What does an Audio Engineer do?
The term “Audio Engineer” is a really broad term for any person who works in the audio field. This can range from recording engineers, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, live sound engineer, post audio engineer, and many, many other roles throughout the music, television, and film industries.
If you have a love for music or creating sounds for productions, audio engineering may be an awesome career for you.
Is education important for Audio Engineering?
People enter the audio industry from all walks of life having learned their skills from schools, on the job experience, and apprenticeships.
Any of these can work, but most people looking to break into the the industry and learn from scratch will pursue education to guarantee their skill set is robust and can compete at the industry standard.
However you learn your skills it is important to be very proficient. Getting an education in audio engineering can help with this.
What is required to work in Audio Engineering?
Unlike some more formalized professions (doctors, structural engineers, lawyers, etc.) there are no strict requirements for working in the audio industry.
What is most important is that you have a track record of impressive work and have an excellent knowledge of the sounds and tools you’ll be working with on a regular basis.
You might ask why school would even be needed to work in the audio industry. And that’s a good question to ask! While a degree, certification, or accreditation might not matter to a future employer it can still be a litmus test for your ability to learn and proof, alongside your skill set, that you are a proficient and well rounded audio engineer.
How to Choose an Audio Engineering School
When choosing an audio school there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Where do you want to attend school?
How much is tuition?
Where do you want to work and where is that in proximity to the school you want to go to?
What certification do you get upon graduation?
What opportunities are provided to students?
Schools
Here is a list of the top audio schools in the United States. Each has their own specialities or something they’re known for. Along with that comes different geographical locations and a wide range in costs for those looking to attend. Use this list to see what might be a good fit for you.
Berklee College of Music
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Programs: Music Production and Engineering and Independent Recording and Production
Duration: 4-year program
Tuition: ~$78,000
Berklee College of Music is a renowned music school that boasts some very impressive alumni including John Mayor, Esperanza Spalding, Quincy Jones, Aimee Mann, St. Vincent, and many, many more.
Their stellar reputation is no different for the audio branch of the school. They offer two programs: a Bachelor of Music in Music Production and Engineering and a Bachelor of Music in Independent Recording and Production.
The Music Production and Engineering degree is the most standard of the degrees and prepares you for audio jobs throughout the industry. With world class studios and a pool of talent, students can expect top tier facilities and talent to match as they learn how to record.
The Independent Recording and Production degree focuses more on solo artists who want to gain the skills they need to stand out in the industry while maintaining control and knowledge of the entire recording and production process. Along with the main music curriculum included in Berklee’s other degree offerings, your artistry will be a focus while training you to become an audio engineer.
Berklee’s roots are that of strong musicianship and, as these degrees are both Bachelors of Music, you should expect to spend time honing your musicianship on top of learning audio engineering.
Mastering.com
Location: Anywhere
Programs: The Reverse Engineer
Duration: 1 year program
Tuition: ~$7,800
Mastering.com offers a comprehensive 1-year program that will have you mastering, mixing, and recording at a professional level in one year.
The Reverse Engineer takes a unique approach to the audio education method by starting with mastering first. Mastering gives you essential audio skills that inform your ability to mix properly. Once you understand the relationship between mastering and mixing, producing makes even more sense and you can begin creating music with the end in mind.
The other benefit of Mastering.com is that it is completely remote and can be done from anywhere you have a computer at your own pace. You’ll have access to direct daily mentorship and plenty of opportunities for feedback on course assignments and personal projects. The cost of The Reverse Engineer is also a fraction of the cost of many other programs.
This method of teaching is very different from any other school and many students have had success very quickly, working with signed artists, being hired in studios/live venues, or creating a successful audio engineering business with their own clients.
If this unique approach to audio education resonates with you, this might be a great option!
The Los Angeles Recording School
Location: Hollywood, California
Programs: Associate and Bachelor of Science in Audio Production and Associate of Science in Music Production
Duration: 1.5 years – 3 Years
Tuition: ~$34,000-$74,000
The Los Angeles Recording School is a branch of the Los Angeles Film School, another renowned college with multiple Academy Award Winning Alumni.
The programs offered at this have a shorter turnaround time from starting to graduation which might be enticing if you’re wanting to work fast.
