by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Music covers Music, General. 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. Read on to learn the key facts every general music major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general music programs.
In the U.S., general music draws strong interest, with 10,690 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Music Schools ranking analyzes these 997 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general music students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general music programs later in this article.
Programs in General Music emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general music graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a general music program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general music major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general music 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 | 39 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,009 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,179 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,848 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 612 |
People currently working in careers related to general music tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 73.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.2% |
| Master’s degree | 4.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general music careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general music opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general music.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general music.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general music graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,248 |
| 4 years | $35,586 |
| 5 years | $40,828 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general music graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general music grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
With 997 different general music programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general music school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general music, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance, General | 7,193 |
| Music Technology | 1,938 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1,336 |
| Music, Other | 1,141 |
| Voice and Opera | 668 |
| Stringed Instruments | 589 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 534 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 523 |
| Music Pedagogy | 385 |
| Conducting | 180 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
