Best institutions to study Music Pedagogy
A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings.
51 U.S. institutions graduated 397 Music Pedagogy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0912, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Musicians and Singers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2042).
About Music Pedagogy programs
A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music Pedagogy program prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring in both private and institutional settings. This program is ideal for those interested in teaching music and developing their skills in various musical genres and styles. Students learn to master one or more instruments while gaining a solid foundation in music theory and education principles.
Core coursework includes instruction in music theory, music composition, and client communication. Students will also develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective speaking, all vital for successful teaching and performance.
Credentials awarded
What Music Pedagogy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree160 graduates / yr · 19 institutions40%
- Bachelor's degree102 graduates / yr · 18 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship89 graduates / yr · 6 institutions22%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 10 institutions5.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks10 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
Graduates over time
Music Pedagogy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 143 |
| 2013 | 116 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 146 |
| 2018 | 182 |
| 2019 | 182 |
| 2020 | 215 |
| 2021 | 303 |
| 2022 | 374 |
| 2023 | 429 |
| 2024 | 383 |
| 2025 | 397 |
Top 50 institutions for Music Pedagogy, 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 112 | 65% | $28,911 | $28,003 |
| 2 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 37 | 65% | — | $36,252 |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 29 | 81% | — | $38,656 |
| 4 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster's | 24 | 64% | — | $20,632 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 65% | — | $35,311 |
| 6 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 7 | Luther College Decorah, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 71% | $22,827 | $45,367 |
| 8 | Carthage College Kenosha, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 64% | $22,844 | $24,273 |
| 9 | Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music San Juan, PRPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 10 | 67% | — | $5,005 |
| 10 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 67% | $46,197 | $18,177 |
| 11 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 61% | $23,844 | $20,727 |
| 12 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 6 | 70% | — | $23,991 |
| 13 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicDoctoral | 6 | 75% | — | $35,939 |
| 14 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicMaster's | 6 | 37% | — | $19,162 |
| 15 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 80% | — | $36,106 |
| 16 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 61% | — | — |
| 17 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 5 | 79% | $27,724 | $23,856 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 83% | — | — |
| 19 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 76% | $22,907 | — |
| 20 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 58% | — | $26,895 |
| 21 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 67% | $22,706 | — |
| 22 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
| 23 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 68% | $26,727 | $19,978 |
| 24 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 80% | — | $15,911 |
| 25 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicMaster's | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 26 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 74% | — | $31,888 |
| 27 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 69% | — | $49,906 |
| 28 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 38% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 84% | $26,589 | $15,492 |
| 30 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 90% | — | $15,289 |
| 31 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 85% | $23,461 | $26,540 |
| 32 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster's | 2 | 40% | — | — |
| 33 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 61% | $23,331 | — |
| 34 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 35 | Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 40% | $32,198 | — |
| 36 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 57% | — | $34,079 |
| 37 | VanderCook College of Music Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $18,033 | — |
| 38 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster's | 1 | 51% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 71% | — | $17,040 |
| 40 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 67% | — | $34,882 |
| 41 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 18% | — | — |
| 42 | Belhaven University Jackson, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 49% | $22,476 | — |
| 43 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 44 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 45 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 56% | — | $15,670 |
| 46 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $22,701 | — |
| 47 | Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 52% | $23,214 | — |
| 48 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 1 | 75% | — | $19,507 |
| 49 | Welch College Gallatin, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 53% | $19,634 | — |
| 50 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $35,682 | $10,210 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Music field (CIP 50.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 28 states & territories
Where Music Pedagogy graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2042, Musicians and Singers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Music Pedagogy program can pursue careers as musicians and singers or as postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an estimated 19,400 annual openings in related fields and a growth rate of 1.1%.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0912
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Musicians and Singersprimary SOC 27-2042 | — | +1.1% Little or no change | ~19,400 | No formal educational credential |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Music Pedagogy 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
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
Tools and technology used
Other Music specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Music (CIP 50.09).
- MusicCIP 50.090110,232 graduates / yr976 institutions
- Music PerformanceCIP 50.09036,946 graduates / yr375 institutions
- Music TechnologyCIP 50.09132,092 graduates / yr122 institutions
- Music Theory and CompositionCIP 50.09041,282 graduates / yr145 institutions
- MusicCIP 50.09991,199 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Voice and OperaCIP 50.0908641 graduates / yr81 institutions
- Jazz/CIP 50.0910
Jazz Studies 592 graduates / yr59 institutions - Stringed InstrumentsCIP 50.0911583 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Keyboard InstrumentsCIP 50.0907528 graduates / yr59 institutions
- Musicology and EthnomusicologyCIP 50.0905165 graduates / yr36 institutions
- ConductingCIP 50.0906159 graduates / yr53 institutions
- Woodwind InstrumentsCIP 50.0915148 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Music History, Literature, and TheoryCIP 50.0902131 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Brass InstrumentsCIP 50.0914103 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Percussion InstrumentsCIP 50.091640 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Sound ArtsCIP 50.0917partial data38 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Music Pedagogy?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and learning strategies.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a musician, singer, or a postsecondary music teacher.
What is the job outlook for music pedagogy graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 19,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Music Pedagogy?+
Music Pedagogy is CIP 50.0912 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Music (CIP 50.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications.
How many institutions offer Music Pedagogy programs?+
51 U.S. institutions reported Music Pedagogy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 28 states & territories, awarding 397 credentials in the year. That is 1.6% of all Music graduates.
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.
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