Music Composition

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What is Music Composition ?

This major focuses on the concepts of composition and teaching. Students take specialized classes in orchestration, music formalization, and jazz arranging. Coursework also includes experimental, electronic, and computer music. In this major, you'll be able collaborate with fellow music students. You can also use experimental music studios and have your original works performed. Students learn from exceptional faculty pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. Our program also prepares students for graduate study. You must pass an audition to be accepted into this major.

Career Options

Arrangement
Composition
Film music editing
Music engineering & mixing
Music performance
Music recording
Music therapy
Teaching

Post-Graduation Success¹

93% employed or continuing education

31% employed after graduation

62% attending graduate school

$52,800 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: The Naperville Winds (2), Urbana High School (1), Urbana School District 116 (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carnegie Mellon University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.4 years to degree

91% first-year retention rate

45% four-year graduation rate

85% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,912
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,652

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,588
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,668

International

Tuition: $38,630
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,710

Related Majors

Music - FAA

Music Education (K-12) - FAA

Music Jazz Performance - FAA

Musicology - FAA

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.