Music

10 schools compared · Average earnings $23,615/yr

What Music Graduates Do

A music degree opens doors to the classroom, the studio, and the stage. You could find yourself leading a high school band through a complex piece, spending your days running rehearsals, teaching theory, and organizing concerts. Alternatively, you might enter the world of production and performance. As a sound engineering tech, you’ll be hands-on with mixers and microphones at live events. As a performing musician, your work is a mix of disciplined practice, collaborating in the studio, and connecting with audiences during gigs.

Your career will likely begin with foundational roles like student teaching, interning at a studio, or playing smaller local shows. With experience, you can advance to a lead teacher, become an in-demand session musician, or run the sound for major tours. While starting pay is often modest, experienced specialists and postsecondary educators can earn a strong, stable income.

The demand for skilled music professionals is steady, especially for educators and versatile performers. While AI tools can assist with composing and arranging, they cannot replicate the hands-on skill of an expert technician or the human energy of a live performance.

Schools Offering
10
Avg Grad Earnings
$23,615/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
30/100
AI-Proof Rating
Resilient
51% of tasks AI-shielded
Apprenticeship Paths
3

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Music. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Musician
RAPIDS 2080CB
Competency Competency 1.1%
Recording Engineer
RAPIDS 926
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $48K$66,430$100K -1.7%
Sound Mixer
RAPIDS 527
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $48K$66,430$100K -1.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Music

10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Valencia College
Orlando, FL
46
41–48
$22,985/yr 51.3x
2 International College of Broadcasting
Dayton, OH
44
40–47
$35,491/yr 11.7x
3 Atlanta Institute of Music and Media
Duluth, GA
41
36–44
$24,109/yr
4 Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, CA
39
34–42
$21,399/yr
5 American InterContinental University System
Chandler, AZ
37
32–39
$22,690/yr 17.4x
6 Atlanta Institute of Music and Media
Duluth, GA
37
32–40
$16,086/yr
7 Visible Music College
Memphis, TN
36
31–38
$24,993/yr 10.4x
8 American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
36
32–38
$22,690/yr 15.9x
9 American InterContinental University-Houston
Houston, TX
36
31–38
$22,690/yr 14.3x
10 Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
33
28–35
$23,018/yr 3.4x

Highest Earning Music Programs

Schools where Music graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Music

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Music.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Valencia College 51.3x $22,985/yr 46
American InterContinental University System 17.4x $22,690/yr 37
American InterContinental University-Atlanta 15.9x $22,690/yr 36
American InterContinental University-Houston 14.3x $22,690/yr 36
International College of Broadcasting 11.7x $35,491/yr 44
Visible Music College 10.4x $24,993/yr 36
Full Sail University 3.4x $23,018/yr 33

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Music degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Music graduates earn?
Across 10 schools, Music graduates earn an average of $23,615 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $16,086 to $35,491 depending on the school.
How safe is Music from automation and AI?
AI resilience for Music is classified as "Resilient." Approximately 51% of typical job tasks are hands-on — most the daily work involves skills that current AI technology cannot perform.
Where should I study Music?
Our data ranks Valencia College first among 10 Music programs. Its score of 46/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($22,985/yr), return on investment, and career durability.
What's the ROI on a Music program?
Typical graduates earn 17.8 times what they paid in tuition within a decade. This is a strong return on investment. Look at per-school ROI in the table above — averages can mask significant variation.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →