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Billboard magazine names Auburn University’s music department in annual Top Music Business Schools list

For the third consecutive year, Billboard magazine has named Auburn University’s music department to its prestigious Top Music Business Schools list.

This list highlights universities that have created highly effective music business programs and are training the next generation of music business professionals. The Top Music Business Schools issue will be published online in Billboard Pro. 

Auburn’s Music Business minor was first offered to students in 2023. A two-year program, the first students to receive the minor graduated in 2025, and by 2026, 17 students had earned the degree. Prior to the minor in Music Business being offered, dozens of students from across campus took advantage of the music business courses offered by the music department, many of whom are also working in the music industry.

“When we launched Auburn’s Commercial Music major, Composition and Technology program, Music Business minor and invested in building a professional recording studio in Goodwin Hall, our goal was to create meaningful pathways for students to succeed in today’s music industry,” said Doug Rosener, professor and chair of the Department of Music at Auburn University. “Being recognized by Billboard as one of the nation’s top music business schools for the third consecutive year is a tremendous affirmation of that vision.” 

“What makes this honor especially meaningful is that our Music Business minor is only three years old,” he continued. “To have been named to this list and continue earning recognition reflects the quality of our faculty, industry partnerships and, most importantly, our students, who are gaining real-world experience and launching successful careers in the music business. These Music Business graduates are now working with major music companies across the U.S., including Sony, William Morris Endeavor, The-Team, Wiatr, Sun Records and more.”

The Music Business minor is part of the department’s Commercial Music program, which also offers a major in Composition and Technology as well as courses in audio engineering, which are taught in Lucky Man, the department’s state-of-the-art recording studio.

Last year, the department launched the Clayton Recording Arts Honors, a live performance contest made possible by Auburn alumnus Don Clayton. Auburn students competed for the opportunity to record in Lucky Man and release new music. The artists were assisted in the promotional aspects of the release by Blue Wire, a select group of Music Business students who worked on the marketing, PR, creative and social media campaigns for the student artists. This hands-on work added another important layer to preparing the students for jobs in the music industry.

About Billboard

Billboard is the world’s leading music media brand and chart provider, serving the entertainment ecosystem since 1894. As the ultimate authority on music success, Billboard delivers breaking news, expert industry analysis and the definitive weekly rankings of the world's most popular songs and albums across its digital, print and live event platforms.

Tags: Music