Best Religious Music and Worship institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 96 U.S. colleges offering Religious Music and Worship by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 33 states.
About Religious Music and Worship programs
The Religious Music and Worship program focuses on the intersection of music, theology, and worship practices. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in religious settings, where music plays a vital role in enhancing worship experiences. This program prepares students to lead and create meaningful musical expressions within various faith communities.
Students in this program will develop core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes music theory, performance techniques, and the study of sacred music, enabling students to understand and apply musical elements in worship contexts.
Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,284 | 107 | 65% | $28,911 | $27,000 |
| 2 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,092 | 7 | 66% | $23,452 | — |
| 3 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,713 | 12 | 43% | $29,915 | $27,500 |
Offered across 33 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginialimited | 2 | $33,284 | Liberty University |
| Minnesota | 5 | $30,092 | North Central University |
| Floridalimited | 1 | $29,713 | Southeastern University |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arkansas | 3 | — | — |
| California | 8 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgia | 3 | — | — |
| Illinois | 4 | — | — |
| Indiana | 4 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 3 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Mississippi | 3 | — | — |
| Missouri | 6 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Ohio | 7 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| South Carolina | 4 | — | — |
| Tennessee | 6 | — | — |
| Texas | 7 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2041, Music Directors and Composers, and its national outlook.
Career opportunities for graduates in Religious Music and Worship may include roles in worship ministry and sacred music leadership. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 4,300 annual openings and a median wage of $63,670. A typical requirement for these positions is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Religious Music and Worship programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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 & technology
Concentrations within Religious Music and Worship
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Religious/Sacred MusicCIP 39.0501
A program that focuses on the history, theory, composition, and performance of music for religious or sacred purposes, and that prepares individuals for religious musical vocations such as choir direc
- Worship MinistryCIP 39.0502
A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship
- Religious Music and Worship, OtherCIP 39.0599
Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Religious/Sacred Music, Worship Ministry, and other areas related to Religious Music and Worship.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 4,300 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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