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Visual & Performing Arts · Music Rank #33 of 240

Musicat Austin Peay State University

Graduates earn $39,008/yr in their first year — about 39.0% above the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $479K; scenarios range from $448K to $477K depending on AI disruption.

Clarksville, TN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
42 AVERAGE
43
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,008
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$479K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Austin Peay State University

The strong earnings for Austin Peay's music program likely reflect its strategic location. Clarksville sits within easy reach of Nashville, "Music City," offering unparalleled access to a dynamic and diverse music industry. This isn't just about performing; it means abundant opportunities in sound engineering, studio production, music education, and composition for media, often with established local labels, touring companies, and performance venues.

Your career path here could involve leveraging this regional market for early-career roles that often command higher pay than in less centralized areas. Graduates are well-positioned to step into teaching positions within the strong local school systems or contribute to Nashville’s thriving production scene. Given the high AI risk in music, actively building a diverse portfolio, networking extensively within the regional industry, and specializing in hands-on production or interdisciplinary roles will be crucial for your long-term success.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$448K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple12.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$479K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple13.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$477K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple13.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Austin Peay State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Music graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
2
Sound engineering technicians
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$66,430/yr
Moderate
3
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
4
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
5
Musicians and singers
+1.1% 10-yr growth · 19,400 openings/yr
Moderate
6
Disc jockeys, except radio
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Music

How Austin Peay State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sam Houston State University
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Texas A & M University-Kingsville
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
The University of Texas at El Paso
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
13.4x
ROI
University of Houston
TX · Public
55
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Also at Austin Peay State University

Other top programs at Austin Peay State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Austin Peay State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Music offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Music at Austin Peay State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Austin Peay State University?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Music careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,605 in decade earnings vs $476,907 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Austin Peay State University's Music program stand out?

Ranked #33 of 240 programs nationally, Austin Peay State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.