by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Music History explores Music History, Literature, And Theory. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The Historical Evolution Of Music As A Social And Intellectual Phenomenon, The Development Of Musical Instruments And Techniques, And The Analysis And Criticism Of Musical Literature. Includes Instruction In Music History Research Methods, Aesthetic Analysis Of Musical Compositions, History Of Musical Writing And Notation, The Development Of Musical Instruments, The Development Of Music Theory, And The Study Of Specific Periods, Cultural Traditions, Styles, And Themes. Continue reading for the key facts every music history major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering music history programs.
In the U.S., music history draws strong interest, with 166 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Music History Schools ranking analyzes these 39 schools to determine the best overall colleges for music history students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of music history programs later in this article.
Programs in Music History build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations music history graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a music history program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a music history major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several music history 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 118 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 42 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to music history tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 50.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in music history careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying music history can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to music history.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to music history.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of music history 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 music history graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers music history grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 39 different music history programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased music history school rankings to help you.
Those considering music history, 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 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 534 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 523 |
| Music Pedagogy | 385 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
