The Harmonious Path: Navigating a Career with a Music Degree

Unlock your musical potential with a comprehensive music degree program. Explore various areas of music theory, history, performance, and composition to prepare for a successful career in the music industry.

Embarking on a journey through a music degree opens a world of artistic exploration and career versatility, transcending the conventional roles associated with the field. This pursuit is not merely about mastering performance or composition but evolving into a multifaceted professional equipped for a spectrum of opportunities in the evolving landscape of music and sound. Beyond the enriching personal development of discipline, creativity, and collaboration, a music degree unlocks doors to innovative roles in digital music production, audio engineering, and beyond. With the creative industries flourishing, the demand for adept, passionate music professionals is on the rise, making a music degree a valuable asset for those eager to make their mark in the broad and dynamic realm of music.

Why Get a Music Degree?

Pursuing a degree in music is not only a journey into the depth and breadth of musical artistry and scholarship but also a strategic step toward a versatile and fulfilling career. While the path of a music graduate is often perceived as narrowly confined to performance or education, the reality is much broader and replete with opportunities. The demand for music professionals extends beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing roles in digital music production, audio engineering, music therapy, and the expanding field of music technology, among others. Moreover, the skills developed through a music degree—such as discipline, creativity, analytical thinking, and teamwork—are highly valued in various sectors, including entertainment, education, and beyond. In an era where the cultural and economic value of the creative industries continues to grow, the demand for skilled, knowledgeable, and versatile music professionals promises not only to persist but to increase. As such, earning a music degree opens a multitude of doors, making it a worthy investment for those passionate about carving out a career within the wide-ranging field of music.

Fully Funded Music Degree Programs

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, promises a minimum five-year completion track for its PhD in Music program, with guaranteed funding. This support extends into a possible sixth year for students showing significant dissertation progress.

Washington University in St. Louis's PhD in Music program stands out with its six-year funding packages, including additional allowances for language studies, research, and conference attendance, with a stipend of $23,360 for the academic year 2020-2021.

University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, MI, offers nearly all DMA and PhD students full-tuition fellowships, health benefits, and a stipend through Graduate Student Assistantships, varying by appointment fraction and duties.

Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, ensures all admitted Musicology PhD students receive full tuition support and a generous stipend, with graduate assistantship duties averaging ten hours per week.

University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia provides the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship to all PhD students, covering tuition, fees, and health insurance for up to five years, depending on the field of study within music.

New York University Steinhardt offers a competitive funding package including a scholarship and tuition remission for full-time PhD in Music Technology students without an alternate funding source.

University of Chicago guarantees funding support for PhD students in Composition, Music History and Theory, and Ethnomusicology, covering full tuition, an annual stipend, and health insurance premiums.

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, offers PhD music students a full tuition waiver, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance premium coverage for five years.

University of California Berkeley's PhD in Music graduates enjoy fellowships and teaching opportunities with a typical funding package including a $30,000 annual stipend, tuition coverage, health insurance, and student fees for five years.

Boston University's PhD in Musicology students receive a five-year fellowship that may include a Non-Service Fellowship, Teaching Fellowship, or Research Fellowship.

University of Pittsburgh fully funds all PhD in Music graduate students with fellowships or assistantships, providing a full tuition scholarship, health insurance, and a stipend of about $19,180.

Stanford University offers full tuition and a fellowship stipend in the first year for DMA in Composition and PhD in Music students, with tuition and a salaried assistantship in subsequent years, including two summers of research assistant salary and tuition coverage.

Princeton University ensures all Musicology and Composition PhD students receive a tuition scholarship and a 12-month stipend for the entire five-year duration of the program, with possible sixth-year funding nominations.

Harvard University awards five years of guaranteed funding, including living expenses and paid teaching years, to PhD in Music students, facilitating focused dissertation work with a teaching-free year.

Georgia Institute of Technology fully funds its PhD in Music Technology program, offering students a monthly stipend and tuition waiver while they engage in broad-impact research.

Duke University provides all music graduate program students a Fellowship including full tuition and an income stipend for five years, enriching the academic experience with diverse research opportunities.

Cornell University assures five years of financial support for PhD in Musicology students, blending fellowships and teaching assistantships to foster both academic and teaching skills.

City University of New York offers tuition remission to all music program entrants, with Graduate Center Fellowships for most PhD and several DMA students, ensuring a supportive academic environment.

Brown University guarantees full funding for all PhD in Music students for five years, including tuition, health insurance, and stipends for fellowships and teaching assistantships, highlighting the program's commitment to student support.

Brandeis University provides a competitive fellowship, full-tuition scholarship, and health insurance benefits for five years to its PhD candidates in Musicology or Musical Composition and Theory, integrating teaching semesters into the academic journey.

Music Degree Professions

Video Game Designer

Average Salary: $78,340 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Video game designers are creative professionals who conceptualize and develop video games, defining the game type, setting, characters, and programming. They collaborate with a team to create engaging experiences and enhance user interfaces, selecting music that enhances gameplay and the game's visual aesthetics. Music selection is tailored to fit various game scenarios, including battles, dialogues, and transitions.

Executive Producer

Average Salary: $81,049 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Serving primarily in film or television, executive producers oversee the entire production process. Their role includes collaborating with composers and sound experts to select or produce music and sound effects that complement the visual content. They provide creative direction to the music department, ensuring the audio aligns with the project's vision.

Acoustic Consultant

Average Salary: $86,850 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Acoustic consultants specialize in sound management, assisting musicians and sound designers in optimizing sound quality by eliminating unwanted noise and errors. They advise on equipment setup to minimize feedback and work on designing spaces that enhance sound movement. Their expertise also extends to creating sound-based art installations.

Music Attorney

Average Salary: $87,706 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Music attorneys are legal experts focused on the music industry, well-versed in copyright laws, contract management, and industry regulations. They provide legal advice, help resolve disputes among artists, record labels, and managers, and represent clients in negotiations and contract drafting.

Film Developer

Average Salary: $96,176 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Film developers manage the film production lifecycle from conception to release. They are involved in story development, selection of sound effects, and scoring, working closely with the music department and composers to create or choose music that fits the film's themes and scenes.

Audio Engineer

Average Salary: $103,593 annually.

Key Responsibilities: Audio engineers expertly record, manipulate, and refine sound using advanced equipment. They prepare and manage recording setups, enhance sound quality by editing tracks, and utilize effects like auto-tune to achieve the desired audio outcome. Audio engineers collaborate with a wide range of creatives, from musicians to filmmakers, to perfect their soundtracks.

The pursuit of a music degree is a profound journey that goes beyond mastering an art form; it's about embracing a career path teeming with diversity and opportunity. The support for music education, evidenced by the myriad of fully funded programs, reflects a collective belief in the importance of nurturing talent and innovation in the field. As the landscape of music and sound continues to evolve, so too does the demand for skilled, creative professionals who can navigate its complexities and contribute to its growth. Whether through the intricate layers of game design, the emotive scores of cinema, or the precise acoustics of concert halls, music graduates are poised to leave an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of our time, making a music degree not just an academic achievement, but a passport to a vibrant and fulfilling career.