10 Best Online Music Degree Programs in 2026

<h3 id="section---1.BerkleeCollegeOfMusic">1. Berklee College of Music</h3><p>Berklee College of Music is a prestigious private school located in Boston, MA. It offers various music degrees through its remote component, Berklee Online, including the following: </p><ul><li>Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music composition </li><li>BA in music business </li><li>BA in voice performance </li></ul><p>The school also offers top online master's degrees in music with specializations in film scoring, songwriting, and more. Students in these programs benefit from affordable tuition rates, flexible part-time and full-time study options, and the ability to transfer up to 60 credits. Courses are taught by the same world-renowned faculty that teaches in-person classes. </p><h3 id="section---2.MusiciansInstitute">2. Musicians Institute</h3><p>Musicians Institute is a private, for-profit music school located in Los Angeles. It offers various online certificates and associate degrees, along with bachelor's degrees in performance, songwriting, and production. </p><p>Students in the performance program can focus their studies on vocal performance or one of several instruments. Students participate in live online courses that help them develop real-world skills in music, and two on-campus intensives help them meet Bachelor Ensemble and Jury requirements for their degree. </p><h3 id="section---3.BaptistUniversityOfFlorida">3. Baptist University of Florida</h3><p>Baptist University of Florida is a private school in Graceville, FL. It is a small school with an enrollment of less than 500 students, but it provides various online music degrees. Offerings include the following: </p><ul><li>Bachelor of Music Education </li><li>BA in music </li><li>Bachelor of Music in worship leadership </li></ul><p>These bachelor's degree programs help students develop practical skills covering a range of musical concepts — this prepares them for various career paths. All coursework is asynchronous, enabling students to study on any schedule that works for them. </p><h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfMiami">4. University of Miami</h3><p>The University of Miami is a private school in Coral Gables, FL. The university's Frost School of Music provides an array of online programs. Some of the options include: </p><ul><li>Master of Arts (MA) in music industry </li><li>MA in popular music pedagogy </li><li>MA in live entertainment management </li><li>Master of Music (MM) in media scoring and production </li></ul><p>Students can also pursue various graduate certificates and micro-credentials. Students complete accelerated seven-week courses, potentially finishing most master's degree programs within 18 months. </p><h3 id="section---5.WashingtonStateUniversity">5. Washington State University</h3><p>Washington State University is a public school in Pullman, WA. Graduate students at this school can earn an online MA in music. </p><p>This 30-credit program is designed for music teachers or aspiring musicians in other fields. It provides flexible online courses so students can fit them around other commitments. The program features three optional areas of emphasis: composition, music education, and jazz. </p><h3 id="section---6.AcademyOfArtUniversity">6. Academy of Art University</h3><p>Academy of Art University is a private, for-profit school in San Francisco, CA. It provides online music degrees at associate, bachelor's, and master's levels in the following areas of study: </p><ul><li>music scoring and composition </li><li>music production </li><li>sound design </li></ul><p>Students can complete their degrees through asynchronous or live online courses, studying at their own pace or on a set schedule. Depending on their chosen degree, students develop skills in music editing, composing, dialogue recording, and more. </p><h3 id="section---7.LosAngelesFilmSchool">7. Los Angeles Film School</h3><p>The Los Angeles Film School is a private, for-profit institution providing various online associate and bachelor's degrees. Online music students can earn degrees in music business and music production. </p><p>Through these programs, enrollees study topics like music theory, composition, technology, and business topics in entertainment. Flexible and interactive coursework makes college accessible for busy students while helping them stay on track. </p><h3 id="section---8.UniversityOfMaineAugusta">8. University of Maine Augusta</h3><p>The University of Maine Augusta is a public school that offers online degree programs in many subjects. Music degrees available here include music technology and contemporary and popular music. </p><p>These bachelor's level programs offer flexible online courses for busy students. The contemporary and popular music degree offers concentrations in music education, music technology, and performance/composition. </p><h3 id="section---9.ValleyCityStateUniversity">9. Valley City State University</h3><p>Valley City State University is a public school in North Dakota. It offers online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in music. </p><p>Both programs feature a wide range of electives so students can tailor their degrees to their particular musical interests. Students culminate their studies with a capstone project to develop hands-on skills. </p><h3 id="section---10.RockyMountainCollegeOfArtAndDesign">10. