Music at California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
15 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
15
Optimistic
15
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,896/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #230 of 240 Music programs

Program Analysis

CalArts' Music program cultivates unique artistic voices, often leading graduates into independent performance, experimental composition, or interdisciplinary art. Your initial earnings reflect the project-based reality of these highly competitive fields, where building a sustainable career demands significant time and entrepreneurial drive, particularly within the dynamic Los Angeles creative landscape. This institution prioritizes artistic exploration and avