7 Best Online Music Schools: Top Picks for Aspiring Musicians

Key Takeaways:

• These seven schools offer online music degrees spanning performance, production, business, and education, so you can build a path that matches your goals.
• Estimated total costs range from around $38,500 to $63,000, giving you options across a range of budgets.
• Most schools require little more than a high school diploma or audition materials to apply, making them accessible to career changers and recent grads alike.

Choosing an online music school can feel overwhelming when every option claims to be the best fit for your goals. If you’re trying to sort through tuition and program format on your own, without knowing which accreditation actually matters, that stress is completely normal. GetEducated has spent years helping students compare accredited online music programs so you don’t have to guess. Below, you’ll find seven schools worth a closer look this year.

Top Online Music Schools Worth Considering

These seven schools cover performance, production, business, and education tracks, so there’s something here whether you want to perform, write, teach, or manage the business side of music. With estimated total costs ranging from around $38,500 to just over $63,000, these picks cover a wide range of budgets. If you’d rather browse the full field before narrowing down, GetEducated’s online bachelor’s degrees in music directory is a good place to start.

1. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music that blends performance training with courses in music business and technology, preparing you for work as a session musician, songwriter, or studio professional. The program leans heavily on modern genres rather than classical repertoire.

• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

GCU’s flexible evening course structure makes this a solid option for working adults. Check the tuition and fee schedule for current pricing before you apply.

Find Out More

2. Valley City State University

Valley City State University offers a dual-track Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Music, allowing you to choose between a BA focused on liberal arts breadth and a BS with a stronger emphasis on music theory and applied performance. Both tracks include private lessons and ensemble participation delivered through a hybrid format.

• Format: Online with some in-person requirements
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Because it’s one of the more affordable schools on this list, it’s worth a serious look if cost is a top priority. Full pricing details are available on the VCSU business office tuition page.

Find Out More

3. Batten University

Batten’s digital music program focuses on composition and production using industry-standard software, with coursework in sound design as well, making it a strong fit if your interest leans more toward the studio than the stage.

• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Students who want a production-heavy curriculum without relocating tend to do well here. Review the school’s tuition and affordability page for a full cost breakdown.

Find Out More

4. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Music with the option to specialize in music production, plus a separate Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Data Analysis with a music business concentration. That range lets you lean toward performance, studio work, or the business side without switching schools if your interests shift partway through.

• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Liberty’s asynchronous course format is convenient for students juggling work or family commitments. If the business route appeals to you, it’s worth comparing against a general online business degree with an industry specialization, too. See Liberty’s online tuition and fees page for current rates across all three tracks.

Find Out More

5. Calvary University

Calvary University’s Bachelor of Music in Music Performance & Pedagogy trains students for both performance and teaching careers, covering applied instruction, conducting basics, and pedagogy alongside traditional music theory. It suits students who want the option to teach private lessons or direct ensembles down the road.

• Format: Online with some in-person requirements
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The dual performance and teaching focus makes this degree more versatile than a straight performance track. Tuition details are outlined in Calvary’s university catalog.

Find Out More

6. Baptist University of Florida

Baptist University of Florida’s Bachelor of Music Education is built for students planning to teach music in K through 12 schools, combining applied music study with education coursework and practicum experience. It leads toward teacher certification requirements in most states.

• Format: Online with some in-person requirements
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

If you eventually want to move into school leadership or higher education teaching, this ranking of online master’s in music education programs can help you plan your next step after this degree. Tuition information is available on BUF’s tuition and fees page.

Find Out More

7. Full Sail University

Full Sail University offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Business, covering artist management, publishing, licensing, and the legal side of the industry, alongside a separate Bachelor of Science in Music Production that puts you in a virtual studio environment to learn recording, mixing, and mastering. Faculty bring direct entertainment industry experience to both tracks, and coursework leans practical throughout.

• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: High school diploma or GED
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Full Sail’s accelerated course schedule can shorten your time to graduation compared to a traditional semester system. If you want to compare the production track against other options, this online music production degree resource breaks down several alternatives. Full pricing for both tracks is listed in Full Sail’s course catalog.

Find Out More

Best Online Music Schools FAQs

Here are answers to common questions students ask when researching online music schools.

What can I do with an online music degree?

Graduates move into performance, teaching, audio production, artist management, and music business roles, depending on which track they choose. Some go on to freelance work, while others join schools, studios, or record labels directly after graduation.

How much can musicians and music professionals earn?

Pay varies widely by role and experience level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median hourly wage of $42.45 for musicians and singers in 2024, while music directors and composers earned a median annual wage of $63,670 that same year. You can explore more career and salary breakdowns for music professionals if earning potential is a major factor in your decision.

Can I become a music producer with an online degree?

Yes. Several schools on this list, including Full Sail and Liberty, offer production-focused tracks. If you want a deeper breakdown of the career path itself, this guide on how to become a music producer walks through typical education and experience requirements.

Is it possible to earn a doctorate in music online?

It’s less common than bachelor’s or master’s options, but a small number of accredited schools offer online doctoral tracks, usually in music education or conducting. This guide to online doctorate programs in music education covers what’s currently available.

Do employers respect online music schools?

Accreditation matters more than delivery format. Look for schools with regional accreditation from a recognized body such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or the Higher Learning Commission, both of which are represented among the schools above.

Start Your Online Music School Search Today

Whether you’re drawn to performance, production, or the business side of the industry, the schools above give you a realistic starting point for comparing cost and curriculum side by side. When you’re ready to broaden your search, GetEducated’s directory of online music degrees lets you filter by degree level and specialty to find additional options beyond this list.