Belmont University

Belmont University is a private university in Nashville, Tennessee, whose Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business operates the world's only AACSB-accredited Music Business BBA program. Located two miles from downtown Nashville on Music Row, Belmont has spent over 50 years building direct partnerships with major labels, publishers, and booking agencies, giving students immediate access to the industry they want to work in.

Programs and Areas of Emphasis

Belmont's Music Business program is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), not a Bachelor of Music. This means students graduate with a professionally accredited business degree rather than a performance degree. The program offers five areas of emphasis:

• Business: Core business fundamentals combined with electives in digital marketing, genre-specific industry studies, DIY and entrepreneurial ventures, film and music supervision, and international music business.
• Creative: Blends artistic development (songwriting, audio production, publishing) with business operations including branding, digital marketing, and emerging technologies like AI.
• Legal: Focuses on entertainment law, copyright, contracts, and artist rights. Suitable for students planning to attend law school.
• Legal 3+3: An accelerated pathway letting qualified students earn both a BBA in Music Business and a Juris Doctor (JD) in six years instead of seven.
• Live: Centers on the touring and live events side of the industry, covering concert promotion, venue management, and festival operations.

Beyond Music Business, Belmont also offers degrees in Audio Engineering, Songwriting, Commercial Music, and Country Music performance through its College of Music & Performing Arts.

Tuition and Costs (2026-2027)

Belmont's 2026-2027 undergraduate tuition and fees total $45,200 per year. Full-time tuition is $21,485 per semester (12-18 credit hours), with part-time rates at $1,625 per credit hour. On-campus room and board adds approximately $16,130 for first-year students, bringing total direct costs to roughly $61,330 per year. Books and supplies can add up to $1,500 annually.

92% of Belmont undergraduates receive financial aid of some kind. The university offers merit scholarships, need-based aid, and the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship for eligible in-state residents.

Industry Access and Outcomes

Belmont's location on Music Row puts students within walking distance of record labels, recording studios, publishing houses, and management companies. The university maintains partnerships with ASCAP, BMI, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Creative Artists Agency, William Morris Endeavor, Big Machine, and the Music Business Association, among others.

The school reports a 98% first destination career outcomes rate, meaning nearly all graduates are employed, in graduate school, or pursuing other intended activities within six months of graduation. Billboard Magazine has repeatedly named Belmont a top school for Music Business.

Notable alumni include Ashley Gorley, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame with 83 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous executives across Nashville's entertainment sector.

Study Away Programs

Belmont USA lets students study in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington DC, as well as international locations. These programs place students directly in entertainment industry hubs for a semester, combining coursework with internships at labels, agencies, and production companies.

Who Should Apply

Belmont is best suited for students who want to work behind the scenes in the music industry: A&R, artist management, music publishing, label operations, concert promotion, entertainment law, or music supervision. If your goal is primarily instrumental or vocal performance at a conservatory level, other schools may be a better fit. If you want to understand how the music business actually works and graduate with a business degree, Belmont is one of the strongest options in the United States.

Related Resources

• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Revenue strategies that complement a music business education
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate how streaming revenue works for artists you may manage or sign
• Music Business Degrees: Are They Worth It? - Deeper analysis of music business education ROI
• Berklee College of Music - Compare with another top US music school
• Belmont University Official Website - Current admission requirements and program details