Music Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study and performance of music including theory, composition, and applied techniques.
Starting Salary
$40K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
9 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5.5%
rate
Music Overview
Study and performance of music including theory, composition, and applied techniques.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
45%
Lifetime Premium
$100K
Female Graduates
48%
Music Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,000
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,000
after scholarships
ROI Payback
4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$82,000
Lifetime earnings premium ($100,000) minus net degree cost ($18,000)
Music Salary Progression
Common Music Careers
Musician
Music Director
Composer
Music Teacher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Music
#1
Juilliard
#2
Berklee
#3
Curtis
#4
Eastman
#5
New England Conservatory
Related Majors
Music Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Music Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for music programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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