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First, some facts. Of the Music Theory and Composition 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 95 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Music Theory and Composition graduates have a much lower likelihood (-11%) 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, 41% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Music Theory and Composition graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 66% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Music Theory and Composition. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFood Server Kaya Korean BBQ Jun 2023 - Sep 2023 Studio Intern  Flux Studios NYC Feb 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Music (expected, 2025)New York University 2023 - 2025 ABOUTHello! My name is [NAME REMOVED] Cunningham and I am currently attending pursuing my M.M. in Music Technology at NYU. I am a music producer, recording and mixing engineer, and recording artist passionate about a career in music. I love connecting and collaborating with musicians and have experience producing and mixing for hire. My work ethic, communication skills, and attention to detail allow me seamlessly integrate my musical proficiency with an artist's creative vision. Through my work as an intern at the esteemed Flux Studio, I have learned how to transition my skills to a professional caliber. I am interested in music business, licensing, and A&R opportunities. Always one to seek new music, I enjoy discovering novel promotional strategies to navigate being an artist in the social media age. I have applied these strategies to my own music, as well as advising artists that I work with.In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, exploring record stores for new music, and hanging out with friends. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the job paths of individuals with degrees in Music Theory and Composition, we see a pretty eclectic mix. Many have ventured into positions that are heavily tied to music—like teaching, composing, and working in music production—while others have ended up in roles that seem completely unrelated. The most common jobs that appear to be relevant to their education include positions as music teachers, composers, and roles in music production or organization, where they apply their theoretical knowledge directly. On the other hand, many graduates also found work as bartenders, servers, customer service representatives, and roles in various administrative capacities, completely detached from their music studies.
While it’s inspiring to see some graduates making use of their musical training, the overall trend indicates that a significant number are either underutilizing their skills or transitioning to fields that don't require their expertise in music theory or composition. For example, roles like Digital Content Producer or Software Engineer are interesting but don’t even remotely tap into the knowledge they gained in school. It's a stark reminder that a music degree doesn’t always lead straight to a music-focused career, which can be a bit disheartening if you're really passionate about music. In summary, while there are certainly paths that align well with a Music Theory and Composition degree, many graduates find themselves in roles where their academic background isn't instrumental to their day-to-day duties, raising questions about the job market for music graduates and the importance of finding relevant opportunities that truly resonate with their education and interests.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Theory and Composition graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Music Theory and Composition reveals a range of outcomes that highlight both success within the field as well as significant divergence into unrelated professions. Many graduates start off with jobs that are indeed relevant to their music backgrounds. For example, positions such as teaching music, working as a film composer, or managing music events often appear as first jobs after graduation. This demonstrates that many recent graduates are initially able to find roles that utilize their education and skills, which can be encouraging for current students in the field.
However, as we look further down the career paths, particularly after five to ten years, the picture begins to shift. A noticeable number of these graduates transition into jobs that may be unrelated to music entirely. For instance, we observe many former music students taking roles in fields like data analysis, customer service, or even logistics—positions that do not directly utilize their music training. This suggests that while the initial steps may align well with their studies, the longer-term occupational patterns demonstrate a struggle to maintain a career specifically in music. It raises the question of job market saturation within the music industry and the challenges faced in securing stable, relevant positions that build on their degrees.
In conclusion, while it’s great to see that graduates of Music Theory and Composition are starting out in relevant jobs, the trend of shifting to unrelated work highlights the complexities and challenges of sustaining a music-focused career over time. For aspiring musicians and composers, it may be essential to also develop versatile skill sets and be open to a variety of career paths that leverage their unique training, keeping both their passion for music and practical job markets in mind.
A Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition can definitely be challenging, but it really depends on your background and passion for music. If you already have a solid grasp of music fundamentals, it might feel more manageable, but be prepared for some intense coursework that digs deep into harmony, counterpoint, and advanced composition techniques. You’ll also spend a lot of time analyzing music, which can be pretty dense and academic. If you're truly passionate about creating music and are ready to put in the hours, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but don’t underestimate the commitment and skill-building it demands. Overall, it tends to be a bit harder than average purely because of the level of detail and creativity required!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Theory and Composition.
Looking at these graduates and their career paths, it seems like they are finding a mix of success and struggle when it comes to making money. The graduate from Lancaster Bible College appears to have a variety of jobs, from teaching to being a DJ, which might keep things interesting, but it doesn’t scream high earnings. However, the Co-CEO position might step things up in terms of salary over time. The Vanderbilt grad seems to be steadily climbing in the digital marketing world, which can be lucrative, especially if they stick with it. The Columbia College Chicago alum is bouncing between service jobs and some music-related gigs, which could mean lower overall earnings unless they land a more stable position in their field.
On the other end of the spectrum, graduates from schools like University of Southern California and Berklee are involved in pretty solid roles related to their studies, like teaching positions and sound design. These can definitely lead to a good paycheck if they keep climbing the ladder. Also, the folks that have taken on entrepreneurial paths, like those from East Carolina University and UC San Diego, show someone has to hustle a bit more and get creative to make decent money in the arts. Generally, it looks like many graduates have the potential to earn well, but there are quite a few who might be starting out on lower-paying jobs while trying to build their careers.
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 Theory and Composition. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Music Theory and Composition (ordered by the average relevance score of their Music Theory and Composition graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: