by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 93 U.S. colleges awarded 1,235 degrees and certificates in Other Music. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 74% of graduates. College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Other 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 degree in Other Music involves the study of Music, Other. Any Instructional Program In Music Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other music draws strong interest, with 1,235 degrees awarded annually. 93 colleges award other music degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 311.
By level, the 1,235 awards include 20 certificates, 63 associate degrees, 917 bachelor’s degrees, 219 master’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 46% of other music degrees and certificates in the latest year (563 of 1,235). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (648) and Hispanic or Latino (140), and international students earned 164.
College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Other Music Schools ranking, including 5 for associate degrees, 23 for bachelor’s degrees, 14 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks other music schools within 15 states. In all, 93 colleges offer other music programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Music Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other music credential is the bachelor’s degree: 917 of the 1,235 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other music call most for Speaking, Instructing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other music degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 63 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 917 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 219 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other music, at 46.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Other Music, with an average median salary of $70,156; the strongest outlook belongs to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 9.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Art History Professor, Adjunct Graphic Design Instructor, Fine Arts Teacher and Adjunct Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to other music, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
Other 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 highest-paying occupation related to other music is Musicians and Singers, with a median salary of $96,571.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Other Music has 16 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 25,034 degrees a year; the largest are Music, General (10,882), Music Performance, General (7,138) and Music Technology (2,097). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music, General | 10,882 |
| Music Performance, General | 7,138 |
| Music Technology | 2,097 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1,337 |
| Voice and Opera | 651 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 598 |
| Stringed Instruments | 585 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 536 |
| Music Pedagogy | 402 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 168 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
