BA vs BM vs BFA in Musical Theatre: What’s the Difference?

Musical theatre is offered as three main degrees: the BA, the BM, and the BFA, and they differ in more than name. Here is how they generally compare. Every program is different, so always check each school's specifics.

BA — Bachelor of Arts in musical theatre

• Roughly 25 to 45 percent of coursework is in the major.
• An audition is sometimes required for admission.
• More flexible and customizable.
• Other concentrations can include acting, directing, design and production, and more.
• An opportunity to explore and build a multi-hyphenate skill set.

Good for students who want to double major or play a sport, or want strong theatre training while still valuing the academic flexibility of a broader liberal arts education.

Not the best fit for students who crave performance as the central focus of the majority of their classes, or need intensive studio work to stay motivated.

BM — Bachelor of Music in musical theatre

• Roughly 55 to 80 percent of coursework is in the major.
• An audition is generally required.
• Heavy emphasis on music theory, ear training, sight-reading, piano, and more.
• Includes dance and acting to prepare students for a career in performance.
• Often housed in a conservatory or school of music.

Good for students who love musicianship and music training, are interested in music-focused careers alongside performing, and thrive in a highly structured environment.

Not the best fit for students who do not want a strong emphasis on music theory, or prefer acting or dance to be a more primary focus.

BFA — Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre

• Roughly 65 to 80 percent of coursework is in the major.
• An audition is generally required.
• Conservatory-style, immersive training.
• Daily training across acting, singing, and dancing.
• Designed to prepare students for a career in performance.

Good for students who thrive in a highly structured environment and are ready to make performance training the central focus of their college experience.

Not the best fit for students who are unsure about committing to intensive daily performance training, or want significant academic flexibility.

Found the degree that fits you? Browse programs and filter by degree to compare auditions, deadlines, and requirements across schools.