# Music

> A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/music
- CIP code: 50.09 (Visual and Performing Arts)
- Colleges offering it: 1,058 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 197 | $22,648 | $34,014 | $7,125 |
| Associate's | 330 | $25,049 | $37,319 | $21,416 |
| Bachelor's | 1,058 | $34,536 | $43,386 | $23,183 |
| Master's | 321 | $37,309 | $47,357 | $39,700 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 18 | $38,056 | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 103 | $46,394 | $57,796 | $41,032 |
| First professional | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 118 | $28,827 | not reported | $48,000 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Sonoma State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/sonoma-state-university-2438) | Rohnert Park, CA | $65,533 | not reported |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Hoboken, NJ | $61,943 | $27,000 |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Gainesville, FL | $61,446 | $13,725 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Boston, MA | $60,974 | $18,500 |
| [The University of Texas at El Paso](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso-2766) | El Paso, TX | $60,172 | $17,334 |
| [University of Redlands](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-redlands-3024) | Redlands, CA | $59,275 | $23,322 |
| [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley-2774) | Edinburg, TX | $59,218 | $13,956 |
| [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vanderbilt-university-3113) | Nashville, TN | $59,217 | $8,207 |
| [The University of Texas at Arlington](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington-2763) | Arlington, TX | $59,198 | $18,202 |
| [Sam Houston State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/sam-houston-state-university-2333) | Huntsville, TX | $58,743 | $24,246 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/art-drama-and-music-teachers-postsecondary): $78,620 median pay
- [Music Directors and Composers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/music-directors-and-composers): $73,710 median pay
- [Sound Engineering Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sound-engineering-technicians): $73,130 median pay
- [Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/secondary-school-teachers-except-special-and-career-technical-education): $72,040 median pay

## More in Visual and Performing Arts

- [Fine and Studio Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/fine-and-studio-arts): 1,052 colleges
- [Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/drama-theatre-arts-and-stagecraft): 862 colleges
- [Design and Applied Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/design-and-applied-arts): 652 colleges
- [Film/Video and Photographic Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/film-video-and-photographic-arts): 427 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-general): 298 colleges
- [Dance](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/dance): 278 colleges
- [Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/arts-entertainment-and-media-management): 230 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-other): 62 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/