Music major
Music: courses, careers, and where to study
Music combines performance, theory, and history with applied study on a primary instrument or voice, suiting students who want formal training in composing, performing, or teaching music.
A Music major covers music theory, ear training and sight-singing, music history, and applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice, alongside ensemble participation and conducting. Programs commonly let students follow a track such as performance, composition, music education, jazz studies, or music technology, and many require a junior or senior recital or a composition portfolio. Bachelor of Music (BM) degrees concentrate heavily on the applied area, while Bachelor of Arts (BA) tracks leave more room for a second field; music education tracks add coursework and student teaching toward state licensure.
Graduates work as performers, composers and arrangers, private instructors, ensemble or church music directors, K-12 music teachers (with certification), and in music production, publishing, and arts administration. Many roles in performance, composition, conducting, and college teaching typically require a graduate degree such as a master's or doctorate, and freelance and contract work is common in the field.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median annual wage of $63,670 for music directors and composers, with projected employment about flat (-0.3%) from 2024 to 2034.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Music maps to CIP 50.0901, Music, General, within the VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS family. The official definition:
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What you'll study
- Music theory, harmony, and analysis
- Ear training, sight-singing, and aural skills
- Music history and literature across periods and styles
- Applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice
- Ensemble performance and conducting
- Composition, arranging, and orchestration
- Music technology, notation software, and recording basics
- A junior or senior recital or composition portfolio
Typical careers
- Music directors and composers
- Performer / Instrumentalist or Vocalist
- Private Music Instructor
- K-12 Music Teacher (with certification)
- Arranger / Orchestrator
- Music Producer / Audio Engineer
Typical salary range: BLS, 2024 music directors and composers median $63,670Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Music. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Musicians and Singers
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.
Before you commit to a Music major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Music program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Music department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Music program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Music programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
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How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.