Best institutions to study Music
Any instructional program in music not listed above.
88 U.S. institutions graduated 1,199 Music students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0999, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Musicians and Singers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2042).
About Music programs
Any instructional program in music not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music program, classified under Visual and Performing Arts, encompasses a broad range of instructional content in music not specifically categorized elsewhere. This program is ideal for students passionate about music, whether they aspire to perform, teach, or compose. It offers a diverse and enriching environment for those looking to deepen their understanding and skills in music.
Students in the Music program develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes practical performance, music theory, and the study of various musical styles, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary for a successful career in the music industry.
Credentials awarded
What Music graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree881 graduates / yr · 60 institutions74%
- Master's degree189 graduates / yr · 17 institutions16%
- Associate's degree63 graduates / yr · 5 institutions5.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.8%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Music completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,657 |
| 2013 | 1,475 |
| 2014 | 1,173 |
| 2015 | 1,128 |
| 2016 | 1,077 |
| 2017 | 1,799 |
| 2018 | 1,736 |
| 2019 | 1,442 |
| 2020 | 1,228 |
| 2021 | 1,097 |
| 2022 | 1,087 |
| 2023 | 1,092 |
| 2024 | 1,108 |
| 2025 | 1,199 |
Top 50 institutions for Music, 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'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 299 | 67% | $46,197 | $18,177 |
| 2 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 118 | 71% | $29,246 | $24,016 |
| 3 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 65% | $28,911 | $28,003 |
| 4 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 39 | 84% | $26,589 | $15,492 |
| 5 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 38 | 57% | — | $18,226 |
| 6 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 88% | $29,023 | $24,398 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 30 | 92% | $26,873 | $12,947 |
| 8 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 9 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 48% | — | — |
| 10 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor's | 28 | 80% | — | $15,911 |
| 11 | Capital University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 60% | $22,920 | $33,143 |
| 12 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 72% | $24,309 | $19,352 |
| 13 | Musicians Institute Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 53% | $37,963 | — |
| 14 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 68% | $28,141 | $19,155 |
| 15 | Wesleyan University Middletown, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 17 | 93% | $16,467 | — |
| 16 | Honolulu Community College Honolulu, HIPublicAssociate's | 17 | 25% | — | — |
| 17 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 17 | 52% | $28,087 | $19,943 |
| 18 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 68% | $26,727 | $19,978 |
| 19 | Oberlin College Oberlin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 81% | $28,313 | $17,141 |
| 20 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 58% | $26,609 | — |
| 21 | County College of Morris Randolph, NJPublicAssociate's | 14 | 36% | — | — |
| 22 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, ALPublicAssociate's | 13 | 41% | — | — |
| 23 | Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJPublicAssociate's | 13 | 30% | — | — |
| 24 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 37% | — | — |
| 25 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 77% | $32,060 | $27,854 |
| 26 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 51% | — | $27,353 |
| 27 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 63% | — | $25,339 |
| 28 | Stetson University DeLand, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 62% | $21,948 | $15,905 |
| 29 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 11 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 30 | Nashville State Community College Nashville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 18% | — | — |
| 31 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 81% | $13,712 | $22,625 |
| 32 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 9 | 62% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 8 | 47% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 8 | 85% | — | $13,128 |
| 35 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 85% | $23,461 | $26,540 |
| 36 | Houghton University Houghton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 65% | $20,470 | — |
| 37 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 76% | — | $20,408 |
| 38 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 6 | 46% | — | $29,483 |
| 39 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 40 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 6 | 17% | — | — |
| 41 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 68% | — | $34,611 |
| 42 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster's | 5 | 53% | — | $25,108 |
| 43 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $11,888 | $16,479 |
| 44 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 45 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicDoctoral | 5 | 79% | — | $38,657 |
| 46 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 53% | $14,286 | — |
| 47 | Vermont State University Randolph, VTPublicBachelor's | 5 | 47% | — | $27,719 |
| 48 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 80% | $35,696 | — |
| 49 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 56% | — | $34,766 |
| 50 | Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 51% | $25,582 | — |
* 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 36 states
Where Music graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2042, Musicians and Singers, and its national outlook.
Graduates from the Music program can pursue various careers, with primary roles including musicians and singers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of about 19,400 positions. While many musicians may not require formal educational credentials, a Bachelor's or Master's degree can enhance career opportunities.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0999
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 |
Music Directors and Composers SOC 27-2041 | $73,710 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~4,300 | Bachelor'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 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
- 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
- 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 the Music program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Music.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and music performance.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Music?+
You can become a musician, music teacher, or music director, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for music careers?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 19,400 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Music?+
Music is CIP 50.0999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Music (CIP 50.09). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in music not listed above.
How many institutions offer Music programs?+
88 U.S. institutions reported Music graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 1,199 credentials in the year. That is 4.7% 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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