When studying music at the undergraduate level, there are a lot of majors to consider — music history, music education, music theory, and music business are just a few.
But did you know that you can earn an online bachelor’s degree program in one more of these areas of music? Online degrees in music allow you to study from home and many are cost-friendly.
Keep reading to find out which schools offer affordable online music degree programs.
List of Affordable Music Degrees Online
This list highlights some of the top schools offering affordable online music degree programs.
1. Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Music that helps students develop their creativity and synthesizing abilities so they’re ready for graduate programs or careers in music.
The program is offered online and also includes an optional online certificate in Music Composition.
Enrollees explore world music, music history, jazz, rock, aural skills, and more.
The cost of this program is $187.80 per credit hour for residents and $560.39 per credit hour for non-residents.
2. Valley City State University
At Valley City State University, students can enroll in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Music program with a General Studies concentration.
This flexible online program is designed to accommodate students with busy schedules.
To gain admission, students must audition. This can be accomplished on the campus or via video.
North Dakota residents who take 15 credit hours online pay $8953.56 in tuition for the academic year, while non-residents pay a rate that varies by state.
3. University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta is home to the online Bachelor of Music in Contemporary and Popular Music.
This 121-credit program allows students to study music education, sonic arts, performance, audio recording, and much more.
Students can choose from General, Music Technology, and Music Education concentrations to customize their degree.
The tuition rate for Maine residents enrolled in this program is $252 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $683 per credit hour.
4. Oregon State University
The Contemporary Music Industry online degree from Oregon State University is available as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.
Students enrolled in this program learn all about the entertainment industry, media, and modern music practices with an emphasis on classical and jazz.
The goal of the program is to prepare students to impact the direction of contemporary music as well as commercial practices.
Tuition for this four-year program is $350 per credit.
5. Berklee College of Music
Berklee Online, which delivers Berklee College of Music curriculum, offers various online Bachelor of Arts degrees for students interested in careers in the music industry.
Students can choose to earn their BA in Music Production, Guitar, Songwriting, Piano Performance, Electronic Music Production and Sound Design, or one of several other areas of study.
Tuition for most online majors is $1,545 per course. Full-time students can complete the programs in just three years.
6. Kennesaw State University
Students attending Kennesaw State University can enroll in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education. This program is available in three formats: online, face-to-face, or hybrid.
The goal of this professional degree is to prepare students for music education careers. Upon completion and after testing, students receive a Georgia teaching license to educate students in grades K-12.
The program consists of 126 total hours and takes four years to complete. Tuition is $185.40 per credit hour.
7. Virginia Wesleyan University
At Virginia Wesleyan University, students interested in learning what it takes to produce quality music can enroll in the online Bachelor of Arts in Music Production program.
Students enrolled in this program explore the piano, musicianship, music history, and digital music with courses like Sound Recording, Keyboard Harmony I, and Introduction to Music Technology.
The program can be completed in as little as 12 months and costs $399 per credit hour.
8. Baptist College of Florida
The Baptist College of Florida is home to three online bachelor’s degrees in Music and Worship.
Available bachelor’s degrees include:
- the Bachelor of Music Education degree helps students gain licensure to teach music in public K-12 schools in Florida.
- the Bachelor of Arts in Music teaches students to read music and take part in voice or instrument performance.
- the Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership prepares students to pursue church music/worship ministry.
Tuition for these programs is $420 per credit hour.
9. Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University offers three online Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in music.
These degree programs include:
- the BFA in Music Production provides an overview of music production software, editing, mixing, recording, and more.
- the BFA in Music Scoring prepares students to compose and score music for film, TV, games, and other visual media.
- the BFA in Sound Design examines the soundtrack creation process and the latest in digital audio workstation workflows.
Tuition is $1,126 per unit with 3 units per class.
10. Liberty University
Liberty University delivers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Commercial Music that explores recording engineering, music technology, music production, performance, and more.
Other topics include tonal center referencing, conducting, improvisational techniques, commercial music entrepreneurship, songwriting, and film scoring.
Students who complete the program are ready for careers as music arrangers, sound engineers, music producers, commercial music teachers, and more.
The cost of earning this degree is $390 per credit hour.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Music Cost?
The field of music is vast — and so are the options in online music degree programs. As a result, the price you will pay to earn your degree is not set in stone.
Some programs charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Others could charge based on the number of credits a student takes per semester.
You might even see different tuition costs for online and on-campus programs.
Generally, tuition for music bachelor’s degree programs starts at less than $200 per credit hour.
But don’t just look for the most affordable online music degree. Be sure to find a program that matches your budget and your academic and career goals.
How To Make an Online Music Degree Affordable
Even after finding an affordable online music degree program, it’s a good idea to continue searching for ways to reduce your tuition costs.
Scholarships are a great place to start. Visit the National Association for Music Education website and check with your school of choice for music scholarships.
Federal grants like the FSEOG and Pell can also make your music degree more affordable. Student loans help, as well; but keep in mind that they must be repaid.
Students who work while enrolled in school might qualify for tuition reimbursement. Through these programs, employers reimburse a portion or all of their workers’ tuition costs.
If you are a veteran or active military member, you could reduce tuition costs via the GI Bill, military grants and scholarships, and school tuition reduction programs.
Is an Online Music Degree Worth It?
Earning an online degree is a great choice for busy students looking for flexible scheduling — just be sure that the music program you choose is accredited.
If you’re concerned about the cost of earning a degree, it’s good to know that there are several affordable online music degrees available across the nation.
After earning your degree, great career prospects are waiting.
Music industry jobs include record engineering, artist management, music composition, music education, and working as a musician or singer.
Find an Affordable Degree in Music Online Today
Earning a bachelor’s degree in music can jumpstart an amazing career in a variety of fields. Browse affordable online music degree programs today and pick the program that aligns with your academic and career goals.
