Many of the Christian Colleges in Tennessee offer music degree programs concentrating on music performance, music business, music theory, and worship arts. Most of the colleges listed below offer their music programs at the bachelor's level.
School Comparison
Throughout the state of Tennessee, there are several private Christian colleges of different denominations with music degree programs and opportunities to combine music with worship. This table looks at the cost for a year of attendance and the location of each school.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Interdenominational | Nashville, TN | $38,430 |
| Visible Music College | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Interdenominational | Memphis, TN | $20,000 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Church of the Nazarene | Nashville, TN | $26,898 |
| Union University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Southern Baptist | Jackson, TN | $35,510 |
| Milligan College | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Christian Churches and Churches of Christ | Milligan College, TN | $36,140 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Christian Music Colleges in Tennessee Overview
The following institutions include both focused music schools and more traditional universities that offer a range of programs, but all of them offer several options for those who are interested in a career in music. If you're looking for a Christian-themed major, there are plenty of music worship arts programs available.
Belmont University
Ranked the 182nd best national colleges for 2022, Belmont University was also named the 36th most innovative regional school by U.S. News and World Report. Belmont believes that music can help influence the Christian presence in people's lives. Because of this, Belmont several undergraduate and graduate degree programs in music and church music. Located at the end of Music Row in downtown Nashville, the school offers students the music education they want with Christian values, all while being close to the heart of Music City. Students can major in a number of music topics, such as music education, pedagogy, church music, music therapy, commercial music, music theory, and more. Students can also undertake service activities that combine music and God.
Visible Music College
At Visible Music College, there is a retention rate of 100% for traditional, first-time students. This is a small school that only enrolls undergraduate students. Roughly 192 students called this school home in 2021, and there is on-campus housing. The Student Government Association sets up faith-based activities and outreach and promotes unity throughout campus. As a music college, Visible has fewer majors than the other schools in this article, but all of its majors are music-focused. Along with a certificate program, Visible offers three bachelor's degrees in modern music, music production, and music business. Along with honing students' singing and music skills, courses include artist management, music publishing, booking and venue management, concert promotion, branding and music marketing.
Trevecca Nazarene University
At Trevecca's School of Music and Worship Arts, students will learn all about music as it is used in the church. Music students will take courses in Biblical foundations, leadership training, world music and culture, Christian tradition, aural theory, conducting, orchestration, lyric theatre ensemble, and many more. Some of the programs combine a music major with a religion minor to establish important Christian principles that can be applied in worship. Students will need to prove their skills with recitals and practicums. They can choose one of the associate degree programs or a bachelor's degree in commercial music, music performance, music education, worship and church ministry, theory and composition, or worship arts. At the weekly chapel, students put these worship arts skills to use, participate in prayer and scripture, and share the Lord's supper.
Union University
Union University offers three different bachelor's degrees in music: a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, and a Bachelor of Music (BM). Those who want to earn the BM have a wide selection of concentrations based on their interests and career plans. Students can focus on music education, church music, performance, music theory, composition, music with an emphasis in worship leadership or management, or music with an elective in communication arts. For the practical programs, students can zero in on whether they would like to tackle the program as vocal-, instrumental-, organ-, or piano-focused. Students can strengthen their faith on campus through LIFE groups, which are student-led groups for spiritual support, encouragement, and belonging.
Milligan College
Milligan College was named 12th in regional universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report for 2022. It was also named the second best value school in the South. The Area of Music is the department where music aficionados can seek their bachelor's degree program. Whether joining an ensemble, doing musical theater, or joining in with worship, you have plenty of chances to use your music skills. Music students can focus their studies on one of the numerous music majors: music performance, music education, music business, fine art, musical theatre, or worship leadership. The latter can help when students want to put their talents to use during vespers or service.
