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 |
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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
109 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
91 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
57 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| VanderCook College of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | vandercook.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
49 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
42 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
39 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
37 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Berklee College of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
29 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
28 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Capital University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| Anderson University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Anderson, South Carolina | Private | andersonuniversity.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Concordia College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Private | concordiacollege.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Lakeland University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | Plymouth, Wisconsin | Private | lakeland.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Master's
|
21 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Northern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Public | northern.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
20 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | 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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