Look for expert advice what’s best thing to do for my DD fall 2024 major choices
Music industry and Business majors
She got into 2 music schools
Drexel Music industry with accelerated mba ( with 26k scholarship) COA 54k
Jacob school of music ( audio engineering) + dual degree possible 55k
Stony Brook Business Major + music tech minor - (13k scholarship) - COA 35k
Pitt business school - COA 52k
Still waiting for local Rutgers business - 35k/year
We are bit confused what the career prospects on music industry she is naturally talented in music but I see salaries are low 40k vs business major better jobs prospects
What’s the best choice and her career wise
We are close to NY and NJ.
My sons looked at these type of programs for a minute. The best ones we saw east of the Mississippi were Belmont in Nashville, Emerson in Boston and the Syracuse Bandier program which is hyper competitive.
Of the schools on your list I don’t think any of them stand out for entertainment. Maybe Drexel. My sons liked Drexel. Westphal seems pretty strong and it’s in Philly. Overall I think the entertainment business is very competitive and pay is low. I wouldn’t go into debt for the degree.
As for straight business degrees, Pitt and Rutgers make the most sense. Very good B schools. Find internships in the music business is probably the best way to start. Being near a large city like Philly or NYC would probably help. Good luck.
There is also a very helpful music major forum on CC
Music industry, audio engineering, music tech, and straight business are all pretty different. And within music tech or music industry, for instance, terminology differs as do the details of the program.
What else does he do in music? What does he want? Are career and financial concerns driving him or does he want to pursue something he loves for undergrad? I am unclear on what he wants since the programs all look so different.
Is he in NY or NJ? Is the financial picture at all of these the same, or affordable?
Did he consider Northeastern with its coop?
I think internships during the school year and during the summer can help a lot with these career paths, regardless of major or program.
My Daugther very interested in becoming music producer or something in that lines of career or anything related to music business other options.
Financials is not huge concern but we are concerned what that correct career path and long term she is independent to grow in her career. After all the 4 year degree we don’t want her to worry she need to redo her career or find out this doesn’t work out. Rather figure out now what’s right thing to do.
We are in NJ but border to NYC literally like 30 mins drive.
We are still waiting on few college admissions Northeastern/NYU / USC/UMiami/CMU music programs
Honestly she can major in anything and do internships. Beth Morrison runs a workshop for producing. My kid did two internships related to these areas and it is not at all what they majored in. Is your daughter a musician? If money were no object, what would she want to spend 4 years studying?
What exactly does she think “producing” means? And I don’t see a “music production” program here. Does she want to organize concerts and tours, or work in a studio producing music, or run actual concert production?
More in the lines for work in a studio producing music that’s her dream. She plays multiple instruments and has her own band sings and plays instruments more into Indie rock. I am not musician not sure sure exact words and terminology. She applied to colleges of her choice where the program looks more appropriate.
She also likes business which she did quite well courses in the school.
She needs to look into the details of each program to make sure they fit her goals. She could also major in performance and do electives and internships. “Production” means all kinds of things as does “music technology.” Some of these are closer to composition that technical studio work.
If you are looking at cost, MTSU (Middle Tenn State) is a top music business program and just 40 minutes from Nashville. Lots come there for music education. It’s highly respected.
It’s $36K before merit. And there will be merit. It’s listed in the billboard article above.
I would encourage thinking broadly about possible majors as well as being a location/city that provides her with access to opportunities. She has some options. Consider that the big part of producing/being in the industry is the ability to form relationships, and her ability to market herself and her unique abilities. What “skills” does she want to acquire in college to add to what she already has? My son is a musician/music producer who did not want a performance degree…he is majoring in marketing and minoring in music business and entrepreneurship at DePaul. He could have gone to that same program at Drexel but decided on a broader degree option.
You hit on it right topics that’s exactly what she wanted to do build the network and how to produce labels and recording, grow to level of music producer/originals / scoring etc.
I am curious to know how is your Son growing in this field and income levels if you Don’t mind sharing on private message is fine? Can I message you directly ?
not sure sure exact words and terminology. She applied to colleges of her choice where the program looks more appropriate.