College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music

1,077 Colleges in the United States
15,839 Bachelor's Degrees
$25,137 Avg Early-Career Salary
Music is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #34 most popular bachelor's degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 1,077 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for music students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 15,839 bachelor's degrees in music during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Music School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music The music bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music ranking.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for music, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

Associate Degrees in Music
Master's Degrees in Music
Doctor's Degrees in Music
Overall Popularity in Music

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for music.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Music Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
657 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#16 Best Quality In MA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Berklee College of Music if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. Berklee College of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the city of Boston.

There were approximately 657 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Berklee College of Music in the most recent data year.

After graduating, music bachelor's recipients typically earn around $20,100 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Berklee College of Music

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Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
228 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#19 Best Quality In FL

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in music needs to check out Full Sail University. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university located in the suburb of Winter Park.

There were roughly 228 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Full Sail University in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make an average of $26,900 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Full Sail University

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186 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#8 Best Quality In TX

University of North Texas is a popular choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. UNT is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Denton. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Texas.

There were approximately 186 music individuals who graduated with this degree at UNT in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the music major at University of North Texas make $12,963 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of North Texas

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140 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#3 Best Quality In IN

Indiana University - Bloomington is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in music. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Indiana.

There were roughly 140 music individuals who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $16,100.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Indiana University - Bloomington

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Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
133 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Oberlin is a small private not-for-profit college located in the fringe town of Oberlin. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Ohio.

There were approximately 133 music students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program earn about $17,600 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Oberlin College

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126 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#7 Best Quality In NY

University of Rochester is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Rochester. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in New York.

There were about 126 music individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $19,000.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Rochester

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125 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#21 Best Quality In CA

CSUN is a fairly large public university located in the city of Northridge.

There were roughly 125 music students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually make about $19,700 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from California State University - Northridge

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118 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory of Music is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 118 music students who graduated with this degree at The New England Conservatory of Music in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career wages of $13,600.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from The New England Conservatory of Music

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113 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#24 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population.

There were approximately 113 music individuals who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year.

After graduation, music bachelor's recipients generally make around $13,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from California State University - Long Beach

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Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
107 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#3 Best Quality In TN

Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Tennessee.

There were about 107 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Belmont in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually make about $19,700 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Belmont University

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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
101 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#14 Best Quality In VA

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg.

There were approximately 101 music students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program earn about $22,300 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Liberty University

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
101 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#23 Best Quality In NY

Located in the city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

There were approximately 101 music individuals who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career wages of $16,500.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from The New School

13
98 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Illinois.

There were about 98 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually make around $22,400 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Northwestern University

13
98 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TN
#4 Best Quality In TN

Located in the midsize city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Tennessee.

There were roughly 98 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the music degree program at Middle Tennessee State University get $6,263 more than the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Middle Tennessee State University

15
96 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#20 Best Quality In NY

Manhattan School of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were approximately 96 music students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School of Music in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, music bachelor's recipients typically earn about $17,500 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Manhattan School of Music

16
88 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#13 Best Quality In NY

Juilliard is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were approximately 88 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Juilliard in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from The Juilliard School

17
87 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Florida.

There were roughly 87 music students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $24,900.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Florida State University

18
83 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#4 Best Quality In CO

CU Anschutz is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Denver. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Colorado.

There were about 83 music students who graduated with this degree at CU Anschutz in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career income of $25,100.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

18
83 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#11 Best Quality In TX

Located in the town of Nacogdoches, SFASU is a public university with a large student population.

There were about 83 music students who graduated with this degree at SFASU in the most recent year we have data available.

Music bachelor's degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University receive an earnings boost of approximately $15,463 over the typical earnings of music graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Stephen F Austin State University

20
81 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were roughly 81 music students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, music bachelor's recipients generally earn about $21,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

21
Rowan crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
78 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#3 Best Quality In NJ

Rowan is a large public university located in the large suburb of Glassboro. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in New Jersey.

There were roughly 78 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Rowan in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the music degree program at Rowan University earn $7,863 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Rowan University

22
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
77 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#3 Best Quality In VA

Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Virginia.

There were roughly 77 music students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the music program at James Madison University earn $6,463 more than the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from James Madison University

22
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
77 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NJ
#6 Best Quality In NJ

Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in New Jersey.

There were approximately 77 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Rider in the most recent data year.

After graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually earn about $21,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Rider University

24
76 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NY
#11 Best Quality In NY

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.

There were roughly 76 music individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, music bachelor's recipients generally earn around $16,900 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from New York University

24
76 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NJ
#4 Best Quality In NJ

Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in New Jersey.

There were roughly 76 music students who graduated with this degree at Montclair State in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually earn around $21,000 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Montclair State University

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U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
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33
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

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Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
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OCU crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
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Additional Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1077 different United States music schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
50University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT
52Luther CollegeDecorah, IA
53University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
53West Texas A&M UniversityCanyon, TX
55Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN
55Purchase CollegePurchase, NY
55SUNY FredoniaFredonia, NY
55The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX
55St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN
60University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO
61California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA
61Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA
61University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
64University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
64University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
64The City College of New YorkNew York, NY
67University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
67University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas City, MO
67University of IowaIowa City, IA
70William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ
70West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
72University of FloridaGainesville, FL
72San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
72California State University - ChicoChico, CA
72Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX
72University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI
77University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
77Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
79The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX
79Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
79Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL
79Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
79Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
79University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
85University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK
85Capital UniversityColumbus, OH
85Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA
85University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
85University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
90Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
90Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
90University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
93Texas A&M University - CommerceCommerce, TX
93University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
93The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX
93University of New HavenWest Haven, CT
93SUNY PotsdamPotsdam, NY
98University of MemphisMemphis, TN
98Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, PA
98Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main CampusIndiana, PA
98Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL
98Utah State UniversityLogan, UT
98Lawrence UniversityAppleton, WI
104Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
104Brigham Young University - IdahoRexburg, ID
104Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
107Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL
107Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
107University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
107Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
107Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ
112Ohio University - Athens CampusAthens, OH
112Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL
112Puerto Rico Conservatory of MusicSan Juan, PR
112University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL
112The College of Saint RoseAlbany, NY
117Furman UniversityGreenville, SC
117The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
117Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
117The University of the ArtsPhiladelphia, PA
117Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TX
117Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, NJ
117Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
124San Francisco Conservatory of MusicSan Francisco, CA
124Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
124University of California - BerkeleyBerkeley, CA
124Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC
128Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY
128California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
128University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
128University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
128Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
128University of California - Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA
128University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
135Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA
135The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
135Chapman UniversityOrange, CA
135Towson UniversityTowson, MD
135University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
135Curtis Institute of MusicPhiladelphia, PA
135Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT
135Boston UniversityBoston, MA
143University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
143Murray State UniversityMurray, KY
143University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
143Queens CollegeQueens, NY
143Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL
143Los Angeles College of MusicPasadena, CA
143Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA
150University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
150New Jersey City UniversityJersey City, NJ
150Brown UniversityProvidence, RI
150University of MississippiUniversity, MS
150University of KansasLawrence, KS
150Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
156Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
156University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
156California State University - Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
156Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA
156University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA
156California State University - FresnoFresno, CA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music award.

RankCollegeLocation
162San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA
162Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX
162University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
162Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA
162Texas A&M University - KingsvilleKingsville, TX
162Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL
162University of DenverDenver, CO
162Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC
162Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN
162University of Maryland - Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD
162University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
162Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
162Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA
162East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
162Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA
177Mansfield University of PennsylvaniaMansfield, PA
177Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN
177University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA
177Wheaton College IllinoisWheaton, IL
177DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
177University of Washington - Seattle CampusSeattle, WA
177DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN
177Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
177Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
177University of KentuckyLexington, KY
177Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN
188University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston-Salem, NC
188University of New Hampshire - Main CampusDurham, NH
188Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO
188Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA
188University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
188Rice UniversityHouston, TX
188Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, VA
188University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
188Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY
188Radford UniversityRadford, VA
188University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH
199Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA
199Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA
199Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY
199Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA
199Northern Vermont UniversityJohnson, VT
199The University of MontanaMissoula, MT
199Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
199University of TulsaTulsa, OK
207Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL
207Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
207Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
207University of California - RiversideRiverside, CA
207University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
207The Master’s University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA
207Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT
207Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA
207Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA
207Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA
207Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, OH

Music by Region

View the Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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One of 10 majors within the Visual & Performing Arts area of study, Music has other similar majors worth exploring.

Music Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
General Music7,886
Music Performance4,318
Other Music886
Music Technology656
Music Theory & Composition595
Voice Performance364
Jazz Studies347
Stringed Instruments209
Keyboard Instruments174
Music History141

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts25,775
Design & Applied Arts19,683
Drama & Theater Arts13,307
Film, Video & Photographic Arts11,965
General Visual & Performing Arts3,699
Arts & Media Management3,298
Dance2,817
Other Visual Art529
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry76
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art3

Notes and References

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