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If You’ve Got Musical Abilities, These College Majors Might Be Your Perfect Match
Choosing a college major can be tricky, especially for those with strong musical abilities who want to turn their passion into a career. Music doesn’t just lead to performance – it can open doors in therapy, education, production, law and business. From composing soundtracks to managing artists or using music to heal, the right degree can shape a fulfilling and financially rewarding path.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best majors for students with musical abilities, explore what each degree involves, and highlight the top HBCUs where these programs thrive, so you can accomplish your educational goals with total confidence.
Are musical abilities and intelligence rare?
According to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, musical intelligence is the ability to recognize, interpret and create musical patterns, with a heightened sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, tone, timbre and melody. People with strong musical intelligence may notice even slight changes in pitch or tone, quickly learn and recall songs or lyrics and often use music to support memory, focus or emotional well-being.
A data-driven source suggests that about 20-30% of people have a high natural predisposition for musical intelligence. Perfect pitch is extremely rare, though it’s more common among native speakers of tonal languages and individuals with Williams syndrome or autism spectrum disorders. Only around one in 10,000 people are born with perfect pitch and roughly one in four people can develop relative pitch with the proper training.
While strong musical intelligence isn’t extremely rare, it’s not the most common either – roughly one-fifth to one-third of people display high aptitude.
What music degree pays the most?
When it comes to which music degree (or related specialization) pays the most, it largely depends on your career path. Degrees that open doors to high-paying roles in the business, production, law or media side of music tend to offer far more earning potential than traditional performance degrees.
With a law degree and a focus on music or copyright law, a music attorney can expect starting salaries around $50,000, with experienced lawyers earning well over $250,000 annually. On the business side, pursuing a degree in music business or management can lead to a career as a booking agent. While earnings fluctuate, top agents often generate $250,000 to more than $1 million annually through commission-based revenue.
The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media notes that orchestral musicians with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in performance can earn salaries of up to $150,000 at the top level. However, the field is highly competitive, and breaking into a major symphony can be especially challenging for younger musicians.
What is the highest degree you can get in music?
A Doctor of Musical Arts, or a DMA, is regarded as a terminal degree in music. To earn a DMA, students typically begin with a bachelor’s degree in music, followed by a master’s degree aligned with their focus, such as performance, composition or conducting. Admission to DMA programs usually requires transcripts, performance recordings or portfolios, letters of recommendation and auditions for performance tracks.
The program combines advanced coursework in music theory, history, pedagogy and applied lessons with comprehensive exams, culminating in a dissertation or final project, such as a major recital, composition or lecture recital. DMA programs generally take three to five years beyond the master’s degree and prepare graduates for careers as university professors, professional performers, conductors, composers or music researchers.
Is music production a major?
Yes, music production is a recognized major at many colleges, universities, and specialized music schools. Students in this major typically study recording, mixing and mastering, sound design, music technology, electronic music and audio engineering, combining both technical skills and creative artistry. Programs may be offered as a Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music production or music technology.
The top HBCU for music production is Howard University in Washington, D.C. Its Audio Production program, housed within the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film, offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers voice and environmental recording, digital editing, mixing, mastering and the effects of sound and music on productions.
Howard University has a strong legacy of producing influential music industry professionals, particularly in music production. Notable alumni include Ron Amen-Ra Lawrence, a key producer behind hits for The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z and Young Guru (Gimel Keaton), the renowned audio engineer and official sound engineer for Jay-Z’s live performances.
The best majors for people with musical abilities
Getting a degree that highlights your musical talent doesn’t just refine your craft – it signals something deeper than ear and artistry. Music majors often emerge more than just performers; they’re strategic thinkers, compelling collaborators and adaptable problem-solvers. In fact, musical training enhances cognitive functions like memory, language and pattern recognition – skills that benefit any field.
On top of that, pursuing a music degree nurtures creativity, time management, and collaboration – virtues recognized by employers across all industries. In the next section, we’ll explore specific college majors that let your musical ability thrive and supercharge your career flexibility and growth.
Music Education
Salary: Average starting salary of $48,000; higher in specialized areas like choral or instrumental conducting.
Career Options: Public/private school music teacher, music director, private tutor, arts administrator.
Degree Difficulty: Moderate; combines music proficiency with pedagogy and classroom management.
Top HBCUs: Southern University & A&M College (SU), known for its comprehensive music program.
Music Production/Audio Engineering
Salary: Average of $68,440 annually.
Career Options: Music producer, recording engineer, sound designer, live sound technician.
Degree Difficulty: Challenging; requires technical skills in audio technology and creativity.
Top HBCUs: Howard University, recognized for its audio production program.
Music Therapy
Salary: Average salary of $50,000.
Career Options: Music therapist in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers and private practice.
Degree Difficulty: High; involves psychology, therapy techniques and music proficiency.
Top HBCUs: Howard University offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy program, providing training for the Music Therapy Board Certification Examination.
Music Business/Arts Management
Salary: Varies widely; entry-level positions around $45,000, with potential for higher earnings in management roles.
Career Options: Artist manager, music publicist, event coordinator, label executive.
Degree Difficulty: Moderate; combines music knowledge with business acumen.
Top HBCUs: Howard University and Tennessee State University are recognized for their music business programs.
Music Performance
Salary: Highly variable; can range from $30,000 to over $100,000, depending on success and opportunities.
Career Options: Professional musician, orchestra member, solo performer, session musician.
Degree Difficulty: Very high; requires exceptional skill and dedication.
Top HBCUs: Tuskegee University and Florida A&M University offer strong performance programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do most singers have?
While many singers rely on talent, practice and experience, those pursuing formal education (especially in classical or opera) typically earn a Bachelor’s degree in music performance or music theory.
What percentage of artists have a degree?
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, approximately 65% of primary and secondary artists hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to just 32% of all U.S. workers. Another study reveals that 40% of working artists do not have a bachelor’s degree, and only 16% of working artists have an arts-related bachelor’s degree
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