Best institutions to study Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy
A program that prepares individuals to function as professional instructors in the spiritual and physical therapy of Yoga in private, institutional, and clinical settings.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 88 Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3602, a specialization of Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (CIP 51.36), and leads most directly to the Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 39-9031).
About Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy programs
A program that prepares individuals to function as professional instructors in the spiritual and physical therapy of Yoga in private, institutional, and clinical settings. Includes instruction in the principles of Ayurveda, philosophy of Yoga, warm-up and progressive exercises, breathing exercises, meditation, Yamas and Niyamas, instructional techniques, posture adjustment, student/client counseling and assessment, advanced Yoga disciplines and styles, business practices, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy program prepares individuals to become professional instructors in the spiritual and physical aspects of Yoga. This program is suitable for those interested in teaching Yoga in various settings, including private studios, institutions, and clinical environments. It emphasizes both the physical and therapeutic elements of Yoga, making it ideal for students passionate about health and wellness.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in principles of Ayurveda, Yoga philosophy, breathing exercises, meditation techniques, and posture adjustment. Coursework also covers instructional methods, student counseling, and business practices, equipping graduates with the skills needed to effectively teach and support their clients.
Credentials awarded
What Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year34 graduates / yr · 6 institutions39%
- Master's degree30 graduates / yr · 2 institutions34%
- Award of less than 12 weeks11 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
Graduates over time
Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2013 | 54 |
| 2014 | 135 |
| 2015 | 102 |
| 2016 | 188 |
| 2017 | 155 |
| 2018 | 128 |
| 2019 | 158 |
| 2020 | 102 |
| 2021 | 85 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2023 | 96 |
| 2024 | 98 |
| 2025 | 88 |
Top 11 institutions for Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 50% | $24,333 | — |
| 2 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 67% | $58,427 | $23,768 |
| 3 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 75% | — | — |
| 4 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 11 | 79% | $36,488 | — |
| 5 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 11 | 18% | — | — |
| 6 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 17% | — | — |
| 7 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 25% | — | — |
| 8 | Naropa University Boulder, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 37% | $30,558 | — |
| 9 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 10 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 16% | — | — |
| 11 | Pacific College of Health and Science San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 77% | $40,515 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education field (CIP 51.36) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states
Where Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy graduates come from. Each state links to all Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 | 22 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts15 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 20 | Notre Dame of Maryland University20 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 14 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus13 / yr |
| California | 2 | 12 | Loyola Marymount University11 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 11 | Portland Community College11 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | Milwaukee Area Technical College6 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Naropa University2 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | Saint Paul College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-9031, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy program can pursue careers as Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. The job outlook for this field is promising, with an expected growth rate of 11.9% and approximately 74,200 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $46,180, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3602
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructorsprimary SOC 39-9031 | $47,160 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~74,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
Tools and technology used
Other Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (CIP 51.36).
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn various credentials, including awards of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a Master's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and instructional techniques.
What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Exercise Trainer or Group Fitness Instructor, among other roles in the health and wellness field.
What is the job outlook for Yoga instructors?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a projected growth of 11.9% and 74,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy?+
Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy is CIP 51.3602 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (CIP 51.36). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to function as professional instructors in the spiritual and physical therapy of Yoga in private, institutional, and clinical settings. Includes instruction in the principles of Ayurveda, philosophy of Yoga, warm-up and progressive exercises, breathing exercises, meditation, Yamas and Niyamas, instructional techniques, posture adjustment, student/client counseling and assessment, advanced Yoga disciplines and styles, business practices, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states, awarding 88 credentials in the year. That is 14.4% of all Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education graduates.
How much do Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation, which Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy most directly leads to, pays a median of $47,160 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education field report median earnings of $23,768 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card