Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication has been named to Billboard’s 2026 Top Music Business Schools list, marking the fourth consecutive year the college has received the recognition.
This year’s list highlights Klein’s evolving curriculum, opportunities for students to connect with music industry professionals and plans for new facilities at the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication.
"Being recognized by Billboard for the fourth consecutive year reflects the work our students and faculty put into this program,” said Jack Klotz, associate professor of practice, vice chair of the Department of Media Studies and Production and director of Klein’s audio and live entertainment program. “We want students to understand how the music business works and have opportunities to find their place in it—whether that’s in a recording studio, behind a live event or on the business side of the industry.”
Klein’s Bachelor of Arts in Audio and Live Entertainment brings together the creative, technical and business dimensions of the entertainment industry. Students develop skills for careers in recording, music production and live events while learning how entertainment projects move from an idea to an audience.
That preparation also includes exploring technologies reshaping the industry. In Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Industries, students examine how AI is being used in sound, video and writing. The course combines practical experience with discussion of the ethical questions and implications for creative work.
Learning extends beyond campus through opportunities such as Life and Work in Music City: Navigating the Entertainment Industry in Nashville. Offered through Klein Global Opportunities, the course pairs classroom preparation with a week of industry visits, professional development and conversations with executives and other music professionals.
During the program’s inaugural trip in 2025, students visited organizations including Sony Music Nashville, Third Man Records and Universal Music Group’s East Iris Studios. Those experiences introduced students to the range of careers behind recorded music and live entertainment, from artist management and marketing to studio production and venue operations.
“Klein College’s Career Services Department offers our students access to coaching, advice, connections, and assistance with obtaining internships and jobs in the music industry,” said James Donio, adjunct assistant professor and former president of the Music Business Association. “It’s a very competitive industry and we are committed to our students’ success.”
The recognition also builds on a history of alumni contributions to music. From John Oates, ’70, of Daryl Hall & John Oates and Ruffhouse Records co-founder Phil Nicolo, ’77, to producer and engineer Will Yip, ’08, and independent recording artist Zinadelphia (Hannah McKenney, ’22), Temple alumni have helped shape the music audiences hear across generations.
Billboard also highlights Klein’s connections with Rock Lititz, the Pennsylvania production campus that brings together companies and professionals working in live entertainment. Klein students have visited the campus to explore career paths and learn from people whose work supports concerts, tours and other live events.
Additional opportunities are taking shape in the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication, scheduled to open in fall 2027. The building will serve as the new home for Klein College and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, with plans that include Sigma Sound Studios, advanced audio and editing suites, and an integrated student media center.
The fourth consecutive Billboard recognition comes as Klein continues to expand the spaces, coursework and industry experiences available to students preparing for careers in music and live entertainment.