Music Pedagogy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Music Pedagogy equips students with the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively teach music across diverse educational environments. This program emphasizes both artistic mastery and pedagogical expertise, preparing graduates to guide learners of all ages and skill levels in private lessons, schools, community programs, and performance institutions.
- Music Theory: In-depth study of harmonic structures, counterpoint, form, and analytical techniques to deepen understanding of musical composition and performance.
- Music Composition: Development of original musical works through structured exercises in melody, rhythm, orchestration, and contemporary compositional methods.
- Instrumental Mastery: Advanced training in one or more instruments, focusing on technical precision, expressive interpretation, and performance readiness.
- Genre and Style Studies: Exploration of historical and cultural contexts across musical traditions, including classical, jazz, world music, and popular genres.
- Principles of Music Education: Evidence-based teaching strategies, curriculum design, assessment techniques, and learning development theories tailored to music instruction.
- Client Communication and Instructional Practice: Training in interpersonal skills, individualized lesson planning, and adaptive teaching methods to meet diverse learner needs.
Music Pedagogy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music Pedagogy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music Pedagogy degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Musicians and Singers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Musicians and Singers 27-2042 | N/A | N/A | 38,350 | $42.45 |
Music Pedagogy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 136,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Music Pedagogy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 50 institutions offering Music Pedagogy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Music Pedagogy is found at Liberty University (93 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (44 graduates), Rider University (21 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (20 graduates), and Luther College (16 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 385 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
93 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Rider University |
Master's
|
21 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Luther College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Decorah, Iowa | Private | luther.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
|
16 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Berklee College of Music |
Master's
|
12 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| Carthage College |
Master's
|
12 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Private | carthage.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
10 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Master's
|
8 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
3 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
|
3 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Other Award
|
3 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Arizona Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Glendale, Arizona | Private | arizonachristian.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Master's
|
2 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Belhaven University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | belhaven.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Master's
|
2 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Elizabethtown College |
Master's
|
2 | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Private | etown.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | msmu.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Master's
|
1 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Tabor College (TC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hillsboro, Kansas | Private | tabor.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
1 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Other Award
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Lee University |
Master's
|
1 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music Pedagogy programs
How much can I earn with a Music Pedagogy degree?
Salaries for Music Pedagogy graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Musicians and Singers earn around $0. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 136,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Music Pedagogy programs?
Currently 50 accredited institutions offer Music Pedagogy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (93 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (44 graduates), and Rider University (21 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Music Pedagogy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 132 in 2010 to 385 in 2023-24. This represents a 192% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Music Pedagogy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Musicians and Singers, . Related occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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