Best institutions to study Music Therapy/Therapist
A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients.
70 U.S. institutions graduated 635 Music Therapy/Therapist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2305, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Therapists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-1129).
About Music Therapy/Therapist programs
A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients. Includes instruction in music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, disabling conditions, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment plan development and implementation, clinical evaluation, record-keeping, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music Therapy/Therapist program prepares individuals to utilize music as a therapeutic tool in various settings, including rehabilitation teams and private practice. This program is designed for those interested in addressing the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients through music-based interventions. Students will gain the necessary skills to develop therapeutic relationships and implement treatment plans tailored to individual client needs, making this program ideal for compassionate individuals seeking to make a positive impact in the health professions field.
Core coursework includes music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, and patient assessment. Students also learn about treatment plan development, clinical evaluation, and professional ethics, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of music therapy practices.
Credentials awarded
What Music Therapy/Therapist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree443 graduates / yr · 63 institutions70%
- Master's degree153 graduates / yr · 25 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate35 graduates / yr · 5 institutions5.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Music Therapy/Therapist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 358 |
| 2013 | 420 |
| 2014 | 418 |
| 2015 | 482 |
| 2016 | 512 |
| 2017 | 519 |
| 2018 | 616 |
| 2019 | 651 |
| 2020 | 681 |
| 2021 | 663 |
| 2022 | 685 |
| 2023 | 703 |
| 2024 | 647 |
| 2025 | 635 |
Top 50 institutions for Music Therapy/Therapist, 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 | Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, INPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 37 | 47% | $43,857 | $35,301 |
| 2 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 67% | $46,197 | $36,349 |
| 3 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 66% | — | $41,797 |
| 4 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 24 | 75% | — | $40,085 |
| 5 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 21 | 70% | $25,812 | — |
| 6 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 7 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 75% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 69% | — | — |
| 9 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 10 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 58% | — | — |
| 11 | Wartburg College Waverly, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 64% | $20,228 | — |
| 12 | Augsburg University Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 15 | 52% | $23,585 | — |
| 13 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 15 | 65% | — | — |
| 14 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 15 | 55% | — | — |
| 15 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 68% | — | — |
| 16 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 86% | — | — |
| 17 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 18 | Immaculata University Immaculata, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 71% | $26,941 | — |
| 19 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 14 | 59% | — | — |
| 20 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 64% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor's | 12 | 61% | — | — |
| 22 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 12 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 23 | Nazareth University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 73% | $27,945 | $39,739 |
| 24 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor's | 12 | 57% | — | — |
| 25 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 51% | — | — |
| 26 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 27 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 36% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 80% | $28,560 | — |
| 29 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 69% | $23,964 | — |
| 30 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 9 | 46% | — | $33,926 |
| 31 | Pacific University Forest Grove, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 67% | $30,571 | — |
| 32 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster's | 9 | 49% | — | $38,339 |
| 33 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 34 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicMaster's | 8 | 72% | — | — |
| 35 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 7 | 54% | — | $31,108 |
| 36 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 65% | — | — |
| 37 | Marywood University Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 72% | $21,769 | — |
| 38 | Alverno College Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 7 | 49% | $17,221 | $36,361 |
| 39 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 61% | $24,872 | — |
| 40 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 76% | $22,907 | — |
| 41 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 47% | $21,848 | — |
| 42 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 51% | $21,745 | $22,919 |
| 43 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 90% | — | — |
| 44 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 67% | $21,351 | $34,418 |
| 45 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicMaster's | 4 | 71% | — | — |
| 46 | Westfield State University Westfield, MAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 54% | — | — |
| 47 | Drury University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 62% | $20,482 | — |
| 48 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 49 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 50 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 67% | $19,887 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states
Where Music Therapy/Therapist graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1129, Therapists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Music Therapy/Therapist program can pursue careers as therapists, with a strong job outlook projected at 11.5% growth and approximately 4,100 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $65,010, with a typical educational requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2305
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Therapists, All Otherprimary SOC 29-1129 | $77,930 | +11.5% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Physical Therapy/CIP 51.2308
Therapist 13,795 graduates / yr277 institutions - Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Art Therapy/CIP 51.2301
Therapist 675 graduates / yr62 institutions - Therapeutic Recreation/CIP 51.2309
Recreational Therapy 640 graduates / yr49 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Orthotist/CIP 51.2307
Prosthetist 302 graduates / yr17 institutions - Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Kinesiotherapy/CIP 51.2311
Kinesiotherapist partial data96 graduates / yr6 institutions - Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a music therapist?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required to become a music therapist.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in music theory, patient assessment, and treatment plan implementation.
What is the job outlook for music therapists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 11.5%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Approximately 70 colleges offer the Music Therapy/Therapist program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Music Therapy/Therapist?+
Music Therapy/Therapist is CIP 51.2305 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients. Includes instruction in music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, disabling conditions, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment plan development and implementation, clinical evaluation, record-keeping, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Music Therapy/Therapist programs?+
70 U.S. institutions reported Music Therapy/Therapist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states, awarding 635 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Music Therapy/Therapist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Therapists, All Other occupation, which Music Therapy/Therapist most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $36,349 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.
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