by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Musicology & Ethnomusicology involves the study of Musicology And Ethnomusicology. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of The Forms And Methods Of Music Art, And The Functions Of Music, In Western And Non-Western Societies And Cultures. Includes Instruction In Music Theory, Musicological Research Methods, And Studies Of Specific Cultural Styles Such As Jazz, Folk Music, Rock, Ethnic Musical Traditions, And The Music Of Non-Western Cultures. Continue reading for the essential details every musicology & ethnomusicology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering musicology & ethnomusicology programs.
Nationwide, musicology & ethnomusicology draws strong interest, with 155 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for musicology & ethnomusicology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of musicology & ethnomusicology programs later in this article.
Studies in Musicology & Ethnomusicology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations musicology & ethnomusicology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a musicology & ethnomusicology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a musicology & ethnomusicology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several musicology & ethnomusicology 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 | 43 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 65 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 47 |
People currently working in careers related to musicology & ethnomusicology 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in musicology & ethnomusicology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying musicology & ethnomusicology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to musicology & ethnomusicology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to musicology & ethnomusicology.
| 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 musicology & ethnomusicology 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 musicology & ethnomusicology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers musicology & ethnomusicology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 37 different musicology & ethnomusicology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased musicology & ethnomusicology school rankings to help you.
Those considering musicology & ethnomusicology, 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.
