Music: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Music 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.

Currently 92 accredited institutions offer Music degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Berklee College of Music (285 graduates), Belmont University (104 graduates), and Liberty University (67 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,517 in 2010 to a peak of 1,262 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,141 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% 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.

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.