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Music

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What is Music?

This major is intended for students interested in the broad historical, cultural, and theoretical aspects of music, rather than professional training. There are four areas of study in our Bachelor of Arts program:

  • Composition
  • Music Technology
  • Musicology
  • Music+

Each area of study has a different focus. Composition focuses on the creation of pieces and techniques behind music. Music Technology looks into the history and application of making music with technology. Musicology offers a cultural education that focuses on an end goal of research or teaching music history. If you have interests beyond these fields, you can create your own curriculum with Music+. Some examples include:

  • Music+ Business
  • Music+ Media
  • Music+ Recording Arts
  • Music+ Administrative Arts

Career Options

  • Arranging
  • Composition
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Equipment technology
  • Music editing
  • Music engineering & mixing
  • Music history
  • Music performance
  • Music promotion
  • Music publishing
  • Music recording
  • Music reporting
  • Music therapy
  • Research

Post-Graduation Success1

87% employed or continuing education

56% employed after graduation

31% attending graduate school

$50,503 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Arc Worldwide, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Solstice View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements Transfer Guide

Academic Profile Middle 50% 2

26 - 31 ACT score

1210 - 1420 SAT score

2.98 - 3.64 high school GPA

Graduation & Retention3

4.5 years to degree

94% freshman retention rate

45% four-year graduation rate

73% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $13,640
  • Fees: $4,174
  • Expenses4: $15,180
  • Total: $32,994

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $30,782
  • Fees: $4,174
  • Expenses4: $15,520
  • Total: $50,476

International

  • Tuition: $31,656
  • Fees: $4,174
  • Expenses4: $15,520
  • Total: $51,350

Related Majors

1 Post-Graduation data come from the college that houses this particular major. 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 academic years, including the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 graduating classes. 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.

2 Data is from the middle 50% of students from the past two years, meaning that 25% of students were below this range and 25% were above. This data is based off of freshman applicants only.

3 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.

4 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. Learn more about costs.

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