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CIP 50.0902 Visual and Performing Arts

Music History, Literature, and Theory

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

144

2025 · 28 schools

International share

7.6%

11 international students

Bachelor's degrees

109

5.5% international

Master's degrees

22

18.2% international

Overview

Music History, Literature, and Theory is an interdisciplinary field that explores the development, context, and implications of music across different cultures and time periods. This major combines elements of musicology, music theory, and music literature, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of how music interacts with society, culture, and artistic expression.

Students in this program typically study a wide range of topics, including the evolution of musical styles, the influence of historical events on music, and the analysis of musical compositions through theoretical frameworks. Courses might cover various genres, from classical to contemporary music, and delve into the works of significant composers and musicians.

Moreover, this major emphasizes critical listening and analytical skills. Students learn to interpret music not just as an art form but also as a reflection of social, political, and cultural dynamics. Research methods are a crucial component, enabling students to engage with primary sources, historical texts, and recordings to develop their insights.

Graduates of Music History, Literature, and Theory can pursue diverse career paths, including positions in academia, archival research, music criticism, and arts administration. Additionally, they may work in education, helping to cultivate a deeper appreciation for music among students and the broader community. Overall, this field fosters a rich understanding of music's role in human experience, making it an essential area of study for those passionate about the arts.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 21% and the international share went from 7.7% to 7.6%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
71.5%
Asian
3.5%
Hispanic
8.3%
Black
3.5%
Other
5.6%
Intl.
7.6%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 28 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#9 Johns Hopkins University Maryland 1 1
#25 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan 8 1
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 3 0
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 3 1
#85 University of Delaware Delaware 1 0
#85 University at Buffalo New York 1 0
#90 Baylor University Texas 1 1
#148 Catholic University of America D.C. 1 0
#148 University of Kentucky Kentucky 12 1
#179 CUNY Hunter College New York 7 1
#202 Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio 2 0
#227 The New School New York 13 2
#227 West Virginia University West Virginia 22 0
#250 University of Missouri--Kansas City Missouri 1 0
#276 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Ohio 1 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 7 0
LAC #41 Skidmore College New York 10 0
LAC #72 Bard College New York 3 1
LAC #91 Ursinus College Pennsylvania 1 0
LAC #91 Southwestern University Texas 1 0
LAC #116 Saint Michael's College Vermont 1 0
LAC #165 Bridgewater College Virginia 9 0
— Rider University New Jersey 7 0
— Bob Jones University South Carolina 5 1
— Adams State University Colorado 2 0
— SUNY College at Potsdam New York 2 0
— Ohio Christian University Ohio 2 0
— Cairn University-Langhorne Pennsylvania 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.