The sound of success: Top music business degrees in the US

If you dream of scouting the next Taylor Swift or The Beatles, bringing to the masses the magic of a great concert, or helping to produce the next Platinum album, a degree in music business can set you up for all of this and more. Whether you’re in India or England, it’s a journey that’s bound to prepare you for the wealth of opportunities from a global music industry projected to reach US$19.24 billion by 2027. 

With a music business degree, you’ll be mastering two disciplines — music and business — and reaping double the benefits and twice as many career pathways. The options are vast and varied, from becoming a music producer who brings artistic visions to life to working as a talent manager who shapes the careers of artists. You might also find yourself in the financial sector of the industry, managing budgets and investments for music projects. 

Ready to carve out a career in what’s arguably the most exciting creative sector today? Start with getting a degree in music business from one of the top US universities below:

Source: University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado’s  (UNC) College of Performing and Visual Arts is where you can transform your passion and aptitude into the professional skills that create the foundation for a meaningful career in the arts and beyond. The Bachelor of Arts in Music (Music Business and Recording Arts concentration) prepares you for your future career in the fast-paced, high-competition world of music business by first building a strong foundation on music theory, music business, recording arts, industry and recording, and more. Ensembles, electives and liberal arts credits follow, rounding your knowledge and skills in many ways that mirror your professional future. Great internship opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities, including the Music Technology Center and Recording Studio, further enhance the programme, offering students valuable hands-on experience before graduation.

You’ll have access to five studios, including the Pro Tools HDX-based recording studio. It is equipped with a vast collection of microphones, over 40 channels of outboard microphone preamps, a myriad of outboard compressors and EQs, and a hybrid Avid C-24 control surface. This studio can also be used for professional recordings, with discounted hourly rates.

The other four project studios serve as pre/post-production facilities equipped with Apple Mac Pros and other hardware. They are all backed by the latest music software and sample libraries, along with a great collection of plug-ins that allow you to record, edit, and mix a wide variety of projects throughout your various courses.

What’s more, UNC is the only institution in Colorado certified to teach Avid’s Pro Tools courses, where you can get certified for Pro Tools 100 and 200 levels. Pair this with UNC’s affiliation with the premiere audio instructional platform, Mix with the Masters, you’ll have even more resources to work with and connect with the most prominent professionals in the business. Apply to the University of Northern Colorado today — no audition necessary, unless you’re applying for scholarships.

Source: University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

The School of Music at the University of South Carolina is a solid choice for those who wish to explore multiple areas within the music industry. The school is highly regarded amongst its kind in the US, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and is home to more than 500 music majors. 

Undergraduate students have access to many specialised programmes, among which is the new  Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies. Unlike most music programmes, no audition is necessary to apply. You will, however, need to submit a portfolio and attend an interview. It’s a worthwhile effort — the programme prepares students with the skills and dispositions needed for the US$12.8 billion industry.

How? A big part of it is down to how the school works with the nationally renowned Darla Moore School of Business and the Sport and Entertainment Management programme to create specialised courses centred around different aspects of the music industry. This coverage of several disciplines is paired with lots of experiences. You can take classes in business, marketing, musical theory, recording, history and more while fostering connections with industry professionals. 

All of this makes it easier for you to seize opportunities to create local and international impact during your time here. The school hosts several creative activities and offers more than 300 concerts and recitals a year, contributing to music publications, organisations, and even regional, national, and international conferences. When they are not present on stage, faculty and students engage in community outreach activities by hosting and teaching music workshops, classes, camps, and private lessons.

Source: American University

American University

Spring Valley, just a drive from Washington DC’s National Cathedral and White House, is home to American University’s Kogod School of Business. This is where you’ll find an award-winning BS in Business and Entertainment (BAE) programme. In 2023, Billboard added the programme to its 2023 Top Music Business Schools List, which recognises the best entertainment programmes across the globe.

“The BAE Programme is one of the fastest-growing degree programmes at Kogod, and in just 10 years it has blossomed into one of the most elite programs of its kind anywhere in the world,” said Kogod School of Business Dean David Marchick. “This incredible achievement is made possible by the dedication and expertise of Professor John Simson, other faculty colleagues and the immeasurably talented group of former practitioners and educators that he has brought into this impactful program.”

Launched in 2013 by entertainment industry veteran Simson, BAE is a programme that incorporates different segments of business and applies them to the entertainment industry. From accounting and marketing to IT and business strategy, the curriculum provides a 360-degree understanding of entertainment law, marketing, content management, business law, music publishing, copywriting and more. You’ll cover all aspects of the entertainment industry: films, music, sports, and TV, especially what it takes to forge a career at the highest levels of the entertainment industry around the worldAlongside this world-class curriculum, you’ll be able to experience a world-class city, explore different states in the US other than Washington DC, go on study abroad programmes, and even take on the combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. Whichever you choose, you’re set to join the many graduates who have successfully secured jobs with the industry’s top employers such as Amazon, SONY, WMG, WB/Discovery, Paramount+, UMG/Bravado, Concord Music Group, Lee Daniels Productions, and WME.