Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Music professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a music professor. Music professors usually study music, general education, specific areas, or music performance. 54% of music professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 32% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 267 real music professor resumes to see exactly what music professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for music professors are the Bob Jones University and the Bob Jones University.
There are also many online music professor courses to help get the education required to be a music professor.
What education do you need to become a music professor?
What degree do you need to be a music professor?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Master's, 32%
- Doctorate, 6%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a music professor?
Most common colleges for music professors
| Music professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bob Jones University | 6.98% |
| Florida State University | 6.98% |
| Florida Atlantic University | 6.98% |
| Indiana University South Bend | 6.98% |
| San Jose State University | 6.98% |
Best majors for music professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music | 61.6% |
| 2 | General Education, Specific Areas | 15.3% |
| 3 | Music Performance | 3.7% |
| 4 | Theatre | 2.1% |
| 5 | Education | 2.1% |
Best colleges for music professors
The best colleges for music professors are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A music professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for music professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become music professors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for music professors
Advertising disclosure
1. Adventures in Classical Music-Music Appreciation for All!
Understand and enjoy classical music at your own pace. A music history course, including a music theory introduction...
2. Music Theory Comprehensive: Part 1 - How To Read Music
A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This is Part 1: Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation...
3. Orchestral Music Composition & Music Theory for Video Games
Learn orchestral video game music composition & game composer music theory secrets to compose music for any video game!...
4. Music Theory
An in-depth and straight forward approach to understanding music...
5. Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide
This is the only Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers you will ever need. Learn Music Theory the Easy & Quick Way...
6. Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory
Music Composition - The Ultimate Guide to Piano, Chords & Music Theory for Producers, Film Composers & Songwriters...
7. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 4, 5, & 6
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
8. Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3
Electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. Learn music theory with ableton live and more!...
9. Music Producer Masterclass: Make Electronic Music
Compose Music At A Professional level. Learn FL studio From Beginner To Expert Level. Become A Music Producer...
10. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 7, 8, & 9
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
11. Music Theory - Fundamentals for Composition in Any Genre
Expand your music composition skills through learning universal music theory principles, mindset, and ear training...
12. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
13. Music Theory for Electronic Producers - The Complete Course!
Join Successful students in Music Theory for Electronic Producers for Creating, Arranging, and Analysing Music Theory...
14. Game Music Composition: Make Music For Games From Scratch
Learn to compose music for any and every type of video game, from complete beginner to competent game music composer...
15. Complete Electronic Music Production for EDM Music Producers
EDM: Learn professional electronic music production techniques from an expert electronic music producer - produce EDM!...
16. Music Production + Mixing Music in Presonus Studio One
Learn Presonus Studio One + Music Production in this Complete Course for Creating, Recording, Mixing Music + Mastering...
17. Music Theory ABRSM Grade 5
Updated for 2018! Learn how to Pass the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and enjoy the process!...
18. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Parts 1, 2, & 3)
A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This edition of the course includes levels 1, 2, & 3...
19. Music Composition 1: Myths, Techniques, and Getting Started
Demystifying Music Composition Through Practical Exercises and Techniques for the Modern Composer and Songwriter...
20. Electronic Music Primer
Get started making electronic music today!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for music professors
The most affordable schools for music professors are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for music professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for music professors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for music professors
The hardest universities for music professors to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for music professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for music professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for music professors
The easiest schools for music professors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a music professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for music professors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
10. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
Average music professor salary by education level
| Music professor education level | Music professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $49,618 |
| Doctorate Degree | $60,788 |
Music professor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for music professor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025