Sacred Music: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program engage in a comprehensive exploration of music created for religious expression across historical and cultural contexts. The curriculum emphasizes both artistic mastery and theological understanding, preparing graduates for leadership roles in sacred music within faith communities.
- Historical Development of Sacred Music: Traces the evolution of liturgical and devotional music from early Christian chant through Renaissance polyphony to contemporary sacred compositions, highlighting key periods and regional traditions.
- Choral Conducting and Ensemble Leadership: Develops advanced skills in directing choirs, managing vocal ensembles, and coordinating musical performances within worship settings, with attention to rehearsal techniques and interpretive leadership.
- Organ and Keyboard Performance: Focuses on the technical and expressive capabilities of the organ and other keyboard instruments, particularly as used in liturgical contexts, including improvisation and accompaniment.
- Gregorian Chant and Liturgical Traditions: Provides in-depth study of plainsong and other formal chant systems, including notation, pronunciation, and performance practices central to Western and Eastern Christian worship.
- Music Composition for Worship: Encourages original composition within sacred frameworks, emphasizing text setting, harmonic language, and structural design appropriate for religious ceremonies and rituals.
- Music Theory and Analysis: Applies theoretical principles to sacred repertoire, analyzing harmonic structure, form, and stylistic features across diverse religious musical genres and historical periods.
- Worship Arts Integration: Explores the role of music within broader liturgical and pastoral contexts, fostering collaboration with clergy and religious educators to enhance spiritual experience through music.
Sacred Music Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sacred Music Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sacred Music degrees, including Philosophy and Religion 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 33,170 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 | $78,050 | $47,550 - $134,910 | 20,840 | N/A |
| Music Directors and Composers 27-2041 | $63,670 | $34,990 - $157,010 | 12,330 | $30.61 |
Sacred Music Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $38,665 in South Dakota to $90,280 in Maine—a 133% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 33,170 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 Sacred Music by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 81 institutions offering Sacred Music 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 Sacred Music is found at Liberty University (107 graduates), University of Mobile (12 graduates), Life Pacific University (LPUS) (12 graduates), Southeastern University (SEU) (12 graduates), and Dallas Baptist University (DBU) (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 394 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
107 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Mobile |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | umobile.edu |
| Life Pacific University (LPUS) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | San Dimas, California | Private | lifepacific.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
12 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) |
Master's
|
10 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sbts.edu |
| Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC‑JIR) |
Master's
|
9 | New York, New York | Private | huc.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Northwest University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
| North Central University (NCU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | northcentral.edu |
| North Greenville University (NGU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Tigerville, South Carolina | Private | ngu.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | nobts.edu |
| East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Marshall, Texas | Private | etbu.edu |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
6 | El Dorado Hills, California | Private | sum.edu |
| Manna University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | manna.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | jtsa.edu |
| Cairn University |
Master's
|
5 | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Master's
|
4 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Gods Bible School and College (GBS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | gbs.edu |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Steubenville, Ohio | Private | franciscan.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
4 | Houston, Texas | Private | stthom.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Academy for Jewish Religion California (AJRCA) |
Master's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Private | ajrca.edu |
| Valor Christian College |
Associate's
|
4 | Canal Winchester, Ohio | Private | valorcollege.edu |
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
| Truett McConnell University (TMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cleveland, Georgia | Private | truett.edu |
| Johnson University (JU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | johnsonu.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Universidad Teologica del Caribe (UTC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico | Private | utcpr.edu |
| International Baptist College and Seminary (IBCS) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | ibcs.edu |
| Williams Baptist University (WBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Walnut Ridge, Arkansas | Private | williamsbaptistuniversity.com |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Greenville University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Greenville, Illinois | Private | greenville.edu |
| Moody Bible Institute (MBI) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | moody.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Private | enc.edu |
| Concordia University (CUAA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Private | cuaa.edu |
| Great Lakes Christian College (GLCC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lansing, Michigan | Private | glcc.edu |
| Crown College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota | Private | crown.edu |
| Blue Mountain Christian University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Blue Mountain, Mississippi | Private | bmc.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hickory, North Carolina | Private | lr.edu |
| Randall University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Moore, Oklahoma | Private | ru.edu |
| Southwestern Christian University (SCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bethany, Oklahoma | Private | swcu.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| University of Valley Forge (UVF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Phoenixville, Pennsylvania | Private | valleyforge.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Union Bible College (UBCA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Westfield, Indiana | Private | ubca.org |
| Urshan College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Wentzville, Missouri | Private | urshancollege.org |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
|
1 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Anderson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Anderson, Indiana | Private | anderson.edu |
| Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (FBBC&TS) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ankeny, Iowa | Private | faith.edu |
| Asbury University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wilmore, Kentucky | Private | asbury.edu |
| Campbellsville University (CU) |
Master's
|
1 | Campbellsville, Kentucky | Private | campbellsville.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Hebrew College |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | hebrewcollege.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
|
1 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Concordia University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Private | oakhills.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Mission University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | mission.edu |
| Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | mbts.edu |
| Southwest Baptist University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bolivar, Missouri | Private | sbuniv.edu |
| Ohio Christian University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Circleville, Ohio | Private | ohiochristian.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| Bob Jones University (BJU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | bju.edu |
| Visible Music College |
Master's
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | visible.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sacred Music programs
How much can I earn with a Sacred Music degree?
Salaries for Sacred Music graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually, while Music Directors and Composers earn around $63,670. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $90,280 compared to $38,665 in South Dakota. Approximately 33,170 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 Sacred Music programs?
Currently 81 accredited institutions offer Sacred Music degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (107 graduates), University of Mobile (12 graduates), and Life Pacific University (LPUS) (12 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 Sacred Music growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 504 in 2010 to a peak of 481 in 2020, before declining slightly to 394 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% 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 Sacred Music degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Music Directors and Composers, . Related occupations employ approximately 33,170 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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