Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Recording artist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a recording artist. Recording artists usually study music, business, or communication. 63% of recording artists hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,076 real recording artist resumes to see exactly what recording artist education sections show.
The most common colleges for recording artists are the Berklee College of Music and the Berklee College of Music.
There are also many online recording artist courses to help get the education required to be a recording artist.
What education do you need to become a recording artist?
What degree do you need to be a recording artist?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Associate, 14%
- High School Diploma, 11%
- Master's, 7%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a recording artist?
- Music, 22%
- Business, 12%
- Communication, 8%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for recording artists
| Recording artist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music | 15.38% |
| Full Sail University | 11.54% |
| Belmont University | 8.65% |
| New York University | 6.73% |
| Howard University | 5.77% |
Best majors for recording artists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music | 22.3% |
| 2 | Business | 12.4% |
| 3 | Communication | 8.0% |
| 4 | Entertainment Business | 6.5% |
| 5 | General Education, Specific Areas | 5.0% |
Best colleges for recording artists
The best colleges for recording artists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A recording artist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for recording artists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become recording artists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for recording artists
Advertising disclosure
1. Music Production
This Specialization will give you the knowledge and tools you need to record and produce professional sounding music. You will begin by developing your identity, vision, and intention as an artist and producer. Next, you will learn the technical aspects of music production, including how sound is translated into audio signals, recording techniques, and effects such as reverb, delay, and compression. You will also learn how to use the industry standard Digital Audio Workstation, Pro Tools, to...
2. Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live
Learn Music Production, Recording, Editing, Music Mixing, Songwriting + Music Theory in this Ableton Live 11 Course...
3. Recording Your Own Music: A Step-By-Step Guide for Musicians
Learn how to record, edit and mix your own songs at home in this comprehensive beginner-friendly music production course...
4. Artist Management for the Music Business
The Roadmap to Managing Your Own Music Career or Becoming a Professional Manager...
5. Complete Audio Production Course: Record Better Audio
Learn how to record, edit & mix professional audio for video production, podcasting, music, course creation, You Tube +...
6. Music Production in Ableton Live 10 - The Complete Course!
Learn Music Production in Ableton Live 10 Today and Understand how to Create, Record and Edit Your Own Music + Live Sets...
7. Songwriting & Music Production In GarageBand- A Total Guide!
Learn how to use the powerful tools that Garage Band offers for creative songwriting and high quality music production!...
8. Film, TV, & Video Game Music Composition + Production Basics
#1 Music Composition, Production, Technology, & Business Course...
9. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
10. Garageband for Songwriting and Music Production
Become a master at using Garage Band. Learn how to Compose, Edit, Mix and Master your music with real life examples...
11. Music Production in Ableton Live 9 - The Complete Course!
Join Successful students in this Music Production course for Creating, Recording + Performing Music with Ableton Live 9...
12. Learn Music Production Essentials
Learn how to Record, Edit, Mix and Master your Tracks into a Professional Music Production...
13. Make YouTube Without Showing Your Face or Recording Videos
How to Create a You Tube Channel & Make Money on You Tube Without Recording Your Own Videos or Showing Your Face!...
14. Screen Recording - How to Record & Create Tutorial Videos
Screen recording, webcam recording & video editing! How to make videos, video tutorials, promo videos or online courses!...
15. Electronic Music Production with Ableton Live
The Complete Course - Create Full Tracks in No Time!...
16. Songwriting 101- Composition, Lyrics + Music Production
Learn the Essentials of Songwriting, Music Composition, Writing Lyrics and Music Production in Different Genres Today...
17. Songwriting in Logic Pro X for Electronic Music Production
Join Successful students in Songwriting, Composing, Arranging + Music Production for Electronic Producers in Logic Pro X...
18. Music Production I - Learn to be a Music Producer!
Learn how to become a recording/music production engineer with little to no knowledge! Record music like a pro!...
19. FL Studio - Music Production + Mixing Music -Complete Course
Learn Music Production in FL Studio for Mac + PC for Recording, Editing, Composing, Mixing and Mastering in FL Studio...
20. Ableton Live 11 Masterclass: Complete Music Production Guide
Complete Guide To: Music Production, Music Mixing, Electronic Music, Sound Design, Audio Engineering / Production...
Top 10 most affordable universities for recording artists
The most affordable schools for recording artists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for recording artists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for recording artists.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for recording artists
The hardest universities for recording artists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for recording artists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for recording artists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for recording artists
The easiest schools for recording artists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a recording artist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for recording artists.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
9. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average recording artist salary by education level
| Recording artist education level | Recording artist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $63,755 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $48,798 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $50,614 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $56,550 |
Recording artist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for recording artist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025