by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Other Music involves the study of Music, Other. Any Instructional Program In Music Not Listed Above. Read on to learn the key facts every other music major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other music programs.
In the U.S., other music draws strong interest, with 1,141 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Music Schools ranking analyzes these 92 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other music students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other music programs later in this article.
Studies in Other Music build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other music graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a other music program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a other music major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other 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 | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 47 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 847 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 203 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to other music tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in other music careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in other music can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to other music.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other music.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
| Musicians and Singers | 44,568 | 7.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of other 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 other music graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other music grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $96,571 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 92 different other music programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other music school rankings to help you.
Those considering other music, 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 |
| 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.
