Full Sail University was recently included on Billboard magazine’s list of 2026’s Top Music Business Schools.
“Being recognized by Billboard magazine among its 2026 Top Music Business Schools list is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the exceptional talent, innovation and dedication of our students, faculty and alumni,” says Garry Jones, Full Sail University’s President. “Our university is committed to preparing the next generation of music industry leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving global entertainment industry. This recognition affirms the strength of our Music Business program and the extraordinary work happening across our university community.”
How does Billboard choose schools for its Top Music Business Schools list?
According to Billboard, the annual list is based on “industry recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from our multiple power lists, years of reporting on educational options, and on information requested from the schools themselves.”
Why was Full Sail University chosen for Billboard’s 2026 Top Music Business Schools list?
Billboard highlighted Full Sail’s Music Business program for its comprehensive curriculum, hands-on experience working with emerging artists, and recent real-world experiences for students, including behind-the-scenes access to Electric Daisy Carnival and field trips to Orlando’s Kia Center and Camping World Stadium, among other opportunities.
What do students learn in Full Sail’s Music Business bachelor’s program?
Full Sail University’s Music Business bachelor’s program is available both on campus and online, and it emphasizes real-world music business experience through hands-on projects.
Students develop skills in areas like music business management, copyright and publishing, rights and royalties, artist development, marketing, distribution, data analysis, finance, and leadership. The program’s coursework and projects place these concepts in practical, industry-oriented contexts.
The Music Business program prepares students to pursue opportunities like artist development and management, music marketing, publishing, live events, streaming, and emerging music ventures.
Where have Full Sail’s Music Business graduates worked?
Music Business grads from Full Sail have worked in a range of roles across the music and entertainment industries.
Grammy-winning graduate Dominique Jones, aka DOE, credits the Music Business program with helping her manage the business aspects of her independent music career.
She says, “When I went independent, I built my own website because Full Sail taught me how to do that… And there was an entertainment law class, so I had probably a better understanding of contracts than maybe most people at my stage of artistry… I am really thankful for my Music Business degree. It allowed me to see the layers [of the music business] that people don’t really know are there.”
Graduate Duarte Figueira has worked as the Director of A&R for Universal Music Latino. The Music Business program’s accelerated, focused pace was a benefit for him.
“I loved the idea of having just one to two courses a month. You just focus your head on those concepts and topics for that month and give your 100 percent to them,” Duarte says.
Four-time Emmy-winning grad Danny Chebanenko has used his experience in Full Sail’s Music Business program to produce daily broadcasts at 6ABC Philadelphia.
“[Full Sail] taught me how to manage my time, how to be goal-oriented, like a self-starter,” Danny says. “Being pushed to network and go outside of your comfort zone… just asking questions, that really helped me with my journalism.”
