Best Art programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts.
100 schools in Pennsylvania run programs that feed this job, graduating 4,427 people a year. The job pays a median of $77,280 in Pennsylvania across about 4,170 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Pennsylvania that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
52 programs in Pennsylvania that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Pennsylvania (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Pennsylvania page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 50.0701In Pennsylvania → | 427 | 9.6% | 29 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 2 | CIP 50.0702In Pennsylvania → | 369 | 8.3% | 37 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 3 | CIP 50.0409In Pennsylvania → | 334 | 7.5% | 28 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 4 | CIP 50.0501In Pennsylvania → | 331 | 7.5% | 37 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 5 | CIP 50.0602In Pennsylvania → | 315 | 7.1% | 11 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 6 | CIP 50.0903In Pennsylvania → | 245 | 5.5% | 23 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 7 | CIP 13.1312In Pennsylvania → | 199 | 4.5% | 22 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 8 | CIP 50.0401In Pennsylvania → | 184 | 4.2% | 16 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 9 | CIP 50.0703In Pennsylvania → | 166 | 3.7% | 22 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 10 | CIP 50.0102In Pennsylvania → | 165 | 3.7% | 12 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 11 | CIP 50.0301In Pennsylvania → | 163 | 3.7% | 13 | $21,877 | $25,000 |
| 12 | CIP 13.1302In Pennsylvania → | 139 | 3.1% | 13 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 13 | CIP 50.0913In Pennsylvania → | 118 | 2.7% | 9 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 14 | CIP 50.0506In Pennsylvania → | 111 | 2.5% | 8 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 15 | CIP 50.0407In Pennsylvania → | 109 | 2.5% | 6 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 16 | CIP 50.0601In Pennsylvania → | 92 | 2.1% | 11 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 17 | CIP 50.1003In Pennsylvania → | 90 | 2.0% | 8 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 18 | CIP 50.0410In Pennsylvania → | 78 | 1.8% | 6 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 19 | CIP 50.1001In Pennsylvania → | 71 | 1.6% | 5 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 20 | CIP 50.0605In Pennsylvania → | 67 | 1.5% | 11 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 21 | CIP 50.0509In Pennsylvania → | 65 | 1.5% | 5 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 22 | CIP 50.0101In Pennsylvania → | 60 | 1.4% | 10 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 23 | CIP 50.0708In Pennsylvania → | 45 | 1.0% | 3 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 24 | CIP 50.0910In Pennsylvania → | 44 | 1.0% | 2 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 25 | CIP 50.0502In Pennsylvania → | 42 | 0.9% | 9 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 26 | CIP 50.1002In Pennsylvania → | 39 | 0.9% | 5 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 27 | CIP 50.0699In Pennsylvania → | 37 | 0.8% | 6 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 28 | CIP 50.1004In Pennsylvania → | 31 | 0.7% | 2 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 29 | CIP 50.0908In Pennsylvania → | 30 | 0.7% | 4 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 30 | CIP 50.0504In Pennsylvania → | 27 | 0.6% | 3 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 31 | CIP 50.0507In Pennsylvania → | 24 | 0.5% | 4 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 32 | CIP 50.0710In Pennsylvania → | 24 | 0.5% | 4 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 33 | CIP 50.0904In Pennsylvania → | 24 | 0.5% | 7 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 34 | CIP 50.0999In Pennsylvania → | 21 | 0.5% | 4 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 35 | CIP 50.0911In Pennsylvania → | 14 | 0.3% | 2 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 36 | CIP 50.0799In Pennsylvania → | 13 | 0.3% | 4 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 37 | CIP 50.0912In Pennsylvania → | 13 | 0.3% | 4 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 38 | CIP 50.0404In Pennsylvania → | 12 | 0.3% | 2 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 39 | CIP 50.0709In Pennsylvania → | 12 | 0.3% | 1 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 40 | CIP 50.0907In Pennsylvania → | 12 | 0.3% | 3 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 41 | CIP 50.0599In Pennsylvania → | 11 | 0.2% | 4 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 42 | CIP 50.0711In Pennsylvania → | 10 | 0.2% | 2 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 43 | CIP 50.0712In Pennsylvania → | 9 | 0.2% | 1 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 44 | CIP 50.0406In Pennsylvania → | 8 | 0.2% | 4 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 45 | CIP 50.0399In Pennsylvania → | 7 | 0.2% | 1 | $21,877 | $25,000 |
| 46 | CIP 50.0706In Pennsylvania → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 47 | CIP 50.0902In Pennsylvania → | 5 | 0.1% | 3 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 48 | CIP 50.0906In Pennsylvania → | 4 | 0.1% | 2 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 49 | Visual and Performing Arts, Othermain feeder CIP 50.9999In Pennsylvania → | 2 | 0.0% | 2 | $24,229 | $25,000 |
| 50 | CIP 50.0510In Pennsylvania → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 51 | CIP 50.0713In Pennsylvania → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 52 | CIP 50.0915In Pennsylvania → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
Top 25 schools in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 32 of the 100 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 29 feeder programs | 609 | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | $24,345 | 75% | — | 80% |
| 2 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 14 feeder programs | 319 | Music Management | $24,205 | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 17 feeder programs | 300 | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | $30,697 | 86% | — | 61% |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 17 feeder programs | 255 | Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | $32,967 | 94% | $23,803 | 12% |
| 5 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 186 | Dance, General | $17,781 | 59% | $23,704 | 97% |
