Bachelors In

Music Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.

Why We Love It

  • $76,710
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251121.htm for 25-1121 Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

A bachelor of music program is a professional degree program that provides students with formalized education in their specific area of interest.

While many music majors concentrate in refining their skills with a specific instrument, other focus on vocal performance, music composition, or conducting. Graduates go on to form bands, write music, sing professionally, and conduct orchestras or operas.

What is a Degree in Music?

Bachelor’s degrees in music are focused on training students to become professional musicians, singers, songwriters, conductors, and performers. Students choose concentrations in their field of interest, which could be focused on a specific instrument, vocal performance, musical theater, opera, orchestra, or music history.

In addition to their core coursework, all students study musical theory, the music industry, and music history coursework, and they are often involved in school theater productions and performances.

Graduates of music programs can go into many different types of careers. Many find work in operas, orchestras, musicals, and other traditional performance art forms. Others go into more modern music, working as signers, in bands, and as songwriters.

Some also choose to use their skills to work as educators, offering instrument lessons to individuals, teaching music in primary and secondary schools, or teaching music in college as a professor. Even others go on to manage bands, theaters, or touring groups.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Music?

  • Music Theory
  • Piano
  • Music Literature
  • Ensemble Performance
  • Music Education
  • Vocal Performance
  • Music Composition
  • Music Therapy

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Music?

Music is an important part of our everyday lives, from songs on the radio to operas at the Metropolitan in New York City. There are always opportunities for talented singers, songwriters, and musicians to entertain others with their musicality.

However, careers for this degree aren’t limited to the music industry. Many music majors go on to work in business as marketers, artists, designers, and brand ambassadors. Because of their education in an artistic discipline, a transition to an art-based profession is often seamless.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Music will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Music Degrees

With a bachelor of music, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in the performing arts and music industries. Many graduates go on to form or join popular bands, earn a living writing songs for pop singers, manage popular bands, or perform as singers.

Others enter the world of performing arts and entertain theater patrons in musical ensembles, operas, plays, and orchestras as stars, conductors, or directors.


How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Music degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

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