Top Online Music Degree Programs and Industry Salary 2023/2024

An online Music degree provides a variety of musical, analytical, and technical skills, depending on concentration choice and elective selections. A classic guitar performance major, for example, works toward different learning goals than a music education major. But all music degrees typically create a solid foundation in subjects including music theory, music history, aural learning, and basic piano. Upon this foundation, students branch out into their respective areas, training for performance, learning educational techniques, working in a sound production booth, or mastering composition and orchestration.

Reputable and accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Music programs in a variety of specializations are offered online, providing a convenient option for those who want to explore their passion for music through an online degree.

Online Music Degrees

There are many options to consider when choosing your online music degree. Each choice has its own merits and specializations, so there may be a degree that favors your vision of your educational experience and career path.

Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:

• Music Business
• Music Composition
• Music Production
• Music Studies
• Songwriting
• Worship Studies

Regardless of the specialty you select, each of these can still help you obtain a strong foundation in music and related courses.

Bachelor’s in Music Business Online

If you are looking to start a career in the music industry, an online music business degree may be a great option for you. This degree is designed to help students learn the ins and outs of the business of music, helping them prepare for a variety of careers including artist management, publishing, booking, concert and artist promotion, and label supervising.

You will likely take courses on several facets of the music industry, including licensing, concert touring, finance, legal issues, and entrepreneurship. You may also take courses on music theory, keyboard, harmony, and ear training.

Overall, this degree can help give you the credentials needed to succeed in the industry, knowledge of how this industry operates, and the skills needed to succeed in this complex, evolving, and unique field.

Bachelor’s in Music Composition Online

Many Bachelor’s in Music Composition online programs help students learn about the music composition process, but some programs also focus on how to mix audio for media like film, TV, and video games.

As you might expect, the curriculum for a Bachelor’s in Music Composition involves taking many courses on music theory, but you may also take classes focused on technology and its relationship to music.

This can help you become well prepared to compose, orchestrate, record, and mix audio for a variety of media. Some programs offer such hands-on experience that you will have a substantial portfolio of work to take with you into the job market.

Bachelor’s in Music Production Online

An online music production degree program is designed to help students gain skills in recording, editing, and mixing music. In addition to more traditional music courses, students often take courses like audio fundamentals, critical listening, music production analysis, and microphone techniques.

You may pursue a variety of music styles in your studies, and your program may allow you to take more specialized courses depending on your career goals.

Speaking of careers, a Bachelor’s in Music Production can help prepare you for a career as a music producer or sound technician, in addition to the many engineering roles in music, such as a recording engineer, live sound engineer, or mix engineer.

Bachelor’s in Music Studies Online

Among the online music degrees, this is the most generalized option designed to give you the flexibility to explore your passions and career interests. You will likely take music courses such as composition, theory, and harmony, along with courses in music production, technology, and business.

This type of program can help you build your skills as a musician in a multitude of areas and challenge you to think creatively about your educational experience and career path.

Bachelor’s in Songwriting Online

An online Bachelor’s Degree in Songwriting program can give you opportunities to develop and hone your craft as a songwriter. This type of program is designed to allow students to spend time developing their skills in each aspect of the songwriting process, from harmony and melody to song structure and lyrics.

You will likely take many courses that can be invaluable to developing your writing process, including courses on harmony, melody, lyric writing, songwriting, and collaborative songwriting.

In a great Bachelor’s in Songwriting program, students graduate not only with the knowledge and skills of professional songwriters but with highly polished portfolios to back them up.

Bachelor’s in Worship Studies Online

An online Bachelor’s Degree in Worship Studies can help you learn how to enhance worship through music. The courses in this type of program focus on the different approaches to worship and best practices for using music to bring a community together for a higher purpose.

Courses focus on leadership and the principles, history, and philosophy surrounding worship. With this degree, you may pursue a career as a church music director, pastor, music minister, or worship leader.

Bachelors in Music Careers & Salaries

While most Bachelor’s Degree can help open doors to interesting and fulfilling careers, there are many opportunities for those who specifically want to work with music.

You might choose to pass on your love for and knowledge of music as an educator, or you might work more directly in the music industry as a musician, songwriter, music director, music producer, or audio engineer.

A degree in music might also lead to such a career as a Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will have a 9% change in growth (much faster than average) through the next ten years.

There are many careers for professionals holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Here are some of the most common careers and their average salaries:

There are many fulfilling careers available to those who hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Your career can benefit from a Bachelor’s Degree in a variety of fields, but a specialized program in which you can pursue your passions and hone your skills can be special opportunity that may benefit you both personally and professionally.

