ohio Christian University2 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 5 | Bob Jones University5 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 3 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus3 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 2 | Baylor University1 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Adams State University2 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 1 | University of Delaware1 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | The Catholic University of America1 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Johns Hopkins University1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | University of Missouri - Kansas City1 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | Saint Michael's College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1121, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Music History program often pursue careers as postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an annual opening of about 9,000 positions. The median wage for these educators is approximately $80,190, typically requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0902
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Music History, Literature, and Theory 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
- Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
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
- 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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a postsecondary art, drama, or music teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 9,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Music History, Literature, and Theory?+
Music History, Literature, and Theory is CIP 50.0902 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 focuses on the study of the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the development of musical instruments and techniques, and the analysis and criticism of musical literature. Includes instruction in music history research methods, aesthetic analysis of musical compositions, history of musical writing and notation, the development of musical instruments, the development of music theory, and the study of specific periods, cultural traditions, styles, and themes.
How many institutions offer Music History, Literature, and Theory programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported Music History, Literature, and Theory graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 131 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Music graduates.
How much do Music History, Literature, and Theory graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Music History, Literature, and Theory most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,620 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Music field report median earnings of $22,272 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.
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