Commentary: Making it in music is tough. A four-year degree in music can offer advantages.

It’s a classic American story: Someone moves to the big city with nothing to their name but a dream. Maybe, with good timing and some luck, they can turn that dream into something tangible. Social media appears to have made finding stardom and success in the music business as easy as posting some TikTok videos. The reality, though, is that it’s difficult to go viral online, and it’s even harder to leverage a few million views on a catchy song into a lasting career.

Navigating the music business can be challenging. A recording industry degree can make it easier to build a sustainable career by providing connections, skills and credibility. The same is true for any competitive industry.

Students at Middle Tennessee State University enroll in our degree programs because they understand that, if they want to be successful in the music industry, they need a solid foundation. Whether a student wants to be the musician on stage, the person who wrote the song, the audio engineer behind the scenes, the business executive who planned the tour or the entertainment journalist covering the performer, there’s a degree program at MTSU that can give them the formal training, credibility and networking opportunities to help make it happen.

Raw talent and intellect are crucial, but they aren’t everything. When a student pursues a four-year degree in music, they’re in for four years of rigorous training under the guidance of professionals. That’s invaluable time spent honing technical skills, learning the craft of making, marketing and protecting music, and earning a well-rounded education. The opportunity to work in world-class facilities and get hands-on experience with industry leaders and state-of-the-art technology and practices also makes great resume fodder.

A four-year degree from a university like MTSU – which consistently ranks as one of Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools – builds credibility. It shows that someone is disciplined and committed to the work. And that can make all the difference when trying to book an audition or land a job interview.

Students also build important connections while earning a degree. From talented faculty members with ties to the industry to like-minded peers pursuing similar paths, to a network of alumni doing the exact thing they want to do, college is the ultimate networking opportunity. Students will also learn about the business that makes the music happen – and understanding how to navigate the business side of the industry can be critical to building a successful career. Another plus? The cost to graduate from a four-year public university like MTSU is often lower than that of private schools with similar programs.

For someone who dreams of making it big in the music industry, a degree puts them at an advantage. But no matter what the future holds, studying the recording industry improves creativity, teaches discipline and cultivates many other skills a person needs to succeed in any career. Not to mention that, according to the APLU, bachelor’s degree holders earn 84% more annually than people with only high school diplomas.

Fifteen minutes of social media fame can feel great. What feels better? A degree – and the knowledge, skills and network that come with it – that last a lifetime.

Considering cost, quality of faculty and facilities, and course offerings, MTSU represents one of the best values for a four-year degree in 10-plus music or music-related programs. 

MTSU is part of Four the Future, a statewide initiative to showcase the value of a four-year degree for Tennesseans. Learn more at fourthefuturetn.com.