Music: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Music graduates earn a median $42,892 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Music ranks #197 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 3% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonoma State University | CA | $65,533 |
| 2 | Christopher Newport University | VA | $63,852 |
| 3 | Stevens Institute of Technology | NJ | $61,943 |
| 4 | University of Florida | FL | $61,446 |
| 5 | Northeastern University | MA | $60,974 |
| 6 | Northeastern University Professional Programs | MA | $60,974 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at El Paso | TX | $60,172 |
| 8 | University of Redlands | CA | $59,275 |
| 9 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | TX | $59,218 |
| 10 | Vanderbilt University | TN | $59,217 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Arlington | TX | $59,198 |
| 12 | Sam Houston State University | TX | $58,743 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.