Music
Quick Facts: Music Training
Where it's offered
Music programs are offered at 10 schools across 7 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $23,615/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Music — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 10 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 30/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Music Graduates Do
A music degree opens doors to the classroom, the studio, and the stage. You could find yourself leading a high school band through a complex piece, spending your days running rehearsals, teaching theory, and organizing concerts. Alternatively, you might enter the world of production and performance. As a sound engineering tech, you’ll be hands-on with mixers and microphones at live events. As a performing musician, your work is a mix of disciplined practice, collaborating in the studio, and connecting with audiences during gigs.
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Your career will likely begin with foundational roles like student teaching, interning at a studio, or playing smaller local shows. With experience, you can advance to a lead teacher, become an in-demand session musician, or run the sound for major tours. While starting pay is often modest, experienced specialists and postsecondary educators can earn a strong, stable income.
The demand for skilled music professionals is steady, especially for educators and versatile performers. While AI tools can assist with composing and arranging, they cannot replicate the hands-on skill of an expert technician or the human energy of a live performance.
You may also want to compare Music with Dance, Film & Photography, and Visual & Performing Arts on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Music. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Musician
RAPIDS 2080CB |
Competency | Competency | — | 1.1% |
|
Recording Engineer
RAPIDS 926 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $66,430 – $100K | -1.7% |
|
Sound Mixer
RAPIDS 527 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $66,430 – $100K | -1.7% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Music Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Music is offered at 10 schools across 7 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Music Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Music programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valencia College Orlando, FL |
46 41–48 |
| 2 | International College of Broadcasting Dayton, OH |
44 40–47 |
| 3 | Atlanta Institute of Music and Media Duluth, GA |
41 36–44 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood, CA |
39 34–42 |
| 5 | American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZ |
37 32–39 |
| 6 | Atlanta Institute of Music and Media Duluth, GA |
37 32–40 |
| 7 | Visible Music College Memphis, TN |
36 31–38 |
| 8 | American InterContinental University-Atlanta Atlanta, GA |
36 32–38 |
| 9 | American InterContinental University-Houston Houston, TX |
36 31–38 |
| 10 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL |
33 28–35 |
Highest Earning Music Programs
Schools where Music graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| International College of Broadcasting | $35,491/yr | 44 |
| Visible Music College | $24,993/yr | 36 |
| Atlanta Institute of Music and Media | $24,109/yr | 41 |
| Full Sail University | $23,018/yr | 33 |
| Valencia College | $22,985/yr | 46 |
| American InterContinental University System | $22,690/yr | 37 |
| American InterContinental University-Atlanta | $22,690/yr | 36 |
| American InterContinental University-Houston | $22,690/yr | 36 |
| Los Angeles Film School | $21,399/yr | 39 |
| Atlanta Institute of Music and Media | $16,086/yr | 37 |
Best ROI for Music
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Music.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College | 51.3x | $22,985/yr | 46 |
| American InterContinental University System | 17.4x | $22,690/yr | 37 |
| American InterContinental University-Atlanta | 15.9x | $22,690/yr | 36 |
| American InterContinental University-Houston | 14.3x | $22,690/yr | 36 |
| International College of Broadcasting | 11.7x | $35,491/yr | 44 |
| Visible Music College | 10.4x | $24,993/yr | 36 |
| Full Sail University | 3.4x | $23,018/yr | 33 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Music degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.