Voice and Opera Major: Graduates, International Students, Colleges and Careers

Overview

Voice and Opera is a specialized field of study within music that focuses on the techniques and artistry of singing, particularly in the context of operatic performance. This discipline encompasses a wide range of vocal training, performance practice, and the study of opera as a theatrical art form.

Students in Voice and Opera programs typically receive rigorous training in vocal techniques, including breath control, diction, and resonance. They learn to interpret various musical styles and genres, with a significant emphasis on opera's unique demands, such as acting, stage presence, and character portrayal. This training often includes private lessons, masterclasses, and participation in ensemble singing.

In addition to vocal training, students study music theory, history of opera, and the repertoire of famous operatic works. They may also explore the cultural and historical contexts of the operas they perform, gaining a deeper understanding of the art form. Performance opportunities are a crucial component of the curriculum, allowing students to showcase their skills in recitals, opera productions, and competitions.

Graduates of Voice and Opera programs often pursue careers as professional singers, opera performers, voice teachers, or conductors. They may perform in opera houses, concert halls, and various musical venues, or they may choose to further their studies in graduate programs to specialize even more in their craft.

Overall, Voice and Opera is an enriching and demanding field that combines technical skill with artistic expression, preparing students for a vibrant career in the world of music and performance.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

314 02

401 03

446 04

455 05

449 06

461 07

496 08

581 09

590 10

632 11

564 12

603 13

673 14

591 15

664 16

680 17

630 18

656 19

670 20

599 21

611 22

685 23

597 24

576 25

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 83% and the international share went from 7.3% to 21.0%.

International share (%)

7 02

9 03

7 04

7 05

6 06

9 07

7 08

7 09

6 10

6 11

6 12

7 13

9 14

8 15

8 16

13 17

17 18

17 19

17 20

18 21

18 22

19 23

21 24

21 25

Graduates by group, 2025

White

46.9%

Asian

4.0%

Hispanic

12.7%

Black

6.3%

Other

9.2%

Intl.

21.0%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 75 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.

Rank	School	State	Graduates	International
#4	Yale University	Connecticut	12	1
#9	Northwestern University	Illinois	24	0
#14	Carnegie Mellon University	Pennsylvania	7	1
#16	Vanderbilt University	Tennessee	6	1
#16	Rice University	Texas	11	0
#27	University of Southern California	California	28	5
#31	New York University	New York	17	2
#34	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	Illinois	2	0
#49	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	Washington	6	0
#55	University of Miami	Florida	14	1
#59	Florida State University	Florida	1	0
#72	Syracuse University	New York	1	0
#85	Southern Methodist University	Texas	9	1
#90	Texas Christian University	Texas	6	0
#100	Chapman University	California	6	1
#109	Temple University	Pennsylvania	5	0
#116	Brigham Young University-Provo	Utah	5	0
#121	Loyola University Chicago	Illinois	2	0
#148	Catholic University of America	D.C.	7	4
#179	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	Ohio	3	0
#191	Samford University	Alabama	3	0
#202	Ohio University-Main Campus	Ohio	1	0
#208	University of Idaho	Idaho	3	0
#208	Belmont University	Tennessee	2	0
#227	The New School	New York	22	14
#227	West Chester University of Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	6	1
#236	Stetson University	Florida	4	0
#236	Portland State University	Oregon	1	0
#250	Lipscomb University	Tennessee	1	0
#262	Central Michigan University	Michigan	2	0
#276	California Baptist University	California	2	0
#276	Western Michigan University	Michigan	3	0
#288	University of Hartford	Connecticut	10	9
#288	Wichita State University	Kansas	4	0
#308	Oakland University	Michigan	1	0
#317	Xavier University of Louisiana	Louisiana	1	0
#365	Liberty University	Virginia	5	0
#382	Palm Beach Atlantic University	Florida	1	0
#382	Roosevelt University	Illinois	9	0
#382	Houston Christian University	Texas	1	0
LAC #38	Trinity University	Texas	1	0
LAC #100	University of Puget Sound	Washington	2	0
LAC #119	Meredith College	North Carolina	1	0
LAC #128	SUNY at Purchase College	New York	4	0
—	Manhattan School of Music	New York	60	23
—	Rider University	New Jersey	38	0
—	Longy School of Music of Bard College	Massachusetts	29	14
—	The New England Conservatory of Music	Massachusetts	27	14
—	San Francisco Conservatory of Music	California	23	4
—	The Juilliard School	New York	20	7
—	Los Angeles College of Music	California	16	11
—	Curtis Institute of Music	Pennsylvania	12	4
—	University of Mobile	Alabama	8	0
—	Long Island University	New York	8	0
—	Baldwin Wallace University	Ohio	8	0
—	Carthage College	Wisconsin	8	0
—	Loyola University New Orleans	Louisiana	7	0
—	University of Redlands	California	6	0
—	Oklahoma City University	Oklahoma	6	0
—	University of Central Oklahoma	Oklahoma	4	2
—	PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE	Florida	3	0
—	Capital University	Ohio	3	0
—	Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music	Puerto Rico	3	0
—	Oakwood University	Alabama	2	1
—	Roberts Wesleyan University	New York	2	0
—	Wagner College	New York	2	0
—	Ouachita Baptist University	Arkansas	1	0
—	Northwest Nazarene University	Idaho	1	0
—	North Park University	Illinois	1	0
—	Madonna University	Michigan	1	0
—	York University	Nebraska	1	0
—	High Point University	North Carolina	1	0
—	University of Mount Olive	North Carolina	1	0
—	Bob Jones University	South Carolina	1	0