The Audio Productions Degree focuses on all aspects of modern audio engineering from music to the film/TV industry, podcasts, and radio. This degree is great if you want the largest breadth of experience and education to keep your options open for many jobs in the audio field. The degree also offers an associate degree so you can go to school to learn the basics and stop there or continue on to a bachelor’s degree.
On the other hand the Music Production Degree is for anyone who is already a music or knows they want to specialize in music.
This program does a deep dive into all things music production like recording, mixing, and mastering to allow you to record your own music at a high level or take your skills to other musicians and record their music.
Atlanta Institute of Music (AIMM)
Location: Duluth, Georgia
Programs: Music Production and Audio for Media, Music and Technology Associate Degree
Duration: 1-2 years
Tuition: ~$40,000
The Atlanta Institute of Music offers a really competitive option with more affordable tuition and an expedited schedule for completion.
The programs offered here are shorter and less intensive Associate degree programs, but don’t let them dissuade you from considering them as an option. They have a ton to offer in the way of experience and facilities.
The school boasts dedicated classrooms, state of the art recording studios, private practice/study rooms, performance venues, among other facilities.
The two certifications you can earn at the school fall in line with many of the other focuses at other schools on the list. MusicProduction and Audio for Media caters to anyone wanting to get a robust and well-rounded education on audio and the Music and Technology degree is for someone who is a musician already and wants to bolster their audio skills or someone who knows they want to focus on music.
Either way, AIMM has a very compelling offer to someone looking to get in and out quick while getting a good education and getting the experience of industry standard facilities and education.
Full Sail University
Location: Winter Park, Florida
Programs: Multiple Associate and Bachelor programs
Duration: 1.5 years
Tuition: ~$86,000
A juggernaut in the audio education field, Full Sail University is unique for offering a host of audio and audio related degrees. They are also an accelerated program meaning school work is done full time allowing you to complete a Bachelor degree in just a year and half.
Full Sail is one of the most popular audio schools in the country and many students have gone on to have successful award winning careers including more than 45 Full Sail grads being nominated for various projects in the 2024 Grammys..
This school offers some of the most wide ranging focus of study that span between Associate and Bachelor programs so you can decide what you need from your education and start your career as you see fit.
The main audio degrees offered are Audio Arts Bachelor of Science degrees with a particular emphasis on either, Music Production, Recording Arts Production, and show production.
In addition to these they offer a Business Bachelor of Science with emphasis in Music Business which is a fairly unique degree compared to others on this list for people who love audio but may want to learn and work in the business side of the industry.
With their robust degree offerings and a track record of student success, Full Sail might be a good choice for you.
University of Silicon Valley
Location: Alameda, California
Programs: Bachelor of Science in Digital Audio Technology
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$113,380
The University of Silicon Valley is located in the heart of the California tech hub and offers a comprehensive degree program focused on modern digital audio.
Along with their Bachelor offering they also offer certificate programs covering recording, audio and music production, and electronic production for those looking at a quicker education or a way to test the waters and decide if they want to continue with audio engineering.
USV focuses on the most up to date digital audio techniques for use across the audio industry from music to content used in the most popular sector in the area, technology companies.
They emphasize collaboration with students in their state of the art campus and boast a network of grads who now work for Apple, Microsoft, Google, Dolby Digital, and many others.
Between their laser focus on their single bachelor program and their proximity to the Bay Area tech hub, this could be a great option for someone looking to expand their audio skills in that industry.
Academy of Art University
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Music Production, Sound Design
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$32,000 per academic year
The Academy of Art University is a well known school for its visual art programs and notable alumni in the visual, film, and television industries. With this unique outlook on the industry, this school offers an interesting focus on audio for visual media with their two degree programs.
Their Music Production program focuses on the tenants of audio engineering with audio recording, editing, and music production. Included in this is access to, and collaboration with, students in the schools film, animation, and game programs to further your skills and education for working in those particular fields.
In addition to the above degree, they also offer a Sound Design degree that really centers on audio and music creation for on screen storytelling. This is a really unique degree that is perfect for someone who knows their passion is audio in films, TV, or games.
You’ll learn about cinematic storytelling, sound for film, sound design/synthesis, and sound for games. All of these studies will help you in your effort to be a storyteller through sound.
If you’re someone who loves visual storytelling and audio this might be the place for you.
SAE Institute
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Main Degree), Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Miami, (many others worldwide)
Programs: Audio Bachelor of Applied Science, Various Diplomas
Duration: 2.5 years for Bachelor, 1 year for diploma
Tuition: ~$34,000 (Bachelor program)
SAE Institute is another powerhouse in the audio education industry with 52 campuses across the world, five in the United States.
