Conducting: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Mastering the art of ensemble leadership, this program equips students with the advanced skills needed to guide and inspire musical groups across diverse performance contexts. Through intensive study and hands-on training, learners develop expertise in conducting techniques, artistic interpretation, and the strategic management of musical ensembles in both educational and professional settings.
- Score Analysis and Interpretation: Learn to deconstruct complex musical scores, identifying structural elements, historical context, and expressive nuances to inform performance decisions.
- Rehearsal and Performance Leadership: Develop strategies for effective rehearsal planning, time management, and real-time direction to maximize ensemble cohesion and artistic precision.
- Music Coaching and Pedagogy: Gain techniques for guiding individual and group musicians through technical, stylistic, and interpretive challenges with clarity and empathy.
- Arrangement and Performance Planning: Explore methods for adapting repertoire to suit ensemble capabilities and performance goals, including creative transcription and instrumentation decisions.
- Ensemble Operations Management: Understand the logistical, administrative, and organizational aspects of running a musical ensemble, from scheduling to budgeting and personnel coordination.
- Contextual Applications: Apply conducting principles to specific ensemble types—such as concert bands, choral groups, orchestras, and contemporary ensembles—within school, community, or professional environments.
Conducting Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Conducting Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Conducting degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Music Directors and Composers. 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 110,220 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 |
Conducting 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 110,220 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 Conducting by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 54 institutions offering Conducting 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 Conducting is found at Michigan State University (MSU) (12 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (10 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (9 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (8 graduates), and Simpson College (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 180 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Simpson College |
Master's
|
7 | Indianola, Iowa | Private | simpson.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Rider University |
Master's
|
6 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
5 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Master's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| Manhattan School of Music (MSM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | msmnyc.edu |
| Butler University |
Master's
|
4 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Berklee College of Music |
Master's
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
4 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Master's
|
4 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
|
4 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Master's
|
3 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
3 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
|
3 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Master's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
2 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Mercer University |
Master's
|
2 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Master's
|
2 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Master's
|
2 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| William Jewell College |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Liberty, Missouri | Private | jewell.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
2 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Baylor University |
Master's
|
2 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Master's
|
1 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Other Award
|
1 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Master's
|
1 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
|
1 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
1 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
1 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Lee University |
Master's
|
1 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Concordia University Texas (CTX) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Private | concordia.edu |
| McMurry University (McM) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Abilene, Texas | Private | mcm.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
1 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Conducting programs
How much can I earn with a Conducting degree?
Salaries for Conducting 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 110,220 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 Conducting programs?
Currently 54 accredited institutions offer Conducting degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Michigan State University (MSU) (12 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (10 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (9 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 Conducting growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 151 in 2010 to 180 in 2023-24. This represents a 19% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Conducting degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Music Directors and Composers, . Related occupations employ approximately 110,220 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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