Billboard’s 2026 Top Music Business Schools

An AI agent’s deft reply: “AI makes information cheap; it doesn’t replace judgment, deep expertise, mentorship, networks or credentials required in [many] fields. The real question is: What path best builds the skills, credibility and opportunities your goals require?”

For many targeting careers in the music business, their path will lead them to one of Billboard’s Top Music Schools.

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For more than a decade, Billboard has been spotlighting schools that are educating the next generation of music industry leaders, as well as the artists and producers who recognize the importance of the business skills these schools teach.

Billboard selects its top music business schools based on industry recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from our multiple power lists, years of reporting on educational options and on information requested from the schools themselves. We invite selected schools to tell us what makes their program unique, to boast about accomplished alumni and to describe specific courses, events and speakers.

Not surprisingly, students increasingly will be offered courses like Artificial Intelligence in the Entertainment Industry: Benefits, Risks and the Future, offered at American University in Washington, D.C., which explores the ways AI is transforming music creation, distribution and rights management.

Billboard does not rank the schools here; they are listed alphabetically, and areas of expertise range from performance to production to management. The U.S. Department of Education hosts a free online College Scorecard that provides quantitative information to complement the qualitative profiles here, including specific data on college costs, graduation rates, employment and student debt. Students also should review the Federal Student Aid Financial Responsibility Composite Scores, compiled by the Department of Education, to confirm the financial stability of schools they are considering.

In July 2025, the passage of major tax and spending legislation imposed new limits on some types of federal student loans. And college debt can significantly affect student options after graduation. So here, Billboard has included more affordable public colleges and universities. We also continue to recognize historically Black colleges and universities like Howard University and Tennessee State University and continue to add schools from outside music industry capitals, like debut honorees University of Hartford in Connecticut, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Memphis.

There is no doubt that students planning careers in the music business — or any field — face more uncertainty than ever in the age of AI. At the commencement address of Middle Tennessee State University in June, Big Machine Label Group founder/CEO Scott Borchetta, a major supporter of the music business school that now bears his name, drew boos from graduates when he spoke of AI’s importance.

But Borchetta pushed back on their reaction. “Platforms and systems come and go,” he said. “What is still the most valuable commodity is great content, great storytelling. AI is not going to change that.”

Abbey Road Institute
London

Established in 2015 by the London studio immortalized by The Beatles, Abbey Road Institute offers a variety of curriculum tracks for students seeking music industry careers. The Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering recently launched the Dolby Atmos Mixing for Music short course and Song Production Master Class, which welcomes producers and engineers to take a deep dive on their approach to production. Students are primarily based at Angel Studios in London and regularly run recording workshops at Abbey Road Studios. Students working toward an Audio Post Production Diploma attend a Foley Recording workshop at Sound Disposition in North London and a master class in the Mix Stage at Abbey Road, while those in the Dolby Atmos course attend a master class at Dolby HQ in Soho, London. The institute has affiliated programs in Paris; Amsterdam; Berlin; Frankfurt, Germany; Johannesburg; and Miami.

American University (Business and Entertainment Program)
Washington, D.C.

American University’s Business and Entertainment Program, housed in the Kogod School of Business, offers a unique perspective about the legal and business intersections in the music industry. It provides students a front-row seat to the legislative and regulatory agencies behind copyright law and their roles in the ever-­changing technological landscape. The program expanded this year to include Sports and Entertainment as a popular specialization for students who wish to focus on ways that those two industries meet the demands of fans and consumers. A popular course is Artificial Intelligence in the Entertainment Industry: Benefits, Risks and the Future, which explores how AI is transforming music creation, distribution and rights management.

Auburn University
Auburn, Ala.

Along with relevant coursework and industry-led master classes, Auburn’s music business program features a faculty-sponsored, student-run record label that released four professionally produced student projects created through the Clayton Recording Arts Honors program. Required courses prepare students for careers across the music industry and are taught by experienced faculty with professional backgrounds. Graduates of the program have secured positions at companies including WME, Sony and THE·TEAM. BMG Nashville senior vp/head of creative Chris Oglesby recently spoke as part of the Master Class series, which all music business minors, commercial music majors and comp tech majors are invited to attend.

Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, Ohio

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland, Baldwin Wallace University has prepared students for successful careers in the music business for over 30 years. Music industry majors receive specialized instruction from industry professionals and their classroom experiences are supplemented by internships steeped in Cleveland’s vibrant musical economy. Internship partners include Blossom Music Center, the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This spring, music industry students took a networking trip to New York, where they visited Amazon Music, Concord, Independent Artist Group, Live Nation and Universal Attractions Agency.

Belmont University (Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business)
Nashville

Graduates of Curb College include songwriter-producer Gabe Simon (Noah Kahan, Koe Wetzel, Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa), Spirit Music Group CEO Frank Rogers and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and Tape Room Music founder Ashley Gorley. The college within Belmont University pairs rigorous business training with six specialized study tracks. With the school’s main campus one block from Music Row and with recording studios on site, students work inside the industry beginning their first year. In addition to semester programs in New York and Los Angeles and nearly 30 international courses, the Belmont Showcase Series gives students full ownership of live production, planning and execution of six major concerts and four writers’ rounds annually. Curb College also partners with the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences for Belmont’s Center for Mental Health in Entertainment.

Berklee College of Music
Boston

Berklee offers a bachelor of music in music business, where students focus on the primary drivers of the global music ecosystem including record companies, concerts and touring, music publishing and artist management. The Boston campus also offers a bachelor of arts program in music industry leadership and innovation, which is open to nonmusicians. The Berklee Popular Music Institute’s flagship program, BPMI Live, offers a yearlong experience in which students scout, develop and tour with emerging artists at the industry’s largest music festivals. This spring, students enrolled in the course brought Jazz Cuti to Oberkampf (France) and Leila Lamb to Southside (Germany) and Pinkpop (Netherlands).

Berklee College of Music (Valencia Campus)
Valencia, Spain

Berklee Valencia’s master of arts in global entertainment and music business stands out through its hands-on approach, location and global perspective. The program explores key markets across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa through guest speakers and industry engagement. Students work on real-world projects and customize their studies through electives aligned with their career goals. The course Technology Practicum offers a critical examination of emerging technologies such as AI, equipping students as future-ready music industry professionals while also engaging with ethical, legal, cultural and labor questions. Students also participate in the annual Berklee Global Career Summit, featuring keynotes, panels and mentoring from international experts.

BIMM University (BIMM Music Institute)
London

The BIMM Music Institute combines specialized music-business teaching with direct industry access. Students work on live briefs, placements and major events, learning from active professionals across management, marketing, publishing, events and media, while a dedicated team connects them with employers and professional opportunities. Glastonbury Festival head of productions Emma Reynolds-Taylor recently delivered a master class on careers and operations in major event production, which directly led to one student securing a monthlong paid role in the Pyramid Stage production office, while 16 others supported teams working across stage and hospitality areas at the festival. Alumni include Chrysalis Records and Blue Raincoat Music senior vp of marketing James Meadows and Bex Redwood, who co-runs Republic of Music’s artist management division. The institute has affiliated campuses in Manchester, England; Dublin; and Berlin.

The BRIT School
Croydon, England

The British Record Industry Trust (the charitable division of U.K. labels trade group BPI that presents the BRIT Awards) partnered with the British government in 1991 to create The BRIT School, which prepares students ages 14 and older for a range of industry careers both on- and offstage. Its deep industry integration ensures students take part in weekly master classes and learn from professionals across every area of the business. Spotify artists and music marketing manager Jonathan Chabala and Sony Music Entertainment senior director of brand partnerships Andre Carroll are among graduates of the school, where students gain practical experience through live projects, networking opportunities, showcases and a self-directed final major project. Through Universal Music Group’s Amplify U program, select students shadow professionals at UMG offices in partnership with U.K. music safety organization Music Guardians. Olivia Dean, the reigning best new artist Grammy winner, is one artist to have emerged from The BRIT School.

California State University, Northridge
Northridge, Calif.

