Music Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Music Management equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead and sustain music-related enterprises across diverse sectors. This interdisciplinary program blends creative industry knowledge with core business principles, preparing graduates to navigate the complex landscape of modern music organizations.
- Business and Financial Management: Develops skills in budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal oversight essential for the sustainable operation of music ventures, from independent labels to touring ensembles.
- Marketing and Fundraising: Focuses on audience engagement strategies, brand development, and revenue generation through grants, sponsorships, and digital campaigns tailored to music-driven initiatives.
- Personnel Management and Labor Relations: Covers recruitment, team leadership, contract negotiation, and conflict resolution within music teams, ensuring compliance and fostering productive work environments.
- Event Promotion and Management: Teaches end-to-end planning for live performances, concerts, and music festivals, including logistics, ticketing, vendor coordination, and risk assessment.
- Music Products Merchandising: Explores the design, distribution, and sales of branded merchandise, digital content, and music-related goods to enhance fan engagement and revenue streams.
- Artist Agency and Promotion: Provides insight into talent representation, career development, public relations, and digital presence strategies for individual musicians and performance groups.
- Music Law: Addresses intellectual property rights, licensing agreements, contract law, and regulatory frameworks governing music creation, distribution, and performance.
- Specialized Applications: Applies core competencies to real-world contexts such as managing recording studios, live performance venues, music production companies, touring bands, and nonprofit music organizations.
Music Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music Management 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 |
Music Management 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 Music Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Music Management 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 Management is found at Berklee College of Music (281 graduates), Belmont University (263 graduates), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) (136 graduates), Full Sail University (111 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (95 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,860 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
281 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
263 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
136 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
111 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
95 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
91 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
59 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
58 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
29 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Associate's
|
25 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Other Award
|
12 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
9 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| Anderson University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Anderson, Indiana | Private | anderson.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Musicians Institute (MI) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Hollywood, California | Private | mi.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Master's
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
| Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
6 | Pasadena, California | Private | lacm.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
5 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Billings, Montana | Public | msubillings.edu |
| South Carolina State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Public | scsu.edu |
| McLennan Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Waco, Texas | Public | mclennan.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Senatobia, Mississippi | Public | northwestms.edu |
| Herkimer County Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Herkimer, New York | Public | herkimer.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Capital University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
|
4 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Villa Maria College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Private | villa.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Anderson University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Anderson, South Carolina | Private | andersonuniversity.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | McKenzie, Tennessee | Private | bethelu.edu |
| Shoreline Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Shoreline, Washington | Public | shoreline.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (HWC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Lewis University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
2 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Augsburg University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | augsburg.edu |
| Bergen Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Paramus, New Jersey | Public | bergen.edu |
| Jamestown Community College (JCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Jamestown, New York | Public | sunyjcc.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Other Award
|
2 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| South Mountain Community College (SMCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | southmountaincc.edu |
| Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | arkansasbaptist.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| Berry College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Berry, Georgia | Private | berry.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| Montreat College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Montreat, North Carolina | Private | montreat.edu |
| Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bartlesville, Oklahoma | Private | okwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music Management programs
How much can I earn with a Music Management degree?
Salaries for Music Management 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 Music Management programs?
Currently 106 accredited institutions offer Music Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Berklee College of Music (281 graduates), Belmont University (263 graduates), and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) (136 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 Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,736 in 2010 to a peak of 2,161 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,866 in 2023-24. This represents a 7% 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 Music Management 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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