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First, some facts. Of the Music Industry 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 72 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Music Industry graduates have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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 22% 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 Industry graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 52% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Music Industry. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRetail Sales Technology Associate Staples Jun 2020 - Jun 2021 In Store Shopper Whole Foods Market Jun 2021 - Jun 2022 Java Software Engineer  New York State Jun 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeThe College of Saint Rose 2020 - 2022 ABOUTYoung software engineer with a passion for collaborating with others on creative projects. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After reviewing the diverse range of careers held by individuals with degrees in Music Industry, a few patterns emerge regarding the types of jobs they pursue and the relevance of these roles to their academic background. While some graduates have successfully transitioned into positions that closely relate to music and audio production, many have found themselves in roles that do not directly capitalize on their music industry education. This analysis reveals a mixed bag of outcomes, showcasing both the potential for fulfilling careers within the industry and the common reality of pursuing jobs in unrelated fields.
One of the most notable trends in the job market for these graduates is the prominence of positions that involve technical audio skills—roles such as Audio Engineer, Sound Technician, and Recording Engineer appear frequently among successful alumni. These jobs harness the core competencies developed during their studies, making them highly relevant. Positions in music education, like teaching music or leading workshops, also reflect a direct application of their degree, allowing graduates to share their passion and knowledge of music with others. However, while these roles are prevalent, they do not account for the entire spectrum of employment among Music Industry graduates.
On the flip side, there are numerous instances where graduates have ventured into fields that seem to diverge significantly from their music industry education. Jobs in customer service, administrative roles, and unrelated sectors such as retail or management commonly filled many of the profiles analyzed. For instance, positions like Barista, Administrative Assistant, or even Account Manager in non-music contexts demonstrate a widespread tendency among graduates to take any job that may come their way, especially within the early stages of their careers. Such roles often rely on general skills such as communication and organization, which, while valuable, do not specifically utilize the specialized knowledge that a Music Industry degree typically imparts.
This disparity raises important questions about the effectiveness of music industry programs in preparing students for a coherent career path. Some graduates landing in unrelated jobs may indicate that while their academic experiences built valuable transferrable skills, they perhaps lacked a strong connection to actionable industry insights during their studies that could have better guided them into relevant roles. Overall, the outcomes for Music Industry graduates highlight a blend of professional success in music-related fields alongside a significant number of individuals navigating through less directly related career paths. While many thrive in positions directly connected to their degree, a substantial number find themselves working in unrelated jobs that utilize only a fraction of the skills developed during their education.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Industry graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Music Industry, it seems like there's a mix of positive developments and some less-than-ideal paths. Right out of college, many graduates land their first jobs in entry-level positions, often linked to the music scene—roles like technicians, event management, or even teaching music seem to emerge as the most common first gigs. This indicates that a good number of these individuals are managing to find their footing within the industry, which is promising.
However, going a bit further out, like five to ten years post-graduation, things get a bit murkier. Several people appear to shift away from the core music industry jobs and veer into unrelated fields like customer service, administrative positions, or even sales. It's not all bad news, though; a good number have also thrived in music-related roles, especially in technical fields like audio engineering or production roles, and even management. For instance, there are graduates who have established themselves as producers, event managers, or music instructors. But those who have remained in the industry often have taken considerably more time building their network and skillset. So while the early career moves are encouraging, a significant portion of graduates may find themselves drifting away from the actual music industry after a few years, which paints a pretty mixed picture overall.
A Bachelor degree in Music Industry can really vary in difficulty depending on your background and interest in the subjects. If you're super passionate about music and already have some skills, you might find it more enjoyable than tough. However, it can definitely be a mix of both technical stuff like production and marketing, plus some creative assignments that require a lot of dedication and effort. It’s not necessarily harder than average, but it does demand a good amount of time and commitment, especially if you want to make the most of it. So, if you love music and are willing to put in the work, it can be pretty rewarding, but don’t underestimate the workload!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Industry.
Looking at these graduates from music-related programs, it's pretty clear that their earning potential varies quite a bit. Some, like those working in royalties and event management, might be pulling in decent salaries or have pathways leading to better-paying roles in the industry. On the other hand, roles like food prep supervisor or general retail positions show that some graduates might not be making what you'd expect from a college education, especially in music-related fields where the competition is high and jobs can be inconsistent.
Overall, it seems like those who leveraged their degrees into specialized jobs—like audio engineering, music instruction, or event management—are likely doing better financially compared to those stuck in entry-level positions or unrelated roles. So, while some are probably making a decent living doing what they love, others may be struggling to find their footing in a challenging industry. It's a mixed bag for sure!
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 Industry. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Music Industry (ordered by the average relevance score of their Music Industry graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Drexel University
|
59 | 10 |