At CSUN’s music industry studies program, the student-run record label, VOVE Records, hosts an annual California tour in the spring, giving students real-world experience in booking, tour management and live production. Students also attend major industry gatherings, including The NAMM Show and SXSW, as well as label and studio visits, enabling them to build professional networks beyond the classroom. Located in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the program regularly brings Grammy-winning artists and senior executives to campus for intimate conversations with students. Recent guests include JBR Creative Group CEO Alison Ball, Grammy-winning producer Terrace Martin, jazz drummer Clayton Cameron and Grammy-winning mixing engineer Erik Madrid.

Delta State University (Entertainment Industry Studies Program)
Cleveland, Miss.

Housed within the College of Business, the Delta Music Institute’s program provides hands-on experience in artist management, music publishing, entertainment marketing, live-event production and entrepreneurship as students work toward a bachelor of science in entertainment industry studies. Students regularly participate in industry-focused travel experiences, including a recent trip to Los Angeles through Grammy U where they met with music industry professionals and toured leading entertainment organizations. On campus, those in the popular course DMI Artist Management develop strategic career plans, evaluate revenue opportunities and examine how emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping artist development, marketing, audience engagement and the broader music industry. The course emphasizes practical, real-world business applications.

Drexel University (Westphal College of Media Arts and Design)
Philadelphia

Drexel’s co-op program ensures music industry students spend six months working in the industry at labels, management companies, publishing firms, venues, agencies and studios. Experiential education is embedded throughout the curriculum. Courses like the flagship Mad Dragon Music Group bring hands-on experience across record label operations, artist development, A&R, marketing and promotion, e-commerce and business operations. During the 2025-26 academic year, MDMG students put out previously unreleased recordings from the Sigma Sound Studios Collection in the Drexel Audio Archives dating back to 1972 by psychedelic funk/soul group Choice 4 Inc. The collection includes approximately 7,000 audiotapes from the iconic recording studio that helped define “The Sound of Philadelphia.”

Full Sail University (School of Music and Recording)
Winter Park, Fla.

Full Sail University’s music business program provides students with a comprehensive curriculum covering essential areas of the music industry, including publishing, management, licensing, marketing and data analysis. They gain hands-on experience by working with emerging artists on real-world projects, and off-campus experiences enhance coursework in classrooms. In recent months, students received exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Electric Daisy Carnival, including a Q&A with festival executive producers; toured the Welcome to Rockville festival grounds at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the event; and participated in field trips to nearby Orlando to visit the Kia Center, Camping World Stadium and AFRO TV Studios. Alumni include WME agent Andrew Mack and Universal Music Latino senior vp of A&R Duarte “Duda” Figueira.

Hofstra University
Hempstead, N.Y.

Hofstra’s proximity to New York City provides ample opportunity for experiential learning and many students complete six to eight internships during their four years at the university at companies including ­Spotify, Warner Music, LoyalT Management, BMI and the Bonnaroo festival. The music business program offers a cross-­disciplinary curriculum incorporating music, music business, music production, prelaw, fine arts/design and general business and marketing. This year, it partnered with Hofstra’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business to launch an accelerated five-year program combining a bachelor in music and performance and a master of business administration. Alumni include Neil Gillis, co-founder and president of Round Hill Music Publishing, who was recently elected to the board of the National Music Publishers’ Association.

Howard University (The Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business)
Washington, D.C.

Under the direction of 30-year music industry executive Jasmine “Jazz” Young, who led marketing campaigns for artists including Jay-Z and DMX, Howard’s Warner Music/­Blavatnik Center emphasizes real-world application alongside academic excellence. Students learn from industry practitioners who’ve built careers at companies including Warner Music Group, Def Jam, Atlantic Records and Live Nation. Placing AI at the forefront of learning, the center recently hosted a “discussion” with AI artist Xania Monet, the virtual persona created by Mississippi poet and designer Telisha “Nikki” Jones. In partnership with the RIAA, students engaged in conversations exploring the legal, ethical, creative and commercial impact of AI on music creation, ownership and artist rights. Courses, like a new offering centered on the career of Cardi B, are continually being updated to stay culturally relevant.

Kennesaw State University (The Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program)
Kennesaw, Ga.

