Stringed Instruments: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program develop advanced proficiency in playing stringed instruments while cultivating a professional-level performance practice. The curriculum emphasizes artistic expression, technical mastery, and collaborative musicianship across diverse performance settings.
- Instrumental Technique and Mastery: Focuses on refined physical control, tone production, and precision in playing, tailored to instruments such as violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
- Performance Practice: Explores historical performance styles, interpretive approaches, and stylistic accuracy across musical periods and genres.
- Solo Performance: Develops the ability to deliver compelling, independent performances with expressive depth and technical reliability.
- Ensemble Collaboration: Trains students in group performance dynamics, listening skills, and coordination within orchestras, chamber groups, and other ensembles.
- Accompaniment and Chamber Music: Builds expertise in supporting other musicians through sensitive, responsive playing in collaborative settings.
- Personal Artistic Development: Encourages the cultivation of individual musical voice, stylistic identity, and long-term artistic goals.
Stringed Instruments Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Stringed Instruments Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Stringed Instruments degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 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 136,240 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 |
| Musicians and Singers 27-2042 | N/A | N/A | 38,350 | $42.45 |
Stringed Instruments 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 136,240 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 Stringed Instruments by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering Stringed Instruments 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 Stringed Instruments is found at The Juilliard School (117 graduates), The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (72 graduates), Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (69 graduates), San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) (52 graduates), and Rice University (45 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 589 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Juilliard School |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
117 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
72 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| Manhattan School of Music (MSM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
69 | New York, New York | Private | msmnyc.edu |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52 | San Francisco, California | Private | sfcm.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
33 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
6 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Stetson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | DeLand, Florida | Private | stetson.edu |
| The New School |
Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Curtis Institute of Music |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | curtis.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Stringed Instruments programs
How much can I earn with a Stringed Instruments degree?
Salaries for Stringed Instruments graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Musicians and Singers earn around $0. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 136,240 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 Stringed Instruments programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer Stringed Instruments degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The Juilliard School (117 graduates), The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (72 graduates), and Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (69 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 Stringed Instruments growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 411 in 2010 to 589 in 2023-24. This represents a 43% 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 Stringed Instruments degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Musicians and Singers, . Related occupations employ approximately 136,240 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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