Like some of the other options, you have your choice between a full bachelor degree or a shorter and more focused diploma or certificate. The Audio Bachelor of Applied Science is their main degree focusing on audio in the recording studio realm. You’ll focus on all of the skills you’ll need to make it in an industry standard studio using the facilities on campus.
SAE Institute also offers non-degree diploma programs that are shorter in length and more cost effective. These are a great option if you aren’t interested in getting a full degree or would like to get some audio education without breaking the bank.
In addition to these diploma programs being available at more campuses they also offer a diploma taught in the Spanish language at their Miami location allowing students who want to learn in a familiar environment.
With its broad presence across the country and world and its varied programs students have a ton of options when looking at this school.
Peabody Institute John Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Programs: Bachelor of Music in Recording Arts and Sciences
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$65,000 a year
The Peabody Conservatory is one of the most renowned and celebrated conservatories of arts in the entire United States. Founded in 1857 it has a long history of excellence in the arts of music and dance.
By 1983 the Peabody Conservatory and Johns Hopkins University teamed up to create what they considered “the finest training program of it’s type” in the U.S.
The degree is a very comprehensive double major program that includes the requirements and performance of the Bachelor of Music along with specific courses for the recording arts. These courses include deep dives into recording, electrical engineering, math, science, and computer courses.
On top of that, students get real world experience by being employed as staff engineers in the school’s professional studios and joining an internship program after the third year of study. Some of these internship opportunities include major studios, NPR, acoustic engineering firms, and more.
As you can see, this degree is for the best of the best who want to go beyond the standard audio engineer education. If you have a passion for a holistic degree that involves honing your musical skills, audio engineering, and your technical/scientific knowledge of audio, you would be well served here.
Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Programs: Bachelor of Science in Music and Technology
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$85,000 a year
Carnegie Mellon’s music tech program is one of the “younger” programs in this list having only been offered since 2009. The school’s music, computer and electrical engineering school came together to create a modern course that combined the two most important aspects of audio engineering.
Upon acceptance you can choose from a variety of focuses including recording tech, audio engineering, composition, performance, or music theory. The idea here is that you can hone in on your speciality and foster it alongside audio to become a well rounded professional once you graduate.
Because this degree is a music degree you are expected to finish off your degree with a final project related to your studies. That can be a performance, project, or design of some sort.
This degree really focuses on three main areas of study equally. Music, electrical engineering, and computer science. It’s important to be passionate and interested about all three of these topics to succeed here.
With that said, if you are driven and have an interest in learning the why and how’s of audio technology, this degree is a great option.
Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Programs: Music Industry Degree
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$83,000 a year
Drexel University has one of the most unique offerings on this list with its Music Industry Degree. The program combines music education, music industry practices and music tech career prep.
In addition to this, you can select one of two concentrations: Music Industry Business and recordings Arts or Music Production. This gives you the option to specialize in whatever field you’re most interested in. You’ll find many great amenities for hands-on recording experience along with close mentoring for your music and business studies.
While this degree is perhaps less strictly focused on audio engineering, it contains skills and knowledge that would assist any aspiring musician looking to get into the music industry with a large breadth of knowledge and experience.
Speaking of experience, Drexel is known for their unique co-op system where students can get up to eighteen months of work (paid!) in the relevant field they’re majoring in. This is a huge advantage to someone who wants to meet and network with industry professionals.
Middle Tennessee State University
Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Programs: Audio Production, B.S.
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$26,000 – ~$46,000 (depending on residence)
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a very popular state college for a variety of majors. It boasts relatively affordable tuition for in and out of state students with many scholarship opportunities.
MTSU has also hosted their share of successful musicians who went on to have huge careers such as Julien Baker, Sharon Van Etten, Lecrae, Amy Lee, and Hillary Scott.
The Audio Production degree is where interested audio engineers will want to have a look. This degree is a four year program and offers access to an impressive suite of studios, labs, a live sound “cafe”, and a multitude of gear like consoles, outboard processors, and software. The facilities here will give you full access to unlock your creative skill and potential.
MTSU’s audio program is known for their unique elective choices. These range from the Physics of Music, Sound Reinforcement, Live Event Production, Practices for DIY Recording Artist, Sound for Picture and many, many others. The range of electives will give a chance to get a taste of a variety of fields and perhaps even help you zero in on what you’d like to specialize in for your career.
