Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Music theory teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a music theory teacher. Music theory teachers usually study music, general education, specific areas, or music performance. 66% of music theory teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 328 real music theory teacher resumes to see exactly what music theory teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for music theory teachers are the University of New Haven and the University of New Haven.
There are also many online music theory teacher courses to help get the education required to be a music theory teacher.
What education do you need to become a music theory teacher?
What degree do you need to be a music theory teacher?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 6%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a music theory teacher?
Most common colleges for music theory teachers
| Music theory teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of New Haven | 10.64% |
| Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico | 8.51% |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 6.38% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.38% |
| Millikin University | 6.38% |
Best majors for music theory teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music | 51.7% |
| 2 | General Education, Specific Areas | 12.8% |
| 3 | Music Performance | 6.6% |
| 4 | Education | 6.2% |
| 5 | Writing | 4.3% |
Best colleges for music theory teachers
The best colleges for music theory teachers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A music theory teacher 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 theory teachers. 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 theory teachers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
20 best online courses for music theory teachers
Advertising disclosure
1. Music Theory
An in-depth and straight forward approach to understanding music...
2. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 4, 5, & 6
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
3. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 7, 8, & 9
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
4. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
5. 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...
6. 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!...
7. 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...
8. Music Theory for Electronic Producers - The Complete Course!
Join Successful students in Music Theory for Electronic Producers for Creating, Arranging, and Analysing Music Theory...
9. 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!...
10. Music Theory ABRSM Grade 5
Updated for 2018! Learn how to Pass the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and enjoy the process!...
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. The Complete Piano & Music Theory Beginners Course
Learn all piano and music theory basics quickly, and save big on months of initial private lessons!...
13. 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...
14. Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory
Music Composition - The Ultimate Guide to Piano, Chords & Music Theory for Producers, Film Composers & Songwriters...
15. Practical Music Theory 101 For Guitar
Learn Basic Music Theory For Guitar And Master The Fretboard With Ease!...
16. The Complete Introduction To Music Theory Course
Intervals, Scales, And Chords From The Ground Up...
17. 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...
18. SONGWRITING SIMPLIFIED: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity
Songwriting for PIANO and GUITAR. Chord Progressions, Scales, Melodies, and Lyrics... with no Music Reading!...
19. Music theory for complete beginners
The fundamentals of sound in time, learn how to teach yourself to read, write basic rhythms and the skill to play them...
20. Prepare for Music Theory ABRSM 1 to 5
All you need to know to fast track to success with the ABRSM theory examinations grades 1 - 5...
Top 10 most affordable universities for music theory teachers
The most affordable schools for music theory teachers 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 theory teachers 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 theory teachers.
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. 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
8. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for music theory teachers
The hardest universities for music theory teachers to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for music theory teachers 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 theory teachers 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for music theory teachers
The easiest schools for music theory teachers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and cardinal stritch university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a music theory teacher 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 theory teachers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
8. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
9. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average music theory teacher salary by education level
| Music theory teacher education level | Music theory teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $47,438 |
| Doctorate Degree | $55,785 |
Music theory teacher education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for music theory teacher jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025