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CIP 50.0916 Visual and Performing Arts

Percussion Instruments

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

36

2025 · 12 schools

International share

19.4%

7 international students

Bachelor's degrees

17

23.5% international

Master's degrees

17

17.6% international

Overview

Percussion Instruments is a specialized field within music education and performance that focuses on the study and mastery of percussion instruments. This discipline encompasses a wide range of instruments, including drums, tambourines, marimbas, xylophones, cymbals, and many others. Students in this program learn not only how to play these instruments but also the techniques, rhythms, and styles associated with different musical genres, from classical and jazz to contemporary and world music.

In a typical curriculum, students will engage in both individual and ensemble playing, which helps develop their timing, coordination, and musicality. They will also explore music theory, composition, and history, gaining an understanding of how percussion fits into various musical contexts. Performance opportunities are integral to this program, allowing students to showcase their skills in recitals, concerts, and competitions.

Additionally, many programs offer courses in pedagogy, preparing students to teach percussion to others, whether in schools or private lessons. The versatility of percussion instruments means that graduates can pursue diverse career paths, including performance, education, music therapy, and composition.

Overall, a degree in Percussion Instruments equips students with a comprehensive skill set, fostering creativity, discipline, and an appreciation for the rhythmic foundation of music, making it an exciting and dynamic field of study.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 227% and the international share went from 0.0% to 19.4%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
44.4%
Asian
13.9%
Hispanic
11.1%
Black
5.6%
Other
5.6%
Intl.
19.4%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 12 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
#16 Vanderbilt University Tennessee 2 0
#16 Rice University Texas 4 0
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 2 0
#100 Chapman University California 1 0
#288 University of Hartford Connecticut 2 1
#382 Roosevelt University Illinois 2 1
— The New England Conservatory of Music Massachusetts 8 1
— Manhattan School of Music New York 4 2
— San Francisco Conservatory of Music California 3 1
— The Juilliard School New York 3 1
— Los Angeles College of Music California 3 0
— Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music Puerto Rico 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
Musicians and Singers 36,180 $60.46 —

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

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.