Billboard Names MTSU Top Music Business School
The Murfreesboro university earns recognition as a top music business institution for the twelfth consecutive year.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Country
Live Poll
Do you believe local universities are effectively preparing students for real-world career success?
Billboard has named the Middle Tennessee State University Department of Recording Industry a Top Music Business School. This marks the twelfth year in a row that the university has received this industry honor.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the ongoing growth of the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment and its focus on industry-aligned curriculum. The school continues to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and professional standards for students entering the music industry.
The school maintained its status for 12 consecutive years as a top-ranked program. During the most recent academic year, more than 65 industry professionals visited the campus to share expertise with students.
The players
Middle Tennessee State University
A public university located in Murfreesboro that is home to the Department of Recording Industry and the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment.
Billboard
A prominent music industry publication and data provider that annually ranks educational institutions based on music business curriculum.
Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment
A specialized college within Middle Tennessee State University that focuses on media, film, television, and the recording industry.
The details
The university expanded its academic offerings by adding a graduate concentration in entertainment law, a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television, and an undergraduate minor in live entertainment. Students also gain technical experience by managing sound production for athletic events, live concerts, and ESPN+ broadcasts.
Timeline
2026: The university is named a Top Music Business School by Billboard.
2025-2026 academic year: Over 65 industry professionals visited as guest speakers.
Industry Dynamics
This consistent recognition underscores the university's role in supplying talent to the Nashville music hub, solidifying its place in the broader entertainment education landscape. The school is actively countering franchise fatigue in higher education by diversifying its degree programs to cover law and film alongside traditional recording arts.
Prospective students can now access expanded specializations in entertainment law and film at the Murfreesboro campus. These curriculum updates offer students more direct pathways into professional roles across the Nashville-based entertainment industry.
The takeaway
Students looking to enter the music industry benefit from academic programs that prioritize partnerships with active professionals. Practical experience through live production and broadcasting remains a core component for those pursuing careers in entertainment.
Further reading
For more information on the regional music sector, visit the Country section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGNSRadio.
Live Poll
Do you believe local universities are effectively preparing students for real-world career success?
