Skip to content
CIP 13.1312 Education

Music Teacher Education

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

中文

Total graduates

4,054

2025 · 445 schools

International share

2.5%

100 international students

Bachelor's degrees

2,900

0.5% international

Master's degrees

1,072

7.0% international

Overview

Music Teacher Education is a specialized program designed to prepare individuals for a career in teaching music at various educational levels, from elementary schools to high schools. This program typically combines theoretical knowledge of music, pedagogical training, and practical teaching experience.

Students in Music Teacher Education programs study a variety of subjects, including music theory, music history, performance, and composition, alongside courses focused on educational psychology, curriculum development, and instructional methods. This comprehensive approach ensures that future music educators not only possess strong musical skills but also understand how to effectively teach and inspire students in a classroom setting.

Many programs require students to participate in ensembles and to develop proficiency in multiple musical instruments or vocal techniques. Fieldwork is also a critical component, allowing students to gain hands-on teaching experience in real classroom environments. This practical experience helps students learn how to manage a classroom, design lesson plans, and engage students of varying skill levels.

Upon graduation, individuals with a degree in Music Teacher Education often obtain teaching certification, allowing them to work in public and private schools. Additionally, they may find opportunities in community music programs, music camps, or private instruction. The demand for qualified music educators remains steady, as music education is recognized for its benefits in enhancing creativity, discipline, and cognitive skills among students. Overall, Music Teacher Education is a fulfilling pathway for those passionate about sharing their love of music with future generations.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 7% and the international share went from 3.0% to 2.5%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
72.2%
Asian
2.8%
Hispanic
11.3%
Black
4.8%
Other
6.4%
Intl.
2.5%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 445 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#9 Northwestern University Illinois 10 0
#9 Johns Hopkins University Maryland 7 3
#16 Vanderbilt University Tennessee 12 0
#20 University of California-Los Angeles California 9 0
#25 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan 26 1
#31 New York University New York 21 3
#34 University of Florida Florida 45 2
#34 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Illinois 49 1
#34 Boston University Massachusetts 64 10
#34 The University of Texas at Austin Texas 3 0
#34 University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin 4 0
#44 Case Western Reserve University Ohio 8 0
#44 Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio 26 1
#49 University of Maryland-College Park Maryland 10 0
#49 University of Rochester New York 11 2
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 3 0
#52 University of Georgia Georgia 43 0
#55 University of Miami Florida 12 2
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 20 1
#59 Florida State University Florida 63 2
#59 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minnesota 6 0
#72 Syracuse University New York 13 0
#73 University of Connecticut Connecticut 9 0
#73 Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana 34 2
#85 University of Delaware Delaware 24 0
#85 University at Buffalo New York 14 0
#85 Southern Methodist University Texas 9 0
#90 Baylor University Texas 25 0
#90 Texas Christian University Texas 28 0
#90 Gonzaga University Washington 1 0
#100 Auburn University Alabama 22 0
#100 Chapman University California 11 0
#100 Florida International University Florida 5 0
#100 University of South Florida-Main Campus Florida 24 0
#100 University of Iowa Iowa 13 0
#100 Elon University North Carolina 2 0
#109 University of Colorado Boulder Colorado 10 0
#109 Temple University Pennsylvania 35 2
#116 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Oklahoma 27 0
#116 University of Oregon Oregon 17 0
#116 Brigham Young University-Provo Utah 23 0
#121 Arizona State University-Tempe Arizona 23 3
#121 University of Arizona Arizona 14 0
#121 University of the Pacific California 9 0
