If time, money or both are a major factor in what type of music production degree to pursue, an associate's degree in music production may be the ideal choice because it can be completed more quickly than more advanced degrees and will not cost as much. Just as with other degree fields, a bachelor's degree requires more credit-hours and will be more expensive than an associate's; however, this greater investment will pay dividends as bachelor's degrees in music production provide a much deeper understanding of digital audio technology, principles of acoustics, and electrical and circuit design.
Music production degrees also differ in the ratio of lecture-based courses to hands-on time in an actual recording studio. Both approaches have benefits and drawbacks; lecture-centric degrees can typically give a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the foundations of music production such as the physics of sound and the principles of digital audio recording. A more hands-on approach with lots of time spent in the studio gives students a chance to become more comfortable with the feel of a studio. A school's website will typically provide all the relevant information as to whether their music production program is more hands-on or more lecture-based.
The quality of the recording facilities should be a major factor in deciding where to attend college for a music production degree. Digital audio recording and production may be among the most rapidly changing fields of the constantly changing technology used to record audio. A school that invests heavily in recording studio facilities should have state-of-the-art recording facilities. Facilities that are out of date by even a few years can leave the student unprepared for work in a modern recording studio.
In addition to the considerations that should be made for college (tuition costs, financial aid and scholarship availability, room and board, etc.), the prospective music production student should inquire about the availability of the recording studio facilities, the policy for student use of those facilities and after-hours access to recording studios. Some schools also offer internships and job placement upon graduation, which can go a long way in beginning a career in audio production.