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First, some facts. Of the Music Business graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 207 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Music Business graduates have a much lower likelihood (-15%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 17% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Music Business graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor's degree in Music Business. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBerklee Stage Crew Berklee College of Music Sep 2022 - Present ABOUTYanagi is a rap artist, songwriter, performer, and model. He was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, and is now based in Atlanta, Georgia after graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston with a Bachelor's in Music Business/Management in December of 2022.Yanagi is a representative and a spokesperson for the modern day young adult. He uses his music as a canvas of his testimony and experience as a human. He hopes that his music will speak to people like him, and help them to feel seen and understood. He explores topics like love, spirituality, and betterment of self, while also demonstrating vivid storytelling abilities and proficient rapping. His influences include 2pac, Kanye West, Eminem, and Lil Wayne. He hopes to be a voice of hope for many. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The job market for graduates with a degree in Music Business showcases a wide variety of career paths, highlighting both relevant and irrelevant experiences. Upon analyzing numerous LinkedIn profiles, it becomes clear that many individuals venture into positions strongly associated with the music industry, while others find themselves in roles that bear little connection to their academic background. Within this pool of graduates, the most common types of jobs seem to gravitate towards areas such as music promotion, management, and production, with notable relevance to the Music Business curriculum. However, many also pursue paths that diverge significantly from their specialized training, leading to a mixed bag of applicability in the job market.
Positions such as music promotion coordinators, A&R reps, and artist managers clearly exhibit a direct application of the skills learned during their studies, emphasizing marketing, event management, and negotiation within the music industry. On the other hand, many graduates end up in roles like real estate agents, food service positions, or general administrative jobs that do not leverage their education in the same way. These experiences can reflect the necessity to adapt and fill available job openings, yet they may not align with a graduate’s aspirations or the reasons they pursued a Music Business degree in the first place. It indicates a fundamental disconnect between the education received and the roles some individuals find themselves in afterward.
Overall, while it is encouraging to see some graduates thriving in directly relevant roles, the concerning trend of many graduates landing in unrelated fields raises questions about the effectiveness of their degree in securing jobs tied to music business principles. This discrepancy showcases a valuable lesson for students entering the program: understanding that not every degree guarantees a direct line to a relevant career, and the importance of seeking opportunities that truly align with their aspirations in the music industry.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Business graduates:
When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from Music Business programs, there's a mixed bag of outcomes. For some, especially those from schools like Belmont University or Full Sail University, the paths seem more promising. Many of these graduates quickly land roles in music-related fields, particularly in positions like intern, coordinator, or assistant at established record labels, music agencies, and production companies.
Let's break it down: graduates fresh out of school often begin their careers in entry-level positions, as we've seen with promotion coordinators, assistants, and interns at various music companies. For instance, the Belmont alumni who graduated recently have landed roles that initially seem to align closely with their studies, such as the one who became a VIP assistant at Live Nation and another who is interning at major labels. This indicates that the first jobs tend to be relevant to the music industry, which is a positive sign for their education's applicability.
Fast forward five to ten years, and the picture changes somewhat. While some do indeed climb the ranks into more significant roles—up to senior management or director positions—others drift away from traditional music business roles. For example, several graduates end up in less related fields or take on roles that don't clearly connect back to their degree, such as positions in administrative support, sales, or even non-music-related industries entirely.
A few other trends pop up. Some graduates do find success as independent musicians or in roles that encompass music production, sound design, or event management, which is great because it shows versatility. However, there’s also a significant number who seem to bounce between various industries or take a lot longer than expected to break into solid music-related roles. It's pretty common to see folks who spent years working in service industry jobs or entirely unrelated fields before finding a music job. That’s a tough pill to swallow after dedicating time and money to a music business education.
In conclusion, while the initial post-college landscape for music business graduates seems to present numerous opportunities in music-related fields, a significant portion of them struggle to find their footing within the industry over the long term. The success stories are encouraging, but they also highlight the importance of networking and gaining experience during school to make music business graduates more marketable in a competitive industry. Understanding that not every degree guarantees a job directly related to it is vital for current and prospective students. So, if you're considering this path, be prepared to hustle!
A Bachelor degree in Music Business can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s not going to be as hardcore as, say, an engineering degree, but it’s definitely not a walk in the park either. You’ll dive into a blend of music theory, marketing, finance, and law, which can feel overwhelming if numbers and legal stuff aren’t your thing. Plus, you might have projects that require creativity and practical knowledge about the industry. So, if you're passionate about music and ready to hustle, you’ll probably find it a manageable challenge, but don’t underestimate the workload—it definitely keeps you on your toes!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Business.
Looking at the job histories of these music business graduates, it's clear that their earnings vary quite a bit depending on their paths. Some, like those who graduated from Belmont University and quickly moved into relatively high-ranking positions at places like Sony Music and RCA Records, seem to be doing pretty well financially. Others, like the graduate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor who's working as an elementary school teacher, probably aren't pulling in as much cash, since teaching salaries can be on the lower end. Then you have some folks who have taken a longer road, freelancing and hopping from job to job, which can suggest fluctuating incomes and possibly less financial stability.
Overall, it seems some of these graduates have landed solid positions and might be earning decent salaries, especially those in marketing and management roles at major music companies. However, others who have taken less traditional routes—with responsibilities such as bartending, tutoring, or freelance work—might not be making nearly as much. It really showcases the mixed bag of outcomes that can come with a degree in music business, influenced heavily by individual choices, timing, and market opportunities.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Music Business. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Music Business (ordered by the average relevance score of their Music Business graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 New York University
|
77 | 10 |
 Belmont University
|
59 | 47 |
 Full Sail University
|
40 | 46 |