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2024 Best Music Education Schools

397 Colleges in the United States
4,761 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded
A degree in music education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #151 out of 1506 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 397 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of music education. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 4,761 degrees in music education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Music Education School

Best Music Education Schools The music teacher education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Music Education rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for music education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Music Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Music Teacher Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Music Teacher Education
Master's Degrees in Music Teacher Education
Doctor's Degrees in Music Teacher Education

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Music Education Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Music Education in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the music teacher education degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Music Teacher Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NY
83 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Teachers College at Columbia University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in music education. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.

There were about 83 music education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Teachers College at Columbia University

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In WA

Any student pursuing a degree in music education needs to check out Western Washington University. WWU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bellingham. This university ranks 5th out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were about 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at WWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Western Washington University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
46 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat University of Georgia if you wish to pursue a degree in music education. Located in the medium-sized city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 46 music education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Georgia

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NE

It is difficult to beat University of Nebraska - Lincoln if you wish to pursue a degree in music education. UNL is a very large public university located in the city of Lincoln. This university ranks 2nd out of 19 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.

There were about 22 music education students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In CA

USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 1 music education students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Southern California

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In UT
17.9% Growth in Graduates

BYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Provo. This university ranks 1st out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Brigham Young University - Provo

6
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In NY
42 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 42 music education students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from New York University

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
65 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 65 music education students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Florida

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DE

UD is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Newark. This university ranks 1st out of 4 colleges for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were roughly 17 music education students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Delaware

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MD

UMCP is a very large public university located in the suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were about 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Maryland - College Park

10
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
88 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were roughly 88 music education students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Boston University

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In CA

Located in the large city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 59th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 2 music education students who graduated with this degree at Fresno Pacific in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Fresno Pacific University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In KY
21.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Louisville, UofL is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 38 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were roughly 19 music education students who graduated with this degree at UofL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Louisville

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
39 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 39 music education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IN

Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were about 22 music education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Ball State University

15
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
18th Most Popular In NY

Brooklyn College is a large public college located in the large city of Brooklyn. This college ranks 34th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 18 music education students who graduated with this degree at Brooklyn College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Brooklyn College

16
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NY
47 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Queens, QC is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 26th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 47 music education students who graduated with this degree at QC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Queens College

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
29.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means TCU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 27 music education students who graduated with this degree at TCU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Texas Christian University

18
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In NY
14.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 19th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 14 music education students who graduated with this degree at Hunter in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Hunter College

19
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In TN

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 8 music education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Vanderbilt University

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In OH

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 22 music education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Ohio State University - Main Campus

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH
3.7% Growth in Graduates

Miami University - Oxford is a large public university located in the town of Oxford. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 27 music education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from Miami University - Oxford

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
7.1% Growth in Graduates

Baylor is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Waco. This university ranks 7th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at Baylor in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Baylor University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IN
42 Music Teacher Education Degrees Awarded

IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the city of Bloomington. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were about 42 music education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music education from Indiana University - Bloomington

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IA
9.1% Growth in Graduates

Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #84 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were about 11 music education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music education from University of Iowa

Rest of the Top Best Music Education Schools

26
27
28
29
Lehman crest
Lehman College
Bronx, NY
30
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
31
32

33
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA

34
35
36
37
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
38
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
39
40
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
41
Providence crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

42

43
44
45
46
47
48
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
49
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
50
Hofstra crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Music Education Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 397 different United States music education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Illinois State University Normal, IL
52 Bradley University Peoria, IL
53 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
54 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
55 Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN
56 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
57 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
58 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
59 Towson University Towson, MD

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Music Education students that almost earned our Best Music Education Schools award.

Rank College Location
60 Wayne State College Wayne, NE
61 Valley City State University Valley City, ND
61 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
62 Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI
63 Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN
64 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
65 Emporia State University Emporia, KS
66 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
67 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
68 Manhattanville College Purchase, NY
69 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
70 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
71 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
72 Minot State University Minot, ND
73 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
74 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
75 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA
76 Auburn University Auburn, AL
77 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
78 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS
79 Utah Valley University Orem, UT

Music Education by Region

View the Best Music Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Music Education is one of 37 different types of Teacher Education Subject Specific programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Physical Education Teaching & Coaching 8,121
Reading Teacher Education 6,490
Mathematics Education 3,395
English & Language Arts Education 3,113
Other Teacher Education & Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas 2,335
Social Studies Education 1,968
Art Education 1,837
Health Education 1,801
Science Education 1,371
Agricultural Teacher Education 1,130

View All Music Teacher Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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