Music Industry/Business Major which college Drexel vs Jacob Indiana University vs UPitt vs Stony Brook

Look for expert advice on what’s the best thing to do for my DD fall 2024 major choices
Music industry and Business majors

She has been accepted into 2 music schools so far, she is very naturally talented plays multiple instruments, and started her own band that plays the indie rock genre. Goal into Music scoring, production and recording label etc., I am not the expert :slight_smile:
She is impressed with the Drexel program which has 6 studios and proximity to Home and being in Philly.

  1. Drexel Music industry with accelerated mba ( with 26k scholarship) COA 80k-26k=54k
  2. Indiana University Jacob School of Music ( audio engineering) + dual degree possible 54k
  3. Stony Brook Business Major + music tech minor - (13k scholarship) - COA 35k
  4. Pitt Business School - COA 52k
  5. Still waiting for local Rutgers business - 35k/year

She is still waiting for her dream college NYU and other colleges
UMiami Frost MI/NYU Music Business/CMU Music Tech/Rochester /Syracuse MI
not sure how good Northeastern Music Tech
other business schools she applied Penn State/Rutgers still waiting

We are a bit confused about the career prospects in the music industry she is naturally talented in music but I see salaries are low 40k vs business major’s better job prospects.
Let’s leave cost aside, looking for the best career advice for my DD.
any advice is most welcome!
We are close to NY and NJ.

Most “passion jobs” have a low starting salary.

However Audio engineering should be better.
So far, I’d keep Indiana Jacob (highly respected) and Stony Brook (for the lower COA and Business+Music Tech combination).

2 Likes

The terminology is music tech, production, industry and business vary as do the programs so I suggest she look into the details of each program to make sure they meet her needs and goals.

In another thread I actually suggested Northeastern but for Music Industry. The Coop could be a big plus for her since she is career-focused.

Some music technology and production programs lean towards creative work (compositional) rather than technical studio work.

Audio engineering is an outlier here with a clear vocational path. Is audio engineering what she wants?

I find the diversity of programs here to be a little confusing.

No matter what she does - she can do internships in the field to gain experience and contacts.

thanks for your advice on different thread :slight_smile:
Yes agree there is too much of a range of programs she applied to between Music Tech/Audio Engineering/Business.

Yes both Drexel and NU have coop programs that helps try different jobs.
my Son is already in NU junior he is a CS guy whose coop is amazing, but NU gives very little amount scholarships
vs Drexel already gave 26k + other loans

Stony Brook and Rutgers look like they are the most affordable. Montclair in NJ has a good reputation too.

From the website (I am curious and looking up all these programs for future reference)

Music Industry | Drexel Westphal
The Music Industry program at Drexel Westphal encourages learning through collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the music industry. Music Industry majors select a concentration—Recording & Music Production (RAMP) or Music Business—but students are encouraged to take courses in both areas, learning both the business and creative sides of the music industry. Students in the Music Business concentration may also choose to pursue an accelerated BS/MBA in partnership with Drexel’s LeBow College of Business.

Music Industry students play a role in the industry as part of their undergraduate experience, by spending two summer co-ops working for employers at record labels, music venues, recording studios, radio stations, or booking agencies.

With a curriculum focused on cutting-edge production techniques, current business and legal developments, and a basic music education, the Music Industry program at Drexel Westphal is a unique experience for students who have a passion for the music industry. Students receive hands-on instruction starting the first day of classes using the latest equipment in our recording studios and digital audio labs.

A music business degree can lead to a variety of careers in the industry. We have seen Drexel Music Industry graduates influence the course of the music industry in their roles as:

  • Record executives
  • Booking agents
  • Recording engineers
  • Producers
  • Label owners

Audio Engineering and Sound Production: Areas of Study: Degrees & Programs: Jacobs School of Music: Indiana University Bloomington

You’ll get hundreds of hours of hands-on experience working in our state-of-the-art studios and world-class performance venues and will have extensive opportunities for audio engineering and production, music creation, and performance.

