by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, music performance was the 116th most popular major nationwide with 7,335 degrees awarded. This 622 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.5%.
This year's Best Music Performance Schools ranking compares 233 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of music performance programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
When studying Music Performance, you’ll learn that talking to others to convey information effectively will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. 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 teaching others how to do something are all required skills for careers related to this major.
music performance 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. Specific music performance careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of music performance degrees. Music Performance programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest music performance degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common music performance degree levels is shown below.
| 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 music performance, with approximately 31.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to music performance tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 34.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 26.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.3% |
| High School Diploma | 4.2% |
| Some College Courses | 2.6% |
61.0% of music performance workers have at least a master's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in music performance careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the music performance career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your music performance degree? Music Performance careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to music performance.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | 182,800 | 6.0% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 79,100 | 5.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for music performance graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for music performance graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers music performance grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $59,790 |
With over 861 different music performance 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 music performance school rankings to help you with this.
One of 16 majors within the Music area of study, Music Performance has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 11,232 |
| Music Technology | 1,788 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 1,175 |
| Other Music | 1,117 |
| Voice Performance | 656 |
