Behind the Curtain: Top Music Industry Major Colleges

I'm passionate about the music industry and want to major in it. Hence, I need some help locating the top colleges for this major. If anyone could also provide information on what makes their Music Industry programs unique, it would be super helpful!

There are many colleges that offer strong music industry programs, so here's a breakdown of a few notable ones:

1. Belmont University: Located in Nashville, the heart of the music industry in the South, Belmont has an excellent music business program. The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business integrates the business side of the industry with creative development. They offer internships through their Belmont East (New York City) and Belmont West (Los Angeles) programs.

2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): The Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA offers a Music Industry minor program that emphasizes the creative, managerial, and legal aspects of the music industry. It's a great choice especially if you're interested in mixing a broad liberal arts education with specialized knowledge in the music industry.

3. New York University (NYU): NYU's program stands out because of its location in one of the top cities for the music industry. Their Clive Davis Institute provides students classes on the creation, performance, and business of recorded music. A unique aspect of this program is the emphasis they put on entrepreneurship in the music industry.

4. University of Southern California (USC): USC's Thornton School of Music offers a Music Industry program that combines the study of business structures and music coursework. USC's location in Los Angeles offers plenty of internship opportunities in the music industry.

5. Northeastern University: Their Music Industry Leadership program prepares undergraduates for various leadership roles within the evolving global music industries. Northeastern is known for their strong co-op program, which would allow you to gain valuable work experience in the industry while still in college.

Remember that the best music industry programs not only offer good coursework but also plenty of internships, networking events, and hands-on experiences to prepare you for a real-world career in the field. So, when you're considering schools, make sure you look at opportunities for practical experience as well as the strength of the faculty and the coursework.