Music: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 314 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$274,456 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−106%Modeled 10-year ROI
$43,385Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$43,385Median reported earnings · year 4
$41,006Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,000Median federal debt
8thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
314Reporting programs
275With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $35,327
- Federal debt
- $9,500
- Reporting programs
- 10
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $36,153
- Federal debt
- $19,687
- Reporting programs
- 13
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $43,385
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 314
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $35,623
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,357
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 98
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,796
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 30
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,223National median$43,38575th percentile$49,145
275 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Sonoma State University$65,5332Christopher Newport University$63,8523Stevens Institute of Technology$61,9434University of Florida$61,4465Northeastern University$60,9746Northeastern University Professional Programs$60,9747The University of Texas at El Paso$60,1728University of Redlands$59,2759The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley$59,21810Vanderbilt University$59,217Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1121 · 16 crosswalk linksMusicians and SingersSOC 27-2042 · 11 crosswalk linksMusic Directors and ComposersSOC 27-2041 · 8 crosswalk linksDisc Jockeys, Except RadioSOC 27-2091 · 1 crosswalk linksSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationSOC 25-2031 · 1 crosswalk linksSound Engineering TechniciansSOC 27-4014 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonoma State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rohnert Park, CA | $65,533 | Not available | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor's Degree | Newport News, VA | $63,852 | Not available | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Stevens Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Hoboken, NJ | $61,943 | $27,000 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $61,446 | Not available | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $60,974 | $26,568 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $60,974 | $26,568 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 7 | The University of Texas at El PasoBachelor's Degree | El Paso, TX | $60,172 | $14,612 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | University of RedlandsBachelor's Degree | Redlands, CA | $59,275 | $27,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyBachelor's Degree | Edinburg, TX | $59,218 | $20,920 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Vanderbilt UniversityBachelor's Degree | Nashville, TN | $59,217 | $21,500 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | $59,198 | $24,911 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Sam Houston State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Huntsville, TX | $58,743 | $28,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillBachelor's Degree | Chapel Hill, NC | $58,127 | $19,000 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | University of California, San DiegoBachelor's Degree | La Jolla, CA | $58,071 | $18,938 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Texas A&M University-KingsvilleBachelor's Degree | Kingsville, TX | $57,117 | $31,000 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $57,043 | $27,816 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Texas Woman's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $56,884 | $25,810 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Hofstra UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hempstead, NY | $56,847 | $26,500 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Tarleton State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stephenville, TX | $56,671 | $27,000 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $56,667 | $26,000 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $56,104 | $25,000 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $56,104 | $25,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $56,104 | $25,000 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $56,104 | $25,000 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $56,104 | $25,000 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Rutgers University-CamdenBachelor's Degree | Camden, NJ | $56,008 | $26,000 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $56,008 | $26,000 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $56,008 | $26,000 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | University of North TexasBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $55,705 | $24,456 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Monmouth UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Long Branch, NJ | $55,526 | $26,411 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | East Texas A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Commerce, TX | $55,438 | $27,101 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | University of Nevada-Las VegasBachelor's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $55,161 | $31,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $54,767 | $20,500 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Lebanon Valley CollegeBachelor's Degree | Annville, PA | $54,235 | $26,846 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Lamar UniversityBachelor's Degree | Beaumont, TX | $53,904 | $26,407 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $53,878 | $24,570 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Northwestern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Evanston, IL | $53,875 | $18,166 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Nashville, TN | $53,483 | Not available | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | University of Massachusetts-LowellBachelor's Degree | Lowell, MA | $53,384 | $27,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Texas A&M International UniversityBachelor's Degree | Laredo, TX | $52,870 | Not available | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $52,841 | $25,000 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | University of Rhode IslandBachelor's Degree | Kingston, RI | $52,346 | $23,125 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Nacogdoches, TX | $52,341 | $27,000 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $52,320 | $26,241 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Furman UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greenville, SC | $52,225 | $20,830 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $52,132 | $26,750 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Old Dominion UniversityBachelor's Degree | Norfolk, VA | $52,028 | $26,000 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Harrisonburg, VA | $51,882 | $20,968 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Ithaca CollegeBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $51,338 | $27,000 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $51,310 | $27,000 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Rhode Island CollegeBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $51,090 | $14,133 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Central Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ellensburg, WA | $51,008 | $26,000 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Luther CollegeBachelor's Degree | Decorah, IA | $50,947 | $27,000 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Biola UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Mirada, CA | $50,781 | $26,417 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $50,680 | $27,000 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Florida International UniversityBachelor's Degree | Miami, FL | $50,677 | $14,882 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $50,544 | $24,625 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montclair, NJ | $50,418 | $27,000 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Wayne State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $50,340 | $26,000 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | University of IowaBachelor's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $50,180 | $27,783 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteBachelor's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $49,761 | $25,858 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Indiana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $49,711 | $27,000 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $49,555 | Not available | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Vermont State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Randolph, VT | $49,438 | Not available | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $49,240 | $16,500 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Eastern Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Charleston, IL | $49,236 | $26,300 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | San Francisco Conservatory of MusicBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $49,186 | $27,000 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $49,145 | $25,334 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Allendale, MI | $49,111 | $29,198 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | West Texas A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Canyon, TX | $48,656 | $24,750 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Indiana University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Indiana, PA | $48,630 | $27,956 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | University of DenverBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $48,461 | $24,250 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | University of Silicon ValleyBachelor's Degree | San Jose, CA | $48,360 | Not available | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $48,226 | $25,000 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $48,028 | $27,000 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $47,990 | $25,373 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | California State University, Long BeachBachelor's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $47,831 | $20,550 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $47,779 | $23,119 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | University of St ThomasBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $47,724 | Not available | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $47,654 | $21,614 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Radford UniversityBachelor's Degree | Radford, VA | $47,586 | $27,000 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Jacksonville State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Jacksonville, AL | $47,582 | $27,500 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $47,521 | $19,455 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $47,448 | $27,000 | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Northern Kentucky UniversityBachelor's Degree | Highland Heights, KY | $47,343 | $27,357 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Rowan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Glassboro, NJ | $47,208 | $26,500 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $47,164 | $26,000 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireBachelor's Degree | Eau Claire, WI | $47,079 | $26,637 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | University of New HavenBachelor's Degree | West Haven, CT | $47,057 | $27,000 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $46,765 | $24,048 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | North Central CollegeBachelor's Degree | Naperville, IL | $46,744 | Not available | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $46,701 | $23,453 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | University of TulsaBachelor's Degree | Tulsa, OK | $46,662 | $21,500 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Frostburg State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Frostburg, MD | $46,546 | Not available | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $46,532 | $27,000 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Mercer UniversityBachelor's Degree | Macon, GA | $46,502 | Not available | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | University of Central ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Conway, AR | $46,446 | $29,139 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $46,352 | $27,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Tennessee Technological UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cookeville, TN | $46,253 | $17,500 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Duquesne UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,217 | $27,000 | -96% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.