by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Keyboard Instruments involves the study of Keyboard Instruments. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Master The Piano, Organ, Or Related Keyboard Instruments And Performing Art As Solo, Ensemble, And/or Accompanist Performers. Includes Instruction In Piano And Keyboard Pedagogy, Ensemble Playing, Accompanying, Service Playing, Repertoire, Keyboard And Pedal Skills, Recital, And Personal Style Development. Examples: [Piano], [Organ], [Harpsichord]. Read on to learn the essential details every keyboard instruments major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering keyboard instruments programs.
Nationwide, keyboard instruments draws strong interest, with 534 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Keyboard Instruments Schools ranking analyzes these 63 schools to determine the best overall colleges for keyboard instruments students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of keyboard instruments programs later in this article.
Programs in Keyboard Instruments emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations keyboard instruments graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a keyboard instruments program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a keyboard instruments major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several keyboard instruments 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 | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 162 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 325 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 35 |
People currently working in careers related to keyboard instruments tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 49.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in keyboard instruments careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying keyboard instruments can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to keyboard instruments.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to keyboard instruments.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of keyboard instruments graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 keyboard instruments graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers keyboard instruments grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 63 different keyboard instruments programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased keyboard instruments school rankings to help you.
Those considering keyboard instruments, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music, General | 10,690 |
| 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 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 523 |
| Music Pedagogy | 385 |
| Conducting | 180 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
