Best Online Bachelor’s in Music Programs of 2023
Music is such a big part of our lives that a degree in music can open many doors in a wide variety of fields and occupations. Many aspiring artists also teach or give private lessons to supplement their earnings while they find opportunities to grow in their profession. Find out what a bachelor's in music can do for you.
Why This Matters
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73% OF SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Teaching music in elementary school is just one of many options for a bachelor’s degree in music, and 73% of teachers have a bachelor’s degree. Proficiency in other music-related occupations, such as performance and composing, can also lead to teaching opportunities.
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56,100 MORE TEACHERS WILL BE NEEDED BY 2029
As the need for teachers increases, so will the need for music teachers. There is expected to be 56,100 new teaching jobs by 2029.
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EARN $60,940 WITH A BACHELOR’S IN MUSIC
The average teacher’s salary is $60,940, which includes music teachers. Performance artists, songwriters, producers, and composers have even greater earning potential.
Our Research
This list is comprised of bachelor’s programs in general music studies, music production, and music education that are primarily offered online. Most degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs, but a few are Bachelor of Science (BS) programs. The main differences will be in the general classes that are required outside of your major.
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredits music and music-related disciplines that meet their national standards. Some colleges on our list are accredited by regional or other national general education accreditation entities. Accreditation ensures that your degree will be recognized by others as representing a high-quality education.
- 54 hours to write this article
- 56 universities and colleges we assessed
- 70 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Bachelor’s in Music Programs
What You Should Know About This Degree
Because music has such a wide range of applications, music degrees vary greatly. Music degree programs include music education, music history, music theory and composition, music technology, conducting, vocal performance, and study of an individual instrument.
The job outlook for a music degree ranges widely and includes elementary and high school music teachers, college-level music teachers, conductors, sound engineers, music producers, composers, and performance artists. Because a music degree is so versatile, a degree in any area can be used in more than one occupation.
Additional certification and licensing depends on your field. For example, a degree in high school music education may also require a teaching license or certificate.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online bachelor’s in music programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most of the online music degree programs in our list are 120 credits, but some require as many as 132 credits. While a bachelor’s degree program typically takes four years to complete, the amount of time it takes for you will depend on how many credit hours you sign up for per academic year.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Online programs generally have two options for course delivery. Synchronous courses have a set schedule and students attend the class virtually with all students meeting with the instructor at the same time. With asynchronous courses, course material is in a syllabus form and students work through lessons and assignments at their own pace.
As you do your research, be sure to pay attention to application deadlines for both course registration and financial aid.