Music
College of Fine & Applied Arts
CompareWhat 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
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
Review Criteria
First-Year Major-Specific Criteria
- Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)
Transfer Criteria
Transfer HandbookGraduation & 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
