Music History, Literature, and Theory: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic evolution of music as a cultural force across time and civilizations through a rigorous academic lens. This program delves into the historical, theoretical, and critical dimensions of musical expression, equipping students with analytical tools to interpret music’s role in shaping societies and artistic traditions.
- Music History Research Methods: Develop systematic approaches to investigating musical developments, including archival inquiry, source evaluation, and historical contextualization across eras and regions.
- Aesthetic Analysis of Musical Compositions: Engage in deep interpretive study of musical works, examining form, structure, emotional impact, and artistic intent through critical listening and scholarly frameworks.
- History of Musical Writing and Notation: Trace the evolution of written music from early manuscripts to modern notation systems, understanding how notation shaped performance, transmission, and composition.
- Development of Musical Instruments and Techniques: Examine the technological, cultural, and acoustical advancements that influenced instrument design and performance practices throughout history.
- Development of Music Theory: Investigate the conceptual foundations of harmony, counterpoint, tonality, and other theoretical systems as they emerged and transformed across different historical periods.
- Study of Specific Historical Periods: Focus on major eras such as the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century periods, analyzing stylistic traits and cultural contexts.
- Cultural Traditions and Global Musical Styles: Explore diverse musical heritages from around the world, including non-Western traditions, folk forms, and cross-cultural exchanges that influence musical innovation.
- Thematic and Interdisciplinary Approaches: Analyze music through themes such as politics, religion, gender, identity, and technology, integrating insights from history, sociology, and cultural studies.
Music History, Literature, and Theory Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music History, Literature, and Theory Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music History, Literature, and Theory degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 97,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Music History, Literature, and Theory Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 97,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Music History, Literature, and Theory by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 39 institutions offering Music History, Literature, and Theory programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Music History, Literature, and Theory is found at West Virginia University (WVU) (23 graduates), Skidmore College (15 graduates), CUNY Hunter College (13 graduates), The New School (12 graduates), and Rider University (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 166 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Skidmore College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Private | skidmore.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
13 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
|
12 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Bob Jones University (BJU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | bju.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Bard College |
Master's
|
4 | Annandale-On-Hudson, New York | Private | bard.edu |
| Southwestern University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Georgetown, Texas | Private | southwestern.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
3 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Cairn University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Baylor University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Saint Michael's College (SMC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Colchester, Vermont | Private | smcvt.edu |
| Bridgewater College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bridgewater, Virginia | Private | bridgewater.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Adams State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Alamosa, Colorado | Public | adams.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
2 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Ohio Christian University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Circleville, Ohio | Private | ohiochristian.edu |
| Ursinus College (Ursinus) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Collegeville, Pennsylvania | Private | ursinus.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Master's
|
1 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music History, Literature, and Theory programs
How much can I earn with a Music History, Literature, and Theory degree?
Salaries for Music History, Literature, and Theory graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 97,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Music History, Literature, and Theory programs?
Currently 39 accredited institutions offer Music History, Literature, and Theory degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include West Virginia University (WVU) (23 graduates), Skidmore College (15 graduates), and CUNY Hunter College (13 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Music History, Literature, and Theory growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 197 in 2010 to a peak of 193 in 2020, before declining slightly to 166 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Music History, Literature, and Theory degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 97,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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