by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 991 U.S. colleges awarded 10,882 degrees and certificates in General Music. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 242 schools in its 2027 Best General Music Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,221 one year after completing, rising to $45,008 after four years.
A major in General Music covers Music, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Introductory Study And Appreciation Of Music And The Performing Arts. Includes Instruction In Music, Dance, And Other Performing Arts Media.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general music draws strong interest, with 10,882 degrees awarded annually. 991 colleges award general music degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 118.
By level, the 10,882 awards include 20 certificates, 1,220 associate degrees, 7,135 bachelor’s degrees, 1,905 master’s degrees and 599 doctorates.
Women earned 46% of general music degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,038 of 10,882). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,958) and Hispanic or Latino (1,891), and international students earned 753.
College Factual ranks 242 schools in its 2027 Best General Music Schools ranking, including 30 for associate degrees, 188 for bachelor’s degrees, 79 for master’s degrees and 31 for doctorates. It also ranks general music schools within 45 states. In all, 991 colleges offer general music programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Music Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general music credential is the bachelor’s degree: 7,135 of the 10,882 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general music call most for Instructing, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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How long a general music degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,220 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,135 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,905 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 599 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general music, at 73.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 73.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.2% |
| Master’s degree | 4.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to General Music, with an average median salary of $87,249; the strongest outlook belongs to Musicians and Singers, at 7.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Secondary Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Guitar Teacher and Manual Training Teacher.
The occupation related to general music with the most projected jobs is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, at 571,954.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
General Music graduates earn a median $29,221 one year after completing their program, $45,008 after four years and $40,994 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,221 |
| 4 years | $45,008 |
| 5 years | $40,994 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general music, with a median salary of $96,571.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
General Music has 16 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 15,387 degrees a year; the largest are Music Performance, General (7,138), Music Technology (2,097) and Music Theory and Composition (1,337). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance, General | 7,138 |
| Music Technology | 2,097 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1,337 |
| Music, Other | 1,235 |
| Voice and Opera | 651 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 598 |
| Stringed Instruments | 585 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 536 |
| Music Pedagogy | 402 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 168 |
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