by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Music Management involves the study of Music Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Organize And Manage Music Organizations, Operations, Facilities, And Personnel. Includes Instruction In Business And Financial Management; Marketing And Fundraising; Personnel Management And Labor Relations; Event Promotion And Management; Music Products Merchandising; Artist Agency And Promotion; Music Law; And Applications To Specific Activities Such As Managing Theaters, Recording Studios And Companies, Bands And Other Ensembles, Individual Artists, And Music Organizations. Examples: [Music Merchandising]. Read on to learn the key facts every music management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering music management programs.
Across the country, music management is a widely-pursued major, with 1,866 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Music Management Schools ranking analyzes these 106 schools to determine the best overall colleges for music management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of music management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Music Management develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations music management graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a music management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a music management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several music management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 149 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,346 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 350 |
People currently working in careers related to music management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in music management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in music management can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to music management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to music management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of music management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $30,449 |
| 4 years | $42,732 |
| 5 years | $47,703 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for music management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers music management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 106 different music management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased music management school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in music management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General | 982 |
| Fine and Studio Arts Management | 930 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Other | 432 |
| Theatre/Theatre Arts Management | 220 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