Coy Bowles and John Driskell Hopkins of the Grammy-­winning Zac Brown Band are artists-in-residence at Kennesaw’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program, whose graduates include Red Light Management manager Ashley Majher Manarino and Warner Bros. urban marketing associate Riley Donnellan. Housed in the Michael J. Coles College of Business and bearing the name of the legendary entertainment attorney who died in 2025, the program is open to all undergraduate majors. All students in the upper-level capstone courses complete three externship opportunities at companies ranging from Sony Music, Greenberg Traurig and Live Nation to Sixthman and Coca-Cola Studios to earn their minor or certificates.

Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts
Liverpool, England

Founded by Paul McCartney and educator Mark Featherstone-Witty and marking its 20th anniversary this year, LIPA offers both a bachelor of arts (honors) and a master of arts program in music industry management. In each, students train alongside an eclectic mix of musicians, dancers, engineers, producers, technicians, designers and filmmakers. Hands-on experiences include the three-week music festival 2ube Xtra, which features performances by final-year music students. In their senior year, bachelor of arts students complete a three-month industry placement tailored to their career ambitions; recent assignments include Various Artists Management, Warner Music, Live Nation and Blackstar Amplification. The school also has a partnership with local government entity Sefton Council, where students work on live events at the Liverpool venue Salt and Tar and its music festival.

Long Island University (The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment)
Brooklyn

Since its launch in 2021, the Roc Nation School founded by Jay-Z in partnership with Long Island University has brought industry professionals and events to campus. Roc Nation vp of brand and strategic partnerships Felicia Alston recently dropped in, and the most recent She Rocks Awards event featured student performances and the chance to connect with women trailblazers. Students have access to recording studio technology like Dolby Atmos, and they prepare for behind-the-scenes careers in the industry through courses focused on creating, producing and understanding the business of music. Additionally, the school’s continued relationship with JPMorgan Chase assists aspiring music executives with money management.

Los Angeles College of Music
Pasadena, Calif.

LACM recently added a new degree offering — bachelor of arts in music education — which, like all degrees at the college, adheres to the same core focus on three essential elements: craft, business and technology. Across its programs, LACM provides students with over 150 opportunities per year to learn from active music industry members through master classes, panels and field trips to companies in the greater L.A. area. Courses like New Technology Development — where students apply technologies such as AI, blockchain and crypto to create marketing assets, innovative fan engagements and revenue opportunities — are consistently updated to keep pace with the demands of an evolving industry.

The Los Angeles Film School (The Los Angeles Recording School)
Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Recording School (a division of the Los Angeles Film School) offers an online music business program shaped by industry veterans who teach the mechanics of the business including A&R development, concert and tour management and music industry marketing and is built to accommodate flexible schedules. Alumnus Anthony Vilchis, a Grammy-nominated mixing and mastering engineer with more than 600 major-label credits including Sabrina Carpenter’s Billboard 200 No. 1 Short n’ Sweet, is among frequent guest speakers. Students also regularly tour local recording studios, with recent trips including Sunset Sound, Clear Lake and The Watche, and participate in events such as the Mix Masters series and The Sound Check, as well as attend panels with industry experts in A&R, production and music licensing.

Loyola University (School of Music and Theatre Professions)
New Orleans

Through the launch of Wolf Moon Entertainment — a first-of-its-kind, university-embedded umbrella organization of seven student-run businesses — the newly renamed bachelor of science in music business integrates revenue generation, technology and design directly into the classroom at Loyola’s School of Music and Theatre Professions. Interscope Records senior director of international marketing Kendall Cousin and East/West Studios chief engineer Chaz Sexton are among graduates of the school, which recently launched the 4+1 degree partnership that provides seamless transition from undergraduate studies into its master of business administration program. Beyond local opportunities, students can participate in the London Summer Music Industry Program and newly launched Hollywood Program.

Middle Tennessee State University (Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment)
Murfreesboro, Tenn.

MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment got a significant boost this year: a new name reflecting a $15 million contribution from Big Machine Label Group founder Scott Borchetta. The school also launched several new degree offerings: a graduate master of science in legal studies/entertainment concentration, an undergraduate minor in live entertainment and a master of fine arts in film and TV (the lattermost collaborating with the master of fine artists in recording arts technologies). Students immerse themselves into the Nashville industry ecosystem and have produced live concert streams on Hulu for the Bonnaroo festival and handled sound reinforcement for concerts, athletic events and televised broadcasts on ESPN+. More than 65 guest speakers visited during the 2025-26 year, including RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier.

