by our College Data Analytics TeamJazz Studies was the 544th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 574 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 7.3% increase in jazz degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 532.
This year's Best Jazz Studies Schools ranking compares 50 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of jazz programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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When studying Jazz, you’ll learn that talking to others to convey information effectively will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
jazz studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional jazz certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different jazz degree levels. Jazz Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest jazz degree you can get. Depending on the jazz studies degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to jazz, with approximately 28.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to jazz tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 33.5% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.0% |
| Some College Courses | 7.9% |
| High School Diploma | 7.2% |
Most workers in jazz have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in jazz studies have received.
This of course varies depending on which jazz career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your jazz degree? Jazz Studies careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to jazz studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | 182,800 | 6.0% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for jazz graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for jazz studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers jazz grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
With over 119 different jazz degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased jazz school rankings to help you with this.
Jazz Studies is one of 16 different types of Music programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 11,232 |
| Music Performance | 7,335 |
| Music Technology | 1,788 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 1,175 |
| Other Music | 1,117 |
