Best institutions to study Music Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels.
447 U.S. institutions graduated 4,104 Music Teacher Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1312, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13), and leads most directly to the Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2022).
About Music Teacher Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Music Teacher Education program prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation at various educational levels. This program falls under the broader category of Teacher Education and Professional Development, equipping future educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to inspire students through music.
Students in this program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes learning strategies, education and training principles, and an understanding of music theory and pedagogy.
Credentials awarded
What Music Teacher Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,857 graduates / yr · 403 institutions70%
- Master's degree1,070 graduates / yr · 122 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship61 graduates / yr · 18 institutions1.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate47 graduates / yr · 14 institutions1.1%
- Post-master's certificate27 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - other12 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Music Teacher Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,240 |
| 2013 | 5,217 |
| 2014 | 5,251 |
| 2015 | 4,971 |
| 2016 | 4,732 |
| 2017 | 4,430 |
| 2018 | 4,393 |
| 2019 | 4,506 |
| 2020 | 4,474 |
| 2021 | 4,688 |
| 2022 | 4,851 |
| 2023 | 4,626 |
| 2024 | 4,487 |
| 2025 | 4,104 |
Top 50 institutions for Music Teacher Education, 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 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 89 | 45% | — | $45,110 |
| 2 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 76 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 70 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 4 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 69 | 50% | — | $36,276 |
| 5 | Longy School of Music of Bard College Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 66 | 78% | $43,291 | — |
| 6 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 63 | 86% | — | $50,610 |
| 7 | VanderCook College of Music Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 50 | 67% | $18,033 | $43,100 |
| 8 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 50 | 43% | — | $41,914 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 85% | — | $46,897 |
| 10 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 46 | 64% | — | $35,860 |
| 11 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 45 | 91% | — | $47,572 |
| 12 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 43 | 90% | — | $43,129 |
| 13 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 42 | 53% | — | $58,894 |
| 14 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 65% | — | $44,613 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 51% | — | $40,005 |
| 16 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 76% | $28,970 | $48,249 |
| 17 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 35 | 75% | — | $46,019 |
| 18 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | 80% | — | $40,364 |
| 19 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GAPublicMaster's | 33 | 64% | — | — |
| 20 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 60% | $17,205 | $52,790 |
| 21 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sBachelor's | 32 | 88% | $29,023 | $44,500 |
| 22 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 56% | — | $43,033 |
| 23 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 30 | 65% | $24,925 | $49,263 |
| 24 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 29 | 61% | — | $46,579 |
| 25 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 29 | 59% | — | $43,996 |
| 26 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 69% | — | $51,209 |
| 27 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 28 | 67% | — | $45,786 |
| 28 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 86% | $25,823 | $57,665 |
| 29 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 75% | — | $47,572 |
| 30 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor's | 26 | 51% | — | $40,113 |
| 31 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 26 | 67% | $46,197 | — |
| 32 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 93% | — | — |
| 33 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 26 | 75% | — | $41,018 |
| 34 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 26 | 88% | — | $41,944 |
| 35 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 25 | 62% | — | $46,347 |
| 36 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 69% | — | $40,495 |
| 37 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 51% | — | $47,121 |
| 38 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 71% | — | $35,282 |
| 39 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 25 | 58% | — | $42,468 |
| 40 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 57% | — | $38,576 |
| 41 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 80% | $35,682 | $53,201 |
| 42 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 24 | 81% | — | $49,041 |
| 43 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 77% | — | $47,698 |
| 44 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 68% | — | $43,602 |
| 45 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 67% | — | $41,658 |
| 46 | Nazareth University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 73% | $27,945 | — |
| 47 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 68% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 49% | — | — |
| 49 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 23 | 64% | — | $41,509 |
| 50 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 81% | $13,712 | $47,153 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Music Teacher Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2022, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Music Teacher Education program can pursue careers as middle school teachers, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary art, drama, and music educators. The job outlook indicates a decline of 2% in this field, with approximately 40,500 annual openings and a median wage of $62,970 for those holding a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1312
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationprimary SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional 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 Teacher Education 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
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 37 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13).
- Physical Education Teaching and CoachingCIP 13.13147,066 graduates / yr415 institutions
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions
- Social Studies Teacher EducationCIP 13.13181,922 graduates / yr219 institutions
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 institutions
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Environmental EducationCIP 13.1338105 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Music Teacher Education?+
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 active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become a middle school teacher, secondary school teacher, or a postsecondary music educator.
What is the job outlook for music teachers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, with about 40,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Music Teacher Education?+
Music Teacher Education is CIP 13.1312 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels.
How many institutions offer Music Teacher Education programs?+
447 U.S. institutions reported Music Teacher Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 4,104 credentials in the year. That is 10.3% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Music Teacher Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation, which Music Teacher Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $43,602 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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