Music Performance: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring professional musicians, this program emphasizes the development of advanced technical proficiency, artistic expression, and performance excellence across solo and ensemble settings. Students engage in intensive training tailored to their chosen instrument, cultivating the interpretive depth and stage presence required for a successful career in music performance.
- Instrumental Technique and Mastery: Focuses on refining physical control, tone quality, and precision in playing a primary instrument, with instruction adapted to the specific demands of classical, jazz, or contemporary styles.
- Repertoire Development: Involves the study and performance of diverse musical works spanning historical periods and genres, building a comprehensive body of performance-ready material.
- Ensemble Performance: Provides hands-on experience in orchestras, bands, chamber groups, and other collaborative settings, emphasizing timing, balance, and interplay among musicians.
- Music Theory and Analysis: Enhances understanding of harmonic structure, form, and stylistic context, enabling informed and expressive interpretation of musical scores.
- Stage Presence and Performance Practice: Addresses the psychological and physical aspects of live performance, including audition preparation, rehearsal discipline, and audience engagement.
- Applied Lessons and Coaching: Offers personalized instruction from experienced faculty, allowing students to receive targeted feedback and guidance throughout their artistic development.
Music Performance Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music Performance Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music Performance degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Music Directors and Composers and Musicians and Singers. 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 148,570 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 Directors and Composers 27-2041 | $63,670 | $34,990 - $157,010 | 12,330 | $30.61 |
| Musicians and Singers 27-2042 | N/A | N/A | 38,350 | $42.45 |
Music Performance Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,215 in Alabama to $103,385 in Hawaii—a 114% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 148,570 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 Performance by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Music Performance 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 Performance is found at Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (339 graduates), Berklee College of Music (325 graduates), University of Rochester (206 graduates), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (200 graduates), and Musicians Institute (MI) (181 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,749 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
339 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Berklee College of Music |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
325 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
206 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
200 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Musicians Institute (MI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
181 | Hollywood, California | Private | mi.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
160 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
149 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
141 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
129 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | cim.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
127 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
119 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Oberlin College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
110 | Oberlin, Ohio | Private | oberlin.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
103 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
86 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
86 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
84 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
84 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
71 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
68 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
64 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
63 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
62 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
62 | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
59 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
59 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
47 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Bard College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 | Annandale-On-Hudson, New York | Private | bard.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44 | Winston Salem, North Carolina | Public | uncsa.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
43 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Lawrence University |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Private | lawrence.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
42 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
40 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
36 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
35 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
32 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
30 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| South Plains College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| Visible Music College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
30 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | visible.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
29 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
29 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Lynn University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
29 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | lynn.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
29 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Curtis Institute of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | curtis.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Volunteer State Community College (Vol State) |
Associate's
|
23 | Gallatin, Tennessee | Public | volstate.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
19 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
18 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Master's
|
18 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
18 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music Performance programs
How much can I earn with a Music Performance degree?
Salaries for Music Performance graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Music Directors and Composers earn around $63,670. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $103,385 compared to $48,215 in Alabama. Approximately 148,570 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 Performance programs?
Currently 370 accredited institutions offer Music Performance degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (339 graduates), Berklee College of Music (325 graduates), and University of Rochester (206 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 Performance growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 8,157 in 2010 to a peak of 7,957 in 2020, before declining slightly to 7,193 in 2023-24. This represents a 12% 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 Performance degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Music Directors and Composers, and Musicians and Singers. Related occupations employ approximately 148,570 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.
Related Arts Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Theatre Literature and Criticism
A program that focuses on the study of the history, literature, theory, and analysis of written plays, theatrical productions, and theatre methods and...
Acting
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the achievement of naturalistic and believable behavior in imaginary...
Theatre Directing and Production
A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in...
Musical Theatre
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting,...
Costume Design
A program that prepares individuals to design and select costumes for characters in theatre and the performing arts and to serve as part...
Comedy Writing and Performance
A program that focuses on the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of comedy as an art form, and the writing, performance, and production...