Belmont University
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Programs: Audio Engineering Technology, BA/BS
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$60,000 (first year)
Located in the heart of Music City, Belmont offers one of the best and most sought after audio degrees in the industry. Recently ranked in the top 10 by Billboard magazine, this school is one to look at for its high regard and proximity to one of the largest music hubs in the country.
Like many of the other degrees listed here you’ll learn everything you need to know about audio. But Belmonts’s degrees take that step further with classes covering many facets of the performance and production space such as lighting, music business, electronics maintenance, and sound design for picture.
On top of that Belmont operates and owns multiple premium recording studios on campus and in Nashville (Oceanway Studios) so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience and be immersed in the world of studio recording.
On top of all that, the school has a massive music major population studying all sorts of majors so the opportunity to collaborate and network with other up and coming musicians is high. Combine all of this with its location and this is a premium location for getting into the audio industry,
NYU Steinhardt
Location: New York City, New York
Programs: Bachelor of Music in Music Technology
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$50,000 a year
NYU is one of the most renowned colleges in the United States and it’s performing arts/music programs are no different. With alumni such as Donald Glover, Alan Menken, and Lady Gaga, it’s no wonder this school is a top choice for many musicians and audio engineers.
Since this degree is a Bachelor of Music, you can expect a robust education covering music theory and performance as well as your regular general education courses.
When it comes to the audio side of things, you’ll cover topics like electronics, studio production, and even learn about synthesis for composition. This degree is a truly well rounded program with a huge span of topics and educational opportunities.
In addition to these classes, you’ll have a semester studying abroad. This can be a great wat to get some experience traveling and applying your skills and studies in a really cool place.
Lastly, NYU offers a robust internship program with the opportunity to gain real work experience in the hallowed halls of Sony Music, Radio City Music Hall and the Met Opera. NYU claims that these internship opportunities have frequently led to employment opportunities after graduation.
Frost School of Music (University of Miami)
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Programs: Music Engineering Technology B.S.
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$90,000 a year
The Frost School of Music is the University of Florida’s music school. The school was the first in the nation to offer a four year degree program in audio engineering which shows their dedication to this field. Students are required to submit an audition on an instrument and a portfolio as part of the admissions process.
The expectations for this degree are for students to show total proficiency in music, audio engineering, and hardware/software engineering. The school focuses on this interdisciplinary model and believes this makes the most well rounded professional upon graduation.
One of the stand out components of this degree is its focus on computer engineering with topics ranging from programming to AI. As things become more digitized and more advanced, this knowledge could be invaluable for someone looking at the music industry from a technological lens.
Along with these focuses, students may also choose to minor in electrical engineering or computer engineering. These options give you even more exposure and experience to the physical or digital world of audio engineering.
USC Thornton School of Music
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: Bachelor of Music – Music Production
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: ~$74,000 a year
The University of Southern California is known as one of the best and most famous schools in Los Angeles. It’s excellence in sports (over 500 alumni drafted into the NFL) and its film school (most alumni have gone on and won Academy and Emmy awards) have made it a highly in demand place to learn.
The music branch of USC is no different. Offering a Bachelor of Music in Music Production you will learn and master the skills and special techniques it takes to master recording and processing acoustic instruments. This degree’s focus is less on the electronic or synthesis side of audio engineering and focuses much more heavily on studio and live production.
Students can expect to work alongside bands, musical groups, and the school film students to work on projects and craft recordings that work alongside those types of projects.
As you can tell, this degree is for someone who possesses a great desire to be the best at recording and setting sound to screen. With USC’s reputation for excellence in these art forms, this is a great choice for students with the drive to pursue these skills.
Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Programs: Non-Degree Certification
Duration: 1 year
Tuition: ~$20,000 a year
The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science rounds out our list of schools with a unique one year offer. While they don’t offer a traditional college degree, they do offer an intensive schooling that gets you out the door and working faster.
With two locations across Arizona, this school provides top of the line studio facilities, full course loads and internship opportunities all as part of the program.
Once of the main benefits CRAS has going for it is the cost compared to some other traditional colleges. Depending on your goals and needs for your career you may or may not need a full blown degree and this might work for you. Either way, it’s another option to consider when making this important decision.
