Music Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips students with the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to lead music instruction and appreciation initiatives across K–12 educational settings. Through a comprehensive curriculum rooted in performance, pedagogy, and curriculum development, graduates are prepared to inspire future generations of musicians and music lovers.
- Music Pedagogy: Explores evidence-based teaching methods tailored to diverse learning environments, emphasizing effective strategies for delivering music instruction to students of varying ages and abilities.
- Music Theory and Aural Skills: Develops advanced understanding of harmonic structures, counterpoint, and analytical techniques, alongside training in ear training and musical literacy.
- Music History and Literature: Traces the evolution of Western and global musical traditions, analyzing key composers, genres, and cultural contexts across historical periods.
- Performance and Ensemble Leadership: Focuses on instrumental and vocal performance excellence, along with the practical skills required to direct school bands, orchestras, choirs, and other ensembles.
- Curriculum Design and Assessment: Teaches how to create standards-aligned lesson plans, implement formative and summative assessments, and evaluate student progress in music education contexts.
- Educational Psychology and Classroom Management: Provides insight into child development, learning theories, and strategies for maintaining a productive, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment.
Music Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music Teacher Education degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. 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 1,849,890 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 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Music Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,235 in Oklahoma to $96,768 in California—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,849,890 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 Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Music Teacher Education 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 Teacher Education is found at SUNY College, Potsdam (109 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (91 graduates), Boston University (BU) (83 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (71 graduates), and SUNY, Fredonia (62 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,751 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
109 | N/A | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
91 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
83 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
71 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 |
SAT: 1060-1290 ACT: 21-28 |
Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
57 | SAT: 1100-1320 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
55 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| VanderCook College of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Private | vandercook.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
49 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1000-1230 ACT: 18-25 |
Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
39 | ACT: 20-25 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
38 |
SAT: 1210-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 |
SAT: 1010-1230 ACT: 22-27 |
Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
34 |
SAT: 1150-1375 ACT: 26-31 |
Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | N/A | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 21-28 |
Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Berklee College of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | N/A | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | SAT: 1093-1300 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 |
SAT: 1050-1270 ACT: 19-28 |
Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1150-1540 ACT: 21-29 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1190-1370 ACT: 27-31 |
Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
29 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 25-32 |
West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
29 | ACT: 19-27 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (O)
|
28 |
SAT: 880-1200 ACT: 20-27 |
Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 1230-1420 ACT: 28-33 |
Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 1170-1330 ACT: 25-30 |
Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Capital University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 18-25 |
Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| Anderson University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 1090-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Anderson, South Carolina | Private | andersonuniversity.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Concordia College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-28 |
Moorhead, Minnesota | Private | concordiacollege.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27 |
Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31 |
Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 970-1250 ACT: 18-26 |
Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 960-1210 ACT: 21-27 |
Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 |
SAT: 1110-1410 ACT: 21-29 |
Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | SAT: 1210-1470 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Lakeland University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | N/A | Plymouth, Wisconsin | Private | lakeland.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Master's
|
21 | N/A | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1223-1416 ACT: 25-30 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1090-1330 ACT: 22-28 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Northern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | ACT: 18-24 | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Public | northern.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 960-1160 ACT: 18-24 |
Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | N/A | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 940-1150 ACT: 17-24 |
Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
20 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 860-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
20 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 1290-1450 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
19 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 850-1030 ACT: 16-21 |
Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
19 |
SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | ACT: 17-24 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | N/A | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1030-1180 ACT: 19-25 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 22-30 |
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 990-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 19-27 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-31 |
Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | SAT: 960-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 26-31 |
Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1510-1560 ACT: 34-35 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 980-1200 ACT: 20-26 |
Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 860-1170 ACT: 14-24 |
Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 850-1080 ACT: 15-20 |
Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1050-1260 ACT: 20-26 |
Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 950-1190 ACT: 18-25 |
Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1030-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 30-34 |
Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 23-31 |
Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | N/A | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 20-27 |
Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 925-1243 ACT: 18-24 |
Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1260-1470 ACT: 28-32 |
Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 940-1210 ACT: 17-24 |
Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 24-31 |
Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Music Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Music Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $96,768 compared to $55,235 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,849,890 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 Teacher Education programs?
Currently 463 accredited institutions offer Music Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include SUNY College, Potsdam (109 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (91 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (83 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 Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,337 in 2010 to a peak of 4,555 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,544 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,849,890 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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