Monmouth University
West Long Branch, N.J.

Monmouth University’s music industry program offers a foundation in music business, performance, production, marketing, publishing, concert promotion, media relations, merchandising and talent development. On campus, students gain experience through The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, a 30,000-square-foot cultural and academic center, and through behind-the-scenes roles with the annual American Music Honors program. Through the university’s student-run label, Blue Hawk Records, they work as A&R representatives, managers, producers, marketers and artists while releasing original music and producing live events. As a collegiate chapter affiliate of Women in Music, Monmouth also reinforces industry preparation through mentorship and professional access.

New York University (Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music)
New York

The world mourned the death of the Clive Davis Institute’s namesake this year, but the school is keeping the legacy of the legendary music executive alive with its state-of-the-art Brooklyn facility that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration in several studios, performance spaces, labs and a live venue. New to the curriculum are The Business of Touring and Live Events taught by Avanthi Govender and The Business of Hip-Hop taught by Andre Howard. Off campus, students are immersed in industry experiences through internships, a mandatory study abroad program and association with the Clive Davis Institute Berlin and the NYU Global network. This year, alumna and Grammy-nominated artist and founder of Debay Sounds Maggie Rogers created a foundation and scholarship initiative to support students pursuing degrees in music production.

New York University (Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development)
New York

The Steinhardt music business program celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall and, under the new leadership of veteran professor Dr. Sam Howard-Spink, it continues to evolve with an increased focus on the global music industry, especially Asia and Latin America. Students in the bachelor of science in music business program, launched last fall, spend their first years at NYU London, where they take core introductory courses along with the course London Calling: British Music From Wardour Street to Wembley, which covers the history of British popular music. All undergraduate students spend at least one semester abroad during their four-year degree.

Northeastern University (College of Arts, Music and Design)
Boston

The Northeastern music industry program is built on a commitment to experiential learning, and its comprehensive curriculum is paired with its signature co-op program that places students in paid, six-month professional roles at major industry companies. Students have access to a university-based music synch service developed in-house called Good Dog Licensing, where they gain experience in music supervision, licensing, artist relations and synch deal-making on real projects. In the classroom, courses are ever evolving. New this year is Music and AI: Creativity, Culture, Commerce, which explores the ways AI is reshaping the music business — from songwriting tools and streaming algorithms to copyright, licensing and economic disruption.

Occidental College (John Branca Institute for Music)
Los Angeles

The past year was full of major developments at the John Branca Institute, which debuted at Occidental College in 2024, following a $5 million gift to the school from the renowned music attorney. An internship program offers 10 students the chance to explore career pathways across sectors including philanthropy, marketing, social media, data, production and management at The Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall or The Ford. New to the course roster are Music Branding and Marketing, taught by Occidental alum and Sony Music Entertainment associate director of international marketing Olivia Wilk, and Music Contracts and Financial Management. The institute also launched an initiative where assistant professor Ramona Gonzalez (aka music artist Nite Jewel) is joined by four industry experts to provide feedback on albums that students submitted for their senior project.

Oklahoma State University (Greenwood School of Music)
Stillwater, Okla.

OSU’s Greenwood School boasts two resident bands, Other Lives and Cross Canadian Ragweed, with whom students regularly engage by observing songwriting and recording sessions, tour rehearsals and management meetings. Recent in-person guests include Chris DuBois, who founded music publishing company Sea Gayle Music with Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers, and Paycom Center GM Chris Semrau. Annually, students attend the Oklahoma Film and Music Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol and visit companies like high-fidelity auto audio manufacturer Kicker. In collaboration with the Spears School of Business, music industry majors can start a master of business administration program their senior year.

Rhodes College (Mike Curb Institute for Music)
Memphis

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College centers the historically rich and artistically vibrant city of Memphis in student experiences. In addition to innovative courses, the institute’s fellowship program provides funding for students to work directly with local organizations and professionals such as Goner Records, Royal Studios, the Overton Park Shell, Music Export Memphis, the STAX Museum of American Soul Music and Grammy and Emmy winner Robert Gordon. Students can also design music-industry experiences through the college’s internship program in New York or its Arts & Language Across Spain program. Funding is also available to help support self-designed experiences tailored to each student’s unique interests.