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design</h3><p>Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a private, for-profit art school in Lakewood, CO. It offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in music production. </p><p>Students in this program study topics like music theory, music history, digital production technologies, and more as they learn to develop their own music production style. Online coursework is flexible, accessible, and affordable for busy students from all walks of life. </p><h2 id="section---OurSelectionCriteria">Our Selection Criteria</h2><p>We strive to choose the highest-quality programs for our rank lists. We used the following criteria when selecting the above schools: </p><ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> All of the schools are accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies. </li><li><b>Reputation:</b> Each school has a strong reputation for providing respected academics, both online and on-campus. </li><li><b>Programs Available:</b> Many of the schools in this article offer a range of music degrees, giving students of various interests numerous options to choose from. </li></ul><h2 id="section---WhatToExpectFromOnlineMusicPrograms">What To Expect from Online Music Programs</h2><p>Online music programs provide the same rigorous education as in-person programs. That said, coursework is typically more flexible. Students can often complete class assignments on their own time or on a schedule that works around other commitments they may have. </p><p>Course assignments may include video lectures or class discussions, remote training sessions, reading and writing assignments, and more. Depending on the program, students may need to complete some in-person assignments or internship experiences. </p><h3 id="section---CourseworkInAnOnlineMusicProgram">Coursework in an Online Music Program</h3><p>There are many different types of music degree programs. Required coursework can vary depending on the focus of the program. That said, some common courses in music programs cover topics such as: </p><ul><li>music theory </li><li>music production </li><li>composition </li><li>performance </li><li>music business </li></ul><h2 id="section---ScholarshipsForOnlineStudentsInMusic">Scholarships for Online Students in Music</h2><p>Attending <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_that_accept_fafsa.html">online schools that accept FAFSA</a> and applying for scholarships can help students save money. Let's look at some good scholarships for music majors. </p><h3 id="section---WilshireQuinnMusicalArtsScholarship">Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship</h3><p><b>Award Amount:</b> $10,000 </p><p><b>Application Deadline:</b> June 1, 2025 </p><p>This scholarship is available to music students between the ages of 17 and 24 attending or planning to attend a U.S. college full-time. Those of any musical interest will be considered. One scholarship recipient is chosen per year. </p><h3 id="section---MusicForwardFoundationScholarships">Music Forward Foundation Scholarships</h3><p><b>Award Amount:</b> $10,000 </p><p><b>Application Deadline:</b> March 31, 2025 </p><p>The nonprofit Music Forward Foundation provides five scholarships for music students, each awarding $10,000 to one recipient. Specific application instructions and eligibility requirements vary depending on the scholarship. </p><h3 id="section---BMIFoundationScholarships">BMI Foundation Scholarships</h3><p><b>Award Amount:</b> Varies </p><p><b>Application Deadline:</b> January 15, 2025 </p><p>The BMI Foundation provides eight scholarships for students of different musical interests and talents. Award amounts vary by scholarship. Some of the programs include the John Lennon Award, the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award, and the BMI Future Jazz Master Award. </p><h2 id="section---MusicIndustryCareerPathsForGraduates">Music Industry Career Paths for Graduates</h2><p>Music majors can explore a wide range of creative career paths. Some of the potential job titles include: </p><ul><li>music director </li><li>music teacher </li><li>performer </li><li>songwriter </li><li>music therapist </li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutEarningMusicDegreesOnline">FAQs About Earning Music Degrees Online</h2><p>If you still have questions about getting an online degree in music, you're not alone. We're here to provide answers to some of those questions. </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheAdmissionRequirementsForAnOnlineMusicProgram">What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Music Program?</h3><p>Admission requirements can vary from school to school but are generally the same for both online and on-campus programs. Some common admission requirements may include: </p><ul><li>high school diploma or GED </li><li>official transcripts showing you've met a minimum GPA </li><li>standardized test scores </li><li>essay or personal statement </li><li>letters of recommendation </li><li>an audition or audition video </li></ul><h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToCompleteAnOnlineMusicDegreeProgram">How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Music Degree Program?</h3><p>In most cases, it takes about four years for full-time students to complete an online bachelor's degree and about two years for an online master's degree. If you're enrolled in an accelerated online music degree, you could finish a bachelor's degree in one to three years and a master's degree in less than a year. </p><p>If you study part-time, it could take six years or longer to earn your bachelor's — and three to five years for your master's. </p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAnOnlineBachelorSDegreeInMusicCost">How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree in Music Cost?</h3><p>Music degree costs vary depending on the school and program level. On average, these degrees cost anywhere from $470 to $690 per credit hour, and range from $56,000 to $83,000 in total tuition. </p><h2 id="section---ExploreOnlineProgramsAndEnrollToday">Explore Online Programs and Enroll Today</h2><p>If you're ready to begin your music career, explore the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to discover more about their programs and which one is right for you.</p>