by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Sound Arts involves the study of A Program That Focuses On Sound As A Form Of Cultural Expression, And Its Relationship To Other Disciplines Such As Computer Programming, Performance, And Video. Includes Instruction In Acoustics; Arranging, Composing, And Editing Music; Music Theory; Musicology; Orchestration And Scoring; And Sound Design. Read on to learn the essential details every sound arts major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sound arts programs.
Across the country, sound arts is a widely-pursued major, with 53 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sound Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sound arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sound arts programs later in this article.
Programs in Sound Arts develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sound arts graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a sound arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a sound arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sound arts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 14 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 29 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to sound arts 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 sound arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in sound arts can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to sound arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sound arts.
| 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 sound arts graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 sound arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sound arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 8 different sound arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sound arts school rankings to help you.
Students interested in sound arts, 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.
