CU Denver was named to Billboard’s 2022 Top Music Business Schools list, representing the fourth time the school has been included in the prestigious ranking. CU Denver's study of music business occupies a spot on the list among well-known private schools like New York University and represents the only school in the Rocky Mountain region to be named.

"It's an honor to be recognized among such prestigious and storied music business programs. With our additional focus on advocacy, social justice, and leadership within the industry and local communities, I feel we have set ourselves apart from other programs," says Storm Gloor, Associate Professor of music business in CU Denver's College of Arts & Media (CAM).

The last time the school received the distinction was in April 2020, after which Billboard took a break from posting the listing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent disruption of normal programing at each of the schools.

Billboard considers a host of factors when choosing candidates for its list, including industry recommendations, alumni information, and information requested from the schools themselves. This year, the magazine prioritized including more affordable public colleges and universities, like CU Denver. However, there are still plenty of private schools on the list, including schools like Berklee College of Music in Boston and Loyola University in New Orleans. There are even a handful of international schools, like Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in England and Abbey Road Institute with locations in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, Johannesburg, and Frankfurt, Germany.

CU Denver’s music business program stood out because of the school’s commitment to “advocacy, policy implications and change agency within the music and entertainment industries” through initiatives such as partnerships with the nonprofit Youth on Record. The program was also heralded for its hand in the development, marketing, and research of Amplify Music, an initiative born to address the challenges facing the music industry due to COVID-19. "Existing within a city and region that is internationally recognized for leading edge programs and support of musicians and its music economy is certainly a plus as well," Gloor adds.

Alumni of the music business program find fulfilling careers in digital music marketing and distribution, music publishing, venue and tour management, and through independent entrepreneurship. Billboard drew attention to one CAM alum, J.J. Italiano, former head of music programming at YouTube North America, and who was named head of global hits at Spotify in May.