Online Bachelor of Music Curriculum & Courses

Even though there are a wide range of specializations you could pursue while in a Bachelor’s Degree in Music program, there are many courses that most students take.

Here are some examples of courses you may take while enrolled at an online music college:

• Music Business: An introductory Music Business course focuses on taking a broad look at the music industry as a whole, examining how the different facets of the industry operate.
• Music Foundations: This course focuses on the essential aspects of music, regardless of your instrument, particularly harmony and ear training.
• Basic Ear Training: This course can help you as a musician and performer, taking a deep dive into notes, harmonies, and rhythms.
• Legal Aspects of the Music Industry: This course examines the legalities surrounding music and is often invaluable to anyone attempting to break into the industry.
• Artist Management: This course explores the various roles of an artist manager, the manager-artist relationship, the challenges a manager may encounter, and the leadership qualities that constitute an excellent manager.
• Art of Mixing: This course explores all of the facets and steps to the audio mixing process, and the impact that a quality audio mix will have on a piece of music.
• Vocal Production: This course focuses on every aspect of producing the vocals for a song, from pre-production to recording to post-production, along with examining the importance and impact of vocals to a song.
• Lyric Writing: Courses in lyric writing can help you hone your craft as a songwriter by focusing on techniques to generate lyrical ideas, express them effectively, and generate them into a captivating piece of music.
• Harmony: This course focuses on how harmony works and how to recognize and use effective chord progressions in music.
• Music Theory and Composition: A basic music theory course focuses on music fundamentals and will dive into scales, chords, and major and minor keys.

Courses like these are often fascinating and can help you develop invaluable skills and knowledge about the music industry and the art of music.

Admissions Requirements

All colleges and universities will have an application that you must complete to be considered for admission, which may include a statement on your educational and career goals and how your chosen program will allow you to reach your objective.

Often, letters of recommendation (either academic, professional, or personal) and SAT or ACT scores may be required, along with your official transcripts from high school (or equivalent credential) or any colleges or universities you may have attended previously.

Finally, your program of choice may also ask you to demonstrate your skills in music, either through an audition or a portfolio of work.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an incredibly important component of evaluating the strength of an online music program.

Accrediting agencies evaluate the academic quality and rigor of institutions of higher education and ensure that they are constantly engaged in improving their programs and services to meet the needs of their students.

Not only does accreditation from a regional accrediting body qualify the institution to distribute federal financial aid to its students, it also serves as a barometer for other institutions of higher education or employers when evaluating the validity of your degree.

Look for the accreditation status by a regional accrediting organization on your chosen college or university’s website.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

How you will fund your education is important to consider when planning your educational path. Fortunately, there are many sources of aid for students, including financial aid through your state or the federal government.

Depending on your income and other factors, financial aid may include student loans (which need to be paid back) or grants and scholarships (which do not need to be paid back). Federal grants include PELL or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.

Scholarships are a source of aid that many students overlook. Your college and university may have scholarships available, so it’s a good idea to inquire about their scholarship application.

Scholarships are awarded based on a wide range of criteria, so don’t exclude yourself because of your own perception of your abilities or financial need. You might be surprised and earn yourself a scholarship!

What Can You Do With a Music Degree?

There are myriads of careers you may pursue with a degree in music. From music producer to educator, from artist manager to band director, there are a multitude of options to suit the skills and passions of someone holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that job outlook varies in this field. While a Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician is projected to enjoy a 9% job growth for the next ten years, the job growth for musicians and singers is only projected to be 1% (slower than average).

How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Music Degree?

How long it takes to complete your degree is based on your college or university’s academic calendar, along with how many courses you are prepared to take each semester.

If you follow a traditional, 16-week semester attending full-time, it will likely take you four years to complete. However, if you follow an 8-week semester and take courses continuously year-round, it’s possible to finish in less time.

If you ever consider getting a masters degree in music such as an online masters in music education, then you should plan on being in school for about an extra two years on top of your bachelors degree.

Are There Any Affordable Online Music Degrees?

Although tuition rates vary, you can expect to pay approximately $390-$499 per credit in addition to fees.

As mentioned above, there are many financial aid opportunities available that may make pursuing an online degree in music a possibility for you.

Is a Music Degree Worth It?

Yes, a Music Degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 4% job growth in media and communication occupations over the next 10 years. Common music careers in this field include music producer, artist manager, music teacher, music therapist, and sound designer.

While every job has its challenges, a career in the music industry can have many benefits. Honing your craft and exploring your passions within your career may be a rewarding experience, and jobs are likely to be exciting rather than monotonous.

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