HUMANITIES Specialization

Music

Music graduates earn $42,892 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,048 and $58,755. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

Explore Program

About Music

Music is a focused area of study within Visual & Performing Arts. Graduates typically earn around $42,892 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,387 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 26,167 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $26,011
Median Earnings · 4yr: $42,892
Colleges Offering: 1,387
Graduates / Year: 26,167
Avg Net Price / yr: $27,839

How Much Do Music Graduates Earn?

Music graduates earn $42,892 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,048 and $58,755. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $26,011 climbs to $42,892 by year four.

$26,011

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$42,892

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$43,386

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Music graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$26,048 25th pct.

$42,892 Median

$58,755 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $42,892 and an estimated $111,356 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 8.6 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 1,084 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 26,167 students who complete Music programs each year, the majority (60%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

60% 24%

Bachelor's 60%

Master's 24%

Associate's 8%

What Can You Do With a Music Degree?

Music connects to 5 occupations in the job market. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary leads at $78,620/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,620

$62K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 9,000 openings/yr 94K employed nationally

Speaking Instructing Learning Strategies Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.

↘ -0.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Music Director & Composer

$73,710

$53K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 4,300 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

↘ -1.7% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Sound Engineering Technicians

$73,130

$50K $100K 25th–75th pct.

Postsecondary nondegree award 1,200 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Operation and Control

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.

↘ -1.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 66,200 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

↗ +1.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Musician & Singer

No formal educational credential 19,400 openings/yr 36K employed nationally

Speaking Monitoring Active Listening Social Perceptiveness Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.

Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.

Top Colleges for Music

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Music students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Berklee College of Music Boston, MA · Nonprofit	808	43.5%	$49,465	$33,647
2	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public	427	78.2%	$16,264	$63,742
3	Manhattan School of Music New York, NY · Nonprofit	379	40.8%	$51,754	$26,878
4	University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public	352	72.2%	$15,649	$57,010
5	The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MA · Nonprofit	333	41.1%	$46,754	$34,483
6	The New School New York, NY · Nonprofit	308	63.5%	$58,741	$52,901
7	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	263	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
8	University of Rochester Rochester, NY · Nonprofit	251	40.1%	$29,278	$79,042
9	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public	238	85.3%	$25,648	$54,810
10	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	227	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
11	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	211	9.8%	$32,740	$92,498
12	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public	208	24.2%	$11,297	$61,675
13	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit	204	6.4%	$18,809	$87,555
14	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	198	99%	$29,357	$44,813
15	University of Miami Coral Gables, FL · Nonprofit	192	18.9%	$37,244	$75,328
16	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	183	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
17	Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit	172	7.7%	$29,167	$89,363
18	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN · Public	168	69.1%	$13,359	$48,541
19	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	147	42.4%	$14,355	$81,054
20	California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public	145	93.5%	$7,021	$59,115

View all colleges

Ranked by Music graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Music program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Music degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Music Degree: Pros & Cons

Music carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $26,011 at graduation to $42,892 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 100,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availability Offered at 1,387 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $42,892 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 3 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 8.6 years.

Music Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Music graduates earn?

Music graduates earn a national median of $42,892 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,048 and $58,755. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Music degree?

One year after graduation, Music degree holders earn a median of $26,011. That climbs to $42,892 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Music degree?

Music degree holders pursue careers including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, which pays a median of $78,620/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Music program take?

A Music bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Music?

1,387 colleges and universities in the United States offer Music programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Music degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $42,892 and an average net price of roughly $27,839/yr, a Music degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Music and Visual & Performing Arts?

Music is a focused concentration within the broader Visual & Performing Arts field. The Visual & Performing Arts major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Music-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Music graduates?

Employers hiring Music graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Music graduates?

The job outlook for Music graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -0.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary is among the strongest-growth roles at +1.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.