Music at Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $10,210/yr (-64% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #240 of 240 Music programs

Program Analysis

Baylor's music program, while offering a rich artistic education, operates within a highly competitive and often project-based labor market. Many roles, from performance to composition, demand extensive networking and self-promotion, and full-time, stable positions can be scarce, especially in the Waco area, which isn't a major hub for the broader music industry. Graduates often find themselves building a "portfolio career," blending part-time teaching, gig work, or related fields to create a sustainable income. The program's focus on artistic mastery, typical of many arts degrees, doesn't always translate directly into established career pipelines with strong initial earning potential. If you pursue this path, diligently explore complementary skills like business, marketing, or advanced digital production to significantly broaden your post-graduation options and navigate this challenging landscape.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Music graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $557K $550K $503K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,768
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
31.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,033
273% growth from Year 1

About Baylor University

Baylor University's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 15,007 students in Waco, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Baylor University →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Music at Other Schools

Other Majors at Baylor University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Baylor University?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at Baylor University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,500 against $10,210/yr starting salary means roughly 2.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $502,877 in decade earnings vs $556,504 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from Baylor University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →