by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 37 U.S. colleges awarded 168 degrees and certificates in Musicology & Ethnomusicology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Musicology & Ethnomusicology 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 Musicology & Ethnomusicology involves the study of Musicology And Ethnomusicology. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of The Forms And Methods Of Music Art, And The Functions Of Music, In Western And Non-Western Societies And Cultures. Includes Instruction In Music Theory, Musicological Research Methods, And Studies Of Specific Cultural Styles Such As Jazz, Folk Music, Rock, Ethnic Musical Traditions, And The Music Of Non-Western Cultures.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, musicology & ethnomusicology draws strong interest, with 168 degrees awarded annually. 37 colleges award musicology & ethnomusicology degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 30.
By level, the 168 awards include 45 bachelor’s degrees, 71 master’s degrees and 52 doctorates.
Women earned 54% of musicology & ethnomusicology degrees and certificates in the latest year (90 of 168). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (96) and Hispanic or Latino (16), and international students earned 25.
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks musicology & ethnomusicology schools within 2 states. In all, 37 colleges offer musicology & ethnomusicology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common musicology & ethnomusicology credential is the master’s degree: 71 of the 168 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to musicology & ethnomusicology 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 a musicology & ethnomusicology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 45 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 71 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 52 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to musicology & ethnomusicology, at 47.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Musicology & Ethnomusicology, with an average median salary of $56,949; the strongest outlook belongs to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 9.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Performing Arts Instructor, Piano Professor, Art History Professor and Instructor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to musicology & ethnomusicology, 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% |
Musicology & Ethnomusicology 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 musicology & ethnomusicology is Music Directors and Composers, with a median salary of $66,915.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Musicology & Ethnomusicology has 16 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 26,101 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 |
| Music, Other | 1,235 |
| Voice and Opera | 651 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 598 |
| Stringed Instruments | 585 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 536 |
| Music Pedagogy | 402 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