Rowan University (College of the Arts)
Glassboro, N.J.

Classroom knowledge is tapped immediately at Rowan’s College of the Arts. Through its Artist Services course series, students operate a record label as a core part of the curriculum. Under the guidance of professors Steve Feinberg and Michael McArthur — managers who have worked with artists including Kehlani, New Constellations, Good Charlotte, My Morning Jacket and The Chicks — students sign artists, build release strategies, develop press campaigns and manage the full arc of a project. Rowan’s music industry program also developed a partnership with Live Nation, through which students gain technical insights and have the opportunity to meet with artists at venues across the nearby Philadelphia area.

State University of New York, College at Oneonta
Oneonta, N.Y.

Opportunities for students interested in nonperforming roles abound in SUNY Oneonta’s music industry program. TikTok/ByteDance music licensing counsel Carla Web, YouTube Music head of West Coast label partnerships Noah Rakoski and Interscope Records director of marketing Chelsea Dankner are among alumni of the program, which this year began organizing graduate meetups at The NAMM Show. Students attending the event in Southern California could connect with Los Angeles-based alumni. Music industry students complete a sequence of general education courses pertinent to nonperforming roles in the music business including computer, technology and communications courses and must choose at least one elective that focuses on a nonperforming area, including commerce, consumerism and concert production.

Syracuse University (Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries)
Syracuse, N.Y.

Syracuse’s Bandier Program — from which upwards of 90% of grads find music industry jobs within the first year postgraduate — brings timely executives to campus every Wednesday night with its weekly Rezak lecture series. Last year’s talks, which featured more than 40 speakers, included REPUBLIC Collective president/CEO Jeffrey Remedios, NBCUniversal president of music Mike Knoblauch and Suno chief music officer Paul Sinclair. Every year, faculty accompany a dozen students on a trip to meet with music industry leaders in key emerging markets. Recent stops included China, Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand and, this past year, India, where students met with Bollywood companies, record labels, tour promoters and management firms. Former Billboard editorial director Bill Werde is the director of the Bandier program.

Temple University (Klein College of Media and Communication)
Philadelphia

Temple’s Klein College is scheduled to open the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication in fall 2027. The building will feature a reconstruction of the historic Sigma Sound Studio 1, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. Meanwhile, courses are continually evolving. In the new Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Industries course, students explore the application of AI in creative production across sound, video and writing. Life and Work in Music City: Navigating the Entertainment Industry in Nashville includes a week of professional development workshops and meetings with industry organizations and executives in the music capital. Klein College also has a close relationship with Rock Lititz, a collaborative production campus in Pennsylvania designed for the live-entertainment industry.

Tennessee State University (Commercial Music Program)
Nashville

Located in Music City, TSU offers access to a variety of music-related organizations that provide internships and entry-level positions, as well as numerous field trips and programming/industry events including those sponsored by BMI, Grammy U, MusicBiz and SAE Institute. Music Business and Law, which examines intellectual property rights including AI, contracts, budgets and revenue generation, and Audio for Video, which delves into AI, are among popular courses for students in the Commercial Music Program. Mechancial Licensing Collective CEO Kris Ahrend and Sweetwater Sound vp of talent acquisition and human resources business partner Jordan Applegate are among recent guest speakers.

Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto

Located in downtown Toronto, TMU’s Professional Music program is designed for both artists and nonartists. Students develop expertise in music business, production, entrepreneurship, marketing, management and live events. Courses include a new offering focused on global music stardom and cultural entrepreneurship through the career of Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh. The course reflects the program’s commitment to exploring emerging trends and diverse music markets. Faculty member and Billboard Canada Power Player Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews incorporates principles about the ethical use of AI for students getting ready to work in the music industry in all of her courses. All students in the program also complete a mandatory internship.