In addition to working on the numerous and varied performances of the school, our ongoing collaborations with IU colleagues such as the Media School and the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance provide technical and creative opportunities in sound for visual media, game audio, theatrical sound design, and live sound.

Business Management Major | College of Business (stonybrook.edu)

Business Management major requirements combined with Stony Brook’s liberal arts education, will prepare students to manage effectively in the world’s competitive marketplaces. Students have the opportunity to specialize in one of four major business areas: accounting, finance, operations management, and marketing.

Click here for major requirements.

[Overview | Department of Music (stonybrook.edu)]

(Overview | Department of Music)

Music and Technology Minor

The minor in Music and Technology is designed to provide students interested in music, media, and digital technology and the arts, with a foundation specific to the latest developments in music and technology along with a basic background in the history and theory of music. Students in other majors who have interdisciplinary interests will find this minor valuable as preparation for further studies dealing with the arts and culture. Less rigorous than the music major, the minor is not intended to prepare students for advanced study or professional work in music. This track requires a minimum of 20 credits.

1 Like

My DD did quite extensive research on each of the colleges she applied and all the colleges she applied to have Music Tech/Industry + Business as a combination.

Drexel Music Industry is very selective only 60 students are selected and they have an amazing 6 studios and close proximity to various studios and internships etc., she can always come back to NYC to work as well. I am not sure who has success in this program :slight_smile:

I added to my post because CC suggested I include in one post. Others benefit from seeing these and I was curious. Posting about the other two now.

University of Pittsburgh Business
Homepage | Pitt Business

The Pitt Business curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree. Students can earn the BSBA within the following majors:

Home | Rutgers Business School
Undergraduate Programs | Rutgers Business School

Our programs are intended to equip you with the skills you need to enter the work force as a professional and deal ethically and effectively with the variety of complex problems that arise in business. Not only that, a bachelor’s degree from RBS also prepares you for post-graduate study in business, law, and other disciplines if you choose to pursue further education beyond your undergraduate degree.

Gateway and Accelerated Programs | Rutgers Business School

Undergraduate students have an opportunity to get a head start on earning a business master’s degree, which can provide a strong foundation at the start of your career. Rutgers Business School has designed two paths for undergraduate students to be seamlessly admitted into graduate-level programs that lead to a master’s degree: Gateway and Accelerated programs. By enrolling in a master’s program as an undergraduate student, you can save money on graduate tuition.

Gateway Programs for current Rutgers Business School students

The following programs follow the admissions process detailed below.

  • Gateway to MACC Financial Accounting
  • Gateway to MACC Taxation
  • Gateway to online MACC Professional Accounting
  • Gateway to online MACC Governmental Accounting
  • Gateway to online Master of Supply Chain Management
  • Gateway to Master of Science in Business of Fashion
  • Gateway to Master of Quantitative Finance
  • Gateway to Master of Financial Analysis

My son is also applying to music industry/business/technology programs. We found this list in Billboard magazine useful: Top Music Business Schools: Billboard’s 2023 List – Billboard

Some standout programs our son is applying to:
Temple has an Audio & Live Entertainment major at Klein, and a Music Techology major at Boyer

Drexel - program seems fantastic as you know. Our son was deferred from EA.

Berklee

NYU

Syracuse - also 2 programs i believe in different schools

Also making the list: SUNY Oneonta and Hofstra

2 Likes

Columbia College Chicago is another one. Majors & Programs - Academics - Columbia College Chicago
Acoustics, Audio Arts, Music Business, Music Technology, Sounds Design and Marketing among others

Montclair State U. in NJ has an excellent reputation and affordability.

Recording Arts And Production BA – John J. Cali School Of Music - Montclair State University

Has he considered Montclair? Our local music director went there and we know one of the excellent faculty members there.

That is correct she got into Temple as well, but odd no scholarships kind of 50K COA

we haven’t looked at Montclair, she is happy with most of the colleges she applied to.
I will tell her about Montclair do they have a good network in the Music area?

From what I have heard, which is of course limited, yes. It has a good reputation.

1 Like