Music Business & Industry

Turn your passion for music into a career in the entertainment industry. In the Bachelor of Science in Music Business & Industry (MBI) program at Vermont State University, you will learn to produce, write, record, mix, and promote music, as well as market artists, produce concerts, and manage tours. With GRAMMY®-winning faculty, a student-run record label, internships with top artists and recording studios, and our strong music industry connections, you’ll graduate with experience that will impress any music industry professional and help you stand out.

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Abbey Dooley

Admissions Counselor

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Why Study Music Business & Industry at Vermont State?

  • No audition or formal training requirements: In this contemporary music program, true excitement for and dedication to music are the primary prerequisites.
  • Exceptional career preparation: With hands-on course work in audio production, music management, and music performance, MBI majors create, record/produce, market, and distribute commercial music products; design, program, and present public events (artist showcases, weekend-long music festivals, etc.); and collaborate with world-renowned artists, professional recording studios, and popular music venues.
  • One-on-one Instrument Instruction: Expand your knowledge of your instrument or learn a new musical instrument in weekly private, one-on-one, lessons taught by an amazing group of talented instructors.
  • Two-Day, Student-run, Music Festival: By joining the MEISA student club, you will directly perform or work at Greggfest, which is a student organized music festival on the Lyndon campus during the spring semester. MEISA also organizes many performance opportunities on campus.
  • Analog recording studio: As an MBI major, you will have 24-hour access to this space for your coursework and personal projects. The control room features a Toft ATB 24 analog recording console connected to an Avid: Pro Tools HDX system. The studio’s tracking space comes fully equipped with microphones, cables, headphones, instruments, direct boxes, and stands.
  • Award-winning faculty: You’ll collaborate with faculty in small, and supportive classes. Your professors have advanced degrees and stellar reputations, including a GRAMMY® award-winning audio engineer who has worked with Big Sean, Ludacris, Deftones, Slayer, Flo Rida, Céline Dion, Michael Bublé, and “Weird Al” Yankovic as well as a multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, and producer who worked with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Amazing Crowns, Big D and the Kids Table.
  • Excellent and accessible music facilities: You will be able to work in eight distinctive spaces on campus: a 24-hour recording studio, a 24-hour DAW computer lab, two rehearsal spaces, two multipurpose classrooms equipped with interactive smartboards, and the Alexander Twilight Theater.
  • Student-run record label: The MBI program offers a variety of immersive, hands-on experiences, including the student-run record label, where you will work collaboratively on music projects in roles such as talent scouting, pre-production, recording, mixing, mastering, promotion, duplication, and tour management.

Concentrations in Music Business & Industry

Internships & Jobs in the Music Industry

The MBI program supports internships, co-ops, career coaching, alumni networking, and more to help students acquire practical skills and connections in the music business industry.

Avid Pro Tools Certification

The MBI program offers two professional-level certifications for the industry-standard Pro Tools digital audio workstation (DAW) software: the Avid Operator Certification: Pro Tools (Post) and the Avid User Certification: Pro Tools. These certifications show technical proficiency and qualifications that are favorably recognized by future employers.

Financial Aid for Music Business & Industry Students

Vermont State University offers an affordable music business degree to students across Vermont and beyond. More than 80 percent of Vermont State students are awarded financial aid, including new students, transfer students, international students, out-of-state students, and first-generation students. Our financial aid team is here to help you explore all your options.

Minors Available in the Music Business & Industry Program

Interested in adding a minor to your degree program? See minors available in the Music Business & Industry program below.

  • Audio Production
  • Music Management
See Full List of Vermont State Minors

Student Stories

A red headed girl smiles for a portrait. She is wearing a camo hoodie and has sunglasses on her head.

“I’ve taken every opportunity I could to get involved, including putting on ten to fifteen shows a year with the Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association (MEISA) club. I also created a marketing approach for a performing artist — and the artist is actually using it!”

Lily Robitaille ’21
A portrait of a young man wearing a blue button up shirt and glasses as he smiles at the camera against a fountain in the background.

“Getting a job right out of college was a career highlight for sure. When employers look at resumés of people who have graduated from our MBI program, they see a high level of student involvement. That’s what sets us apart. You’re developing skills the entire time, working toward your career goals in a hands-on manner.”

Jordan Racine ’16