| 6 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA Public · 6 feeder programs | 183 | Art Teacher Education | $36,800 | 54% | — | 91% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PA Public · 6 feeder programs | 162 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $21,523 | 52% | — | 94% |
| 8 | Moore College of Art and Design Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 131 | Digital Arts | $27,107 | 57% | $43,204 | 56% |
| 9 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 4 feeder programs | 110 | Film/Cinema/Media Studies | $28,634 | 85% | — | 58% |
| 10 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA Public · 6 feeder programs | 101 | Art/Art Studies, General | $24,990 | 58% | — | 86% |
| 11 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA Public · 9 feeder programs | 99 | Art/Art Studies, General | — | 71% | — | 78% |
| 12 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 89 | Music Performance, General | — | 75% | $25,675 | 79% |
| 13 | Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 84 | Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | $17,150 | 82% | $23,111 | 72% |
| 14 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA Public · 6 feeder programs | 77 | Art/Art Studies, General | — | 66% | — | 71% |
| 15 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Public · 7 feeder programs | 72 | Art/Art Studies, General | — | 24% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 72 | Design and Visual Communications, General | — | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 17 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 64 | Music Teacher Education | $49,263 | 65% | $24,925 | 84% |
| 18 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA Public · 4 feeder programs | 59 | Graphic Design | — | 24% | — | — |
| 19 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 55 | Music Performance, General | $27,854 | 77% | $32,060 | 84% |
| 20 | Albright College Reading, PA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 51 | Fashion/Apparel Design | $29,793 | 51% | $21,906 | 76% |
| 21 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PA Public · 3 feeder programs | 49 | Graphic Design | $19,022 | 24% | — | — |
| 22 | Arcadia University Glenside, PA Private not-for-profit · 11 feeder programs | 46 | Illustration | — | 67% | $23,796 | 80% |
| 23 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PA Public · 7 feeder programs | 45 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $25,694 | 56% | — | 91% |
| 24 | Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA Public · 3 feeder programs | 45 | Art/Art Studies, General | $19,024 | 28% | — | — |
| 25 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 41 | Fashion/Apparel Design | $36,433 | 69% | $26,034 | 81% |
All 100 schools in Pennsylvania
Every school in Pennsylvania with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple University | Philadelphia | Public | 609 | 29 |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 319 | 14 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus | University Park | Public | 300 | 17 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 255 | 17 |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 186 | 9 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown | Public | 183 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California | Public | 162 | 6 |
| Moore College of Art and Design | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 131 | 8 |
| University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh | Public | 110 | 4 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | Public | 101 | 6 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester | Public | 99 | 9 |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | Private not-for-profit | 89 | 9 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 84 | 5 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock | Public | 77 | 6 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Public | 72 | 7 |
What art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Pennsylvania
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $78,620. Pennsylvania pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Pennsylvania
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Art
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Pennsylvania
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 13.1302Art Teacher Education
- 13.1312Music Teacher Education
- 13.1324Drama and Dance Teacher Education
- 50.0101Visual and Performing Arts, General
- 50.0102Digital Arts
- 50.0201Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
- 50.0301Dance, General
- 50.0302Ballet
- 50.0399Dance, Other
- 50.0401Design and Visual Communications, General
- 50.0404Industrial and Product Design
- 50.0406Commercial Photography
- 50.0407Fashion/Apparel Design
- 50.0409Graphic Design
- 50.0410Illustration
- 50.0501Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- 50.0502Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
- 50.0504Playwriting and Screenwriting
- 50.0505Theatre Literature, History and Criticism
- 50.0506Acting
- 50.0507Directing and Theatrical Production
- 50.0509Musical Theatre
- 50.0510Costume Design
- 50.0511Comedy Writing and Performance
- 50.0512Theatre and Dance
Common questions
Answers for people weighing art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary programs in Pennsylvania.
What degree do you need to become an Art?+
Master's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Art/Art Studies, General, which awarded 427 degrees in Pennsylvania in 2024-25, 9.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Art?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 52 programs to this occupation. The largest are Fine and Studio Arts, Design and Applied Arts, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Music, plus 6 more. Together they graduate about 4,427 people a year in Pennsylvania.
How much do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Pennsylvania?+
The median is $77,280 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 1.7% below the U.S. median of $78,620. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 9,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Pennsylvania?+
100 institutions in Pennsylvania reported graduates from at least one of the 52 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Art Professor, Music Professor, Theater Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1121.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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