University of California Los Angeles (Herb Alpert School of Music)
Los Angeles

The UCLA music industry program within the Herb Alpert School of Music — designed to train industry leaders rather than technicians — held its inaugural career fair in May in collaboration with recruiters from Kobalt, APG, Zeya, Universal Music Group, BMG, Boom Records, Too Lost, Sturdy Co., Primary Wave, SoundCloud, Dawbray Entertainment and Live Nation. Many classes involve field trips to local venues, studios and corporate headquarters, and the university offers two speaker series that bring industry professionals and thinkers to campus every year. EMPIRE president Tina Davis, DJ Wax Motif, Kaskade and Hillary Rodham Clinton were among recent guests. Alumni include Apple Music’s Aditi Sreenivas, TikTok’s Elena Flautor and WME’s Kelsey Kelly.

University of Colorado Denver (Music & Entertainment Industry Studies)
Denver

CU Denver’s Music & Entertainment Industry Studies program recently reengineered its curriculum to cover networking, life design, personal branding and other educational skills for effective industry career planning. Its speaker circuit is evolving, too. This year Grammy-­winning artist Bela Fleck, singer-songwriter Trevor Hall and electro-folk duo Moontricks conducted master classes. Off campus, the London Calling program enables students to spend two weeks meeting with music and entertainment professionals in the United Kingdom and a summer program in Prague places them in multiple recording/mix sessions and in front of music professionals. Recent courses include The Brand and Business of Billie Eilish, AI and the Future of Music and Women in Music.

University of Georgia (Terry College of Business)
Athens, Ga.

Faculty members at the University of Georgia’s music business program, housed in the Terry College of Business, all have significant industry experience — starting with program director David Barbe, engineer-producer for Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter and Bettye LaVette; bassist with Sugar; and owner of Chase Park Transduction Studios. The final class in the program, Emerging Issues in Music Business, focuses on current industry concerns. Recent topics included AI, the potential restructure of concert promoters and ticketing platforms and business developments and strategies for labels. The program’s two capstone classes require students to have an internship with an active music business, and summer internship options are supplemented by the Bruce Burch Summer Opportunity Fund.

University of Hartford (The Hartt School)
Hartford, Conn.

The Hartt School, the performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford for more than a century, offers degree programs in music, dance and theater. The school’s music management program graduated its first class in 1982, and the newly redesigned bachelor of arts in music management blends classroom learning with hands-on experience across both commercial music and nonprofit arts organizations. In 2022, Hartt launched the Sync Licensing Symposium with 20th Century/­Disney’s John Houlihan, BMI’s David Levin and music supervisor Marcus Barone. Beginning in 2027, students are expected to have access to a pathway to earn both a bachelor of arts and master of business administration in just four years through a collaboration with Hartford’s Barney School of Business.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, La.

Students design merchandise lines for local artists, work with sales data and settlement sheets and evaluate e-commerce platforms and merch contracts in Music Merchandise and Sales, one of many specialized ­courses that enhance the curriculum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the first public university in the state to offer degrees in Music Business and Recording Arts. The course Music Business Entrepreneurship leads up to the students’ final project — the collectively organized festival HodgePodge for which they find the venue, bands and sponsors, as well as create merch and marketing campaigns. In February, co-instructor Jonathan Shirley presented on this experiential way of teaching entrepreneurship at the national conference for entrepreneurship education organization United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

University of Memphis (Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music)
Memphis

A diversity of local partners augment the music program at the University of Memphis, where Andrew Isbell, Jeffery Jordan, Graham Rowell and Spencer Stewart formed The Band Camino in 2015. Studios Memphis Magnetic, Royal and Unapologetic, as well as Mempho Fest, Riverboat Music Festival, Memphis Record Pressing and Connect Music, offer opportunities for students interested in nonperforming roles to experience the music business within a 25-mile radius. On campus, students in the Entrepreneurship Comm Music course create a preliminary business plan for the formation of music industry-related businesses and pitch their plans to the school’s Crews Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Cordell Jackson Music Ventures Fund.

