Best institutions to study Woodwind Instruments
A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 148 Woodwind Instruments students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0915, a specialization of Music (CIP 50.09), and leads most directly to the Musicians and Singers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2042).
About Woodwind Instruments programs
A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Woodwind Instruments program, part of the Music field within Visual and Performing Arts, is designed for individuals aiming to master woodwind instruments such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. This program emphasizes performance skills for solo, ensemble, and accompaniment settings, fostering personal style development and artistry in music.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in speaking, active listening, and critical thinking, along with a strong foundation in fine arts and communication. Coursework often includes performance techniques, music interpretation, and personal style enhancement, preparing students for diverse musical expressions.
Credentials awarded
What Woodwind Instruments graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree70 graduates / yr · 10 institutions47%
- Bachelor's degree50 graduates / yr · 10 institutions34%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions8.1%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 5 institutions4.7%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Doctor's degree - other1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Woodwind Instruments completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 111 |
| 2013 | 122 |
| 2014 | 122 |
| 2015 | 120 |
| 2016 | 121 |
| 2017 | 153 |
| 2018 | 165 |
| 2019 | 163 |
| 2020 | 144 |
| 2021 | 110 |
| 2022 | 143 |
| 2023 | 173 |
| 2024 | 158 |
| 2025 | 148 |
Top 16 institutions for Woodwind Instruments, 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 | The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 30 | 73% | $38,781 | — |
| 2 | Manhattan School of Music New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 78% | $53,742 | — |
| 3 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 4 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 74% | $39,487 | $26,916 |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 13 | 92% | $26,873 | $12,947 |
| 6 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 10 | 54% | $28,311 | $24,511 |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 8 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 9 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 80% | — | $15,911 |
| 10 | Longy School of Music of Bard College Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 78% | $43,291 | — |
| 11 | Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music San Juan, PRPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 4 | 67% | — | $5,005 |
| 12 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
| 13 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 1 | 96% | — | — |
| 15 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 71% | $29,246 | $24,016 |
| 16 | Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 41% | $41,257 | $24,059 |
* 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 11 states & territories
Where Woodwind Instruments graduates come from. Each state links to all Music programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 45 | Manhattan School of Music29 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 35 | The New England Conservatory of Music30 / yr |
| California | 3 | 28 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music14 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 10 | University of Hartford10 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 9 | Vanderbilt University8 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | Rice University7 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 5 | Indiana University - Bloomington5 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 4 | Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | Roosevelt University2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Curtis Institute of Music1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2042, Musicians and Singers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Woodwind Instruments program typically pursue careers as musicians and singers, with some also becoming postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 19,400 positions. Most musicians do not require formal educational credentials.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0915
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 Woodwind Instruments 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
- Music PedagogyCIP 50.0912397 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Musicology and EthnomusicologyCIP 50.0905165 graduates / yr36 institutions
- ConductingCIP 50.0906159 graduates / yr53 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 instruments will I learn to play?+
You will learn to play various woodwind instruments, including the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and performance techniques.
What career opportunities are available?+
Career opportunities include musicians, singers, and postsecondary music teachers, with many positions not requiring formal education.
What is the CIP code for Woodwind Instruments?+
Woodwind Instruments is CIP 50.0915 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 master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
How many institutions offer Woodwind Instruments programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Woodwind Instruments graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states & territories, awarding 148 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% 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.
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