#121 University of Central Florida Florida 14 1
#121 University of Dayton Ohio 3 0
#121 University of South Carolina-Columbia South Carolina 5 0
#121 George Mason University Virginia 1 0
#133 Miami University-Oxford Ohio 14 0
#133 University of Vermont Vermont 2 0
#137 San Jose State University California 8 0
#148 Mercer University Georgia 6 0
#148 University of Kansas Kansas 25 1
#148 University of Kentucky Kentucky 25 0
#148 University of Tulsa Oklahoma 3 0
#156 The University of Alabama Alabama 18 0
#156 Florida A&M University Florida 10 0
#156 Kansas State University Kansas 10 0
#156 University of St Thomas (MN) Minnesota 9 0
#156 Duquesne University Pennsylvania 13 0
#169 Bradley University Illinois 4 0
#169 DePaul University Illinois 13 0
#169 Butler University Indiana 15 0
#169 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska 28 0
#179 University of Louisville Kentucky 13 0
#179 CUNY Hunter College New York 10 0
#179 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Ohio 19 3
#186 Texas Tech University Texas 7 1
#191 Samford University Alabama 3 0
#191 University of Arkansas Arkansas 16 0
#191 Florida Atlantic University Florida 2 0
#191 Drake University Iowa 4 0
#191 Rowan University New Jersey 12 0
#191 Adelphi University New York 8 0
#191 Hofstra University New York 15 0
#191 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Oklahoma 14 0
#202 Sacred Heart University Connecticut 2 0
#202 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Louisiana 11 0
#202 East Carolina University North Carolina 15 0
#202 University of St. Thomas (TX) Texas 4 0
#208 University of Idaho Idaho 6 0
#208 Mississippi State University Mississippi 24 0
#208 University of North Carolina at Greensboro North Carolina 32 0
#208 Ohio Northern University Ohio 2 0
#208 Xavier University Ohio 3 0
#208 Belmont University Tennessee 10 0
#208 University of North Texas Texas 9 0
#219 Illinois State University Illinois 41 0
#219 University of Nevada-Reno Nevada 5 0
#219 University of North Carolina--Wilmington North Carolina 3 0
#227 Ball State University Indiana 25 0
#227 University of North Dakota North Dakota 3 1
#227 West Chester University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 9 0
#236 University of North Florida Florida 19 0
#236 Stetson University Florida 10 0
#236 University of New Mexico-Main Campus New Mexico 11 0
#236 Kent State University at Kent Ohio 46 0
#236 Pacific University Oregon 2 0
#236 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 14 0
#236 University of Texas-Arlington Texas 1 0
#250 University of Missouri--Kansas City Missouri 9 0
#250 New Mexico State University-Main Campus New Mexico 7 0
#250 South Dakota State University South Dakota 15 0
#250 University of Wyoming Wyoming 7 0
#262 University of Maine Maine 8 0
#262 Andrews University Michigan 1 1
#262 Central Michigan University Michigan 29 0
#262 George Fox University Oregon 1 0
#262 University of South Dakota South Dakota 9 0
#276 Northern Arizona University Arizona 29 0
#276 Harding University Arkansas 5 0
#276 California Baptist University California 9 0
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 25 0
#276 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Ohio 23 0
#288 University of Hartford Connecticut 19 1
#288 University of Indianapolis Indiana 3 0
#288 Wichita State University Kansas 25 1
#288 Texas State University Texas 1 0
#288 Utah State University Utah 10 0
#288 Shenandoah University Virginia 13 0
#288 University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee Wisconsin 5 0
#299 Boise State University Idaho 10 0
#299 University of Nebraska--Omaha Nebraska 8 0
#299 Concordia University Wisconsin Wisconsin 1 0
#308 Oakland University Michigan 13 0
#308 University of Southern Mississippi Mississippi 23 0
#308 Montana State University Montana 25 1
#308 Abilene Christian University Texas 10 0
#308 University of the Incarnate Word Texas 5 0
#317 Kean University New Jersey 2 0
#317 University of Mary North Dakota 1 0
#317 Emory & Henry University Virginia 1 0
#317 Augusta University Georgia 4 0
#328 Georgia Southern University Georgia 15 0
#328 Old Dominion University Virginia 5 0
#332 Jacksonville University Florida 6 0
#342 University of Northern Colorado Colorado 26 0
#342 Mississippi College Mississippi 2 0
#342 Missouri State University Missouri 15 0
#342 Campbell University North Carolina 1 0
#342 University of Akron Ohio 16 0
#342 Kennesaw State University Georgia 20 0
#353 Arkansas State University Arkansas 11 0