University of Miami (Frost School of Music)
Miami

Frost’s program is built for both musicians and nonmusicians and is taught by active industry professionals. Students learn in a globally connected setting, steps from major Latin music offices, while gaining hands-on experience and networking opportunities through ’Cane Records, Cat 5 Music, Frost Sounds and Grammy U, as well as campus radio, live productions and a suite of organizations. This past academic year, students traveled to The NAMM Show in January and volunteered at the MusicBiz conference in May. In the fall, Frost School of Music and The Hollywood Reporter hosted a co-­branded event in Los Angeles related to a Future of Music survey the school commissioned with Yungblud as the keynote speaker. The school recently named producer/songwriter/record executive Matt Serletic as its new dean.

University of North Alabama (David and John Briggs Family Department of Entertainment Industry)
Florence, Ala.
Alumnus John Briggs served as ASCAP’s vp of ­membership for more than two decades. His ­brother David Briggs was a world-renowned musician, arranger, studio owner and publisher whose career included touring and recording with Elvis Presley. In 2025, a transformative gift from the Briggs family led to the renaming of the university’s entertainment industry department, which co-houses the Shoals Music Archive and was recognized this year with a permanent exhibit by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Offered as a course, Singing River Records is the program’s student-run record label through which students work alongside faculty mentors to manage operations including A&R, marketing, promotion, publicity, distribution, licensing and accounting.

University of North Texas (College of Music)
Denton, Texas

At the undergraduate level, UNT’s music business track is available within the bachelor in commercial music. The university also offers a fully online MBA in Music Business. During the past four years, the music business program has hosted the Recording Academy/­Grammy U Industry Insights twice. The event allows students, in both college and high school, to connect with Grammy creatives and industry professionals including Norma Duran, who has worked with multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winners and is the founder of public relations firm Xima Promotions, which has worked with major and independent record labels and upcoming unsigned artists.

University of Rochester (Eastman School of Music)
Rochester, N.Y.

Housed in the prestigious Eastman School of Music, the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media includes a master of music, contemporary media and film composition through which students compose and produce music and collaborate on cross-disciplinary and multimedia projects. New to the program is the bachelor in music creation and technology degree, led by alumnus Dennis DeSantis, who previously headed music learning at music software company Ableton. Courses in that discipline include The Studio As an Instrument and Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers. Students can also earn a master in music leadership, focused on arts administration, musical development and leadership development. The school also features a robust internship program and an opportunity for students to travel to Los Angeles during spring break.

University of Southern California (Thornton School of Music)
Los Angeles

Recording Academy senior executive director Qiana Conley and Bobby Campbell, who manages Lady Gaga, are among graduates of USC Thornton’s music industry program, which features a curriculum that spans artist management, music law, marketing, publishing, touring, music supervision, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. The annual Music Mentorship Program connects music majors with industry professionals, and USC Thornton’s new Stockholm Maymester — coordinated by professor Amy Blackman and partially supported this year by ABBA’s Benny Andersson — connects students with global industry leaders through a two-week experience overseas. Music TV producer Suzanne de Passe, members of Shawn Mendes’ team and the late industry veteran Clive Davis were among speakers on campus this year, while former Epic Records chairwoman Sylvia Rhone was Thornton’s 2026 commencement speaker.

University of South Carolina (School of Music)
Columbia, S.C.

Established five years ago, the University of South Carolina’s music industry studies program combines interdisciplinary coursework with extensive real-world experience. Through opportunities such as Greene Street Records, Live @ The Underground and industry partnerships, students graduate with practical experience, professional connections and the skills to succeed in today’s music industry. The annual Women in Music Conference brings leaders to campus for two days of panels, networking and career development. This year’s iteration included Monique Runnels (Ticketmaster), Cameron Boone (Live Nation) and Malaika Alvaro (ASCAP). Through a partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents, students can also work at major music festivals across the country.

William Paterson University (Music and Entertainment Industries Program)
Wayne, N.J.

Sony manager of the Cross-Label team Joelle ­Filippi, Atlantic Records director of sales and streaming Kaitlyn Sperduto and Atlantic Records director of global marketing Geneva Gamblin are alumni of the Music and Entertainment Industries Program at William Paterson University, where courses evolve with industry trends. Popular class Personal Management in the Music and Entertainment Industry explores topics from the evolution of social media and inclusion of AI to the lessening impact of major labels and rise of artist independence. Off campus, students participate in events connected with Grammy U, New York Music Week, Assistants Vs Agents and the jump.global VOLUMES summit.