4 Affordable Online MBA in Music Business Programs 2025

The music industry is worth billions of dollars and has many layers of complexity. Everything from music marketing and artist management to music publishing can benefit from knowledgeable business managers with superior decision-making skills.

To get there, you'll need a Master of Business Administration in music business. This article will show you where to go to earn an MBA in music business management.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Music Business?

A music business MBA combines the skills of a business manager with concepts related to music production and the entertainment industry. By focusing on the business of music, MBA graduates can learn all the important aspects of managing record labels, developing marketing strategies for bands and songwriters, running concert promotions, and many other tasks. MBA coursework for this concentration also incorporates several other related subfields, such as entrepreneurship, financial management, information technology, public relations, and intellectual property law.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Music Business Cost?

The typical cost of an MBA in music business online degree is approaching $30,000. Online degrees, however, are usually at least somewhat cheaper than on-campus options. You can also reduce the tuition burden by applying to business schools in more affordable parts of the country (especially the Southeast and Southwest). There are also scholarships for online students available.

Cheapest Online Music Business MBA Programs

Here's a list of reputable music business MBA programs. These universities offer flexible online/hybrid learning formats for part-time or full-time students.

1. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas offers a 36-credit online MBA program featuring several concentrations, including music business leadership. It involves taking 12 courses altogether with an expected total tuition bill of just $23,900.

MBA students get a chance to explore exciting elective topics, such as digital audio production for entrepreneurs, performing arts management, the legal aspects of music, and more. The program also requires rigorous coursework in statistics, finance, accounting, IT, and marketing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $478 per credit hour
• Program length: 18 to 24 months
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) - International

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) not only offers several online undergraduate and graduate degrees, but is also the first college to allow MBA students to concentrate in music management. It does so through its partnership with the Berklee School of Music. This specialization allows you to develop new skills in areas like music business leadership, finance and marketing, and adaptable strategies for business development.

The program application is free, only takes minutes to complete, and online classes come with 24/7 tech support. SNHU also claims you can lower your total tuition costs to $15,816 by transferring six courses from another degree program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Program length: 15 to 24 months
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

3. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers an MBA in music, consisting of 14 graduate-level courses, available 100% online. The degree requirements involve 11 core business courses along with three or four required courses devoted to managing in the music business.

Although you can take all courses online, MTSU requires incoming students to earn at least a 2.75 GPA and submit a GMAT/GRE score high enough to gain admission, depending on their GPA. Music courses cover topics like revenue generation in the industry, entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights, and entertainment branding.

• Estimated tuition cost: $700 per credit hour
• Program length: Two to 2.5 years
• Accreditation: AACSB

4. Full Sail University

Full Sail University offers a hybrid master's degree devoted to developing business management skills in music and other performing arts. It offers courses like Executive Leadership, Negotiation and Deal-Making, and Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution.

This program could be a solid match for students seeking to own their own music business, discover the business side of the entertainment industry, or learn how to negotiate contracts as a booking agent or talent manager. Full Sail even lends students a free Apple MacBook with multiple software components to help with their graduate studies.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit hour
• Program length: One to two years
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

How We Rank Schools

This is how we ranked music business schools on this list. Each program must hold academic accreditation, have affordable tuition, and enjoy a solid reputation in the academic community.

• Accreditation: These degree programs maintain accreditation from reviewers like AACSB.
• Affordability: This list includes schools with tuition rates of $1,000 or less.
• Program reputation: These are well-known business colleges with a great reputation in the academic community and among business leaders and entrepreneurs.

What To Expect From an Online Music Business MBA Program

An online MBA degree in music will involve various business courses in topics like music marketing, music business finance, and often a capstone project. Since we've included colleges that charge less than average, you may be able to enroll in an MBA program with about $15,000 to $25,000 total program cost for degrees that usually take at least 1 year to finish.

FAQs About Online MBA in Music Business Programs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding these MBA music business management programs. This section covers topics like salary expectations, the respectability of certain schools, and more.

Is an MBA in Music Business Worth It?

Yes, this degree program may be well worth it if your career goals involve making serious decisions and managing millions of dollars in the music industry. Plus, it's always a wise investment to pursue an advanced education in a field that's constantly expanding.

How Much Can I Make With an MBA Music Business Degree?

The MBA in music business salary expectations can be quite lucrative, but precise expectations depend on which jobs you pursue. If, for example, you choose to manage artists and performers, then you may have the chance to earn well over $100,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are also several related jobs for industry professionals that command salaries of at least $80,000 with just a few years of experience.

Can I Work in the Music Industry Without a Music Degree?

Yes, you can work in the music industry without a music degree. Many musical artists achieve tremendous success without going to college at all. Also, business professionals can enter the music industry without attending a specific music school or focusing on the topic exclusively in college.

Is the SNHU MBA in Music Business Degree Respected?

Yes, SNHU has one of the most reputable online MBA degrees in music, which it offers in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The university also has a terrific reputation for online degrees in almost every other marketable discipline.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Online MBA in Music Business?

If you earn an MBA in music business management online, you have the chance to explore many rewarding jobs after graduation. These include important roles like music publisher, tour manager, booking agent, music supervisor, copyright administrator, artist manager, and other high-paying real-world career opportunities.

Discover Online MBA Programs

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