#353 University of Michigan--Flint Michigan 3 0
#353 Plymouth State University New Hampshire 2 0
#353 Youngstown State University Ohio 20 1
#353 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 2 0
#365 University of Central Arkansas Arkansas 20 0
#365 Indiana State University Indiana 14 0
#365 Northern Kentucky University Kentucky 11 0
#365 University of Louisiana--Monroe Louisiana 2 0
#365 Jackson State University Mississippi 11 0
#365 William Carey University Mississippi 33 0
#365 Gardner-Webb University North Carolina 2 0
#365 Eastern Washington University Washington 50 0
#376 University of Bridgeport Connecticut 7 0
#376 Concordia University-Saint Paul Minnesota 3 0
#382 University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska 3 0
#382 Grand Canyon University Arizona 6 0
#382 Palm Beach Atlantic University Florida 2 0
#382 Southeastern University Florida 3 1
#382 Columbus State University Georgia 7 0
#382 Valdosta State University Georgia 10 0
#382 Idaho State University Idaho 8 0
#382 Concordia University-Chicago Illinois 1 0
#382 Roosevelt University Illinois 3 0
#382 University of Southern Maine Maine 9 0
#382 Wright State University-Main Campus Ohio 6 0
#382 Northeastern State University Oklahoma 2 0
#382 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Oklahoma 4 0
#382 Dallas Baptist University Texas 2 0
#382 Houston Christian University Texas 2 0
#382 Tarleton State University Texas 2 0
#382 Texas Wesleyan University Texas 3 0
LAC #29 Bucknell University Pennsylvania 1 0
LAC #49 DePauw University Indiana 6 0
LAC #49 St. Olaf College Minnesota 18 0
LAC #54 Gettysburg College Pennsylvania 3 0
LAC #57 Wheaton College (IL) Illinois 6 1
LAC #57 Furman University South Carolina 7 0
LAC #62 Lake Forest College Illinois 1 0
LAC #68 Lawrence University Wisconsin 8 0
LAC #78 Saint Mary's College Indiana 3 0
LAC #78 Hope College Michigan 2 0
LAC #85 Susquehanna University Pennsylvania 7 0
LAC #91 Augustana College Illinois 8 0
LAC #91 College of Wooster Ohio 5 0
LAC #91 Southwestern University Texas 3 0
LAC #97 Austin College Texas 1 0
LAC #100 University of Puget Sound Washington 3 0
LAC #106 Pacific Lutheran University Washington 9 0
LAC #111 Whitworth University Washington 1 0
LAC #119 Albion College Michigan 1 0
LAC #119 Meredith College North Carolina 1 0
LAC #119 Ripon College Wisconsin 4 0
LAC #132 Saint Norbert College Wisconsin 4 0
LAC #138 Truman State University Missouri 5 0
LAC #142 Houghton University New York 4 2
LAC #146 Gordon College Massachusetts 7 0
LAC #146 Claflin University South Carolina 1 0
LAC #146 Fisk University Tennessee 2 0
LAC #166 Gods Bible School and College Ohio 1 0
LAC #172 Brigham Young University-Idaho Idaho 10 0
LAC #180 Alabama State University Alabama 2 0
LAC #181 Bethune-Cookman University Florida 1 0
LAC #184 Young Harris College Georgia 5 0
LAC #184 Utah Tech University Utah 3 0
— SUNY College at Potsdam New York 89 0
— Teachers College at Columbia University New York 76 24
— SUNY at Fredonia New York 69 0
— Longy School of Music of Bard College Massachusetts 66 12
— VanderCook College of Music Illinois 50 0
— Ithaca College New York 35 0
— Georgia College & State University Georgia 33 0
— Towson University Maryland 28 0
— Berklee College of Music Massachusetts 26 6
— CUNY Queens College New York 26 0
— Appalachian State University North Carolina 26 0
— University of Northern Iowa Iowa 24 1
— Nazareth University New York 24 0
— University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Wisconsin 24 0
— Capital University Ohio 22 0
— Rider University New Jersey 20 0
— Central Washington University Washington 20 0
— Western Connecticut State University Connecticut 19 0
— Elmhurst University Illinois 18 0
— Fort Hays State University Kansas 18 0
— Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 18 0
— Lebanon Valley College Pennsylvania 17 0
— Concordia College at Moorhead Minnesota 16 0
— Baldwin Wallace University Ohio 16 0
— Arkansas Tech University Arkansas 15 1
— Wartburg College Iowa 15 0
— Southeast Missouri State University Missouri 15 0
— Northern State University South Dakota 15 1
— West Texas A & M University Texas 14 0
— Eastern Michigan University Michigan 13 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 1,065,210 — $76,320
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 620,090 — $72,030
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Education Teachers, Postsecondary 60,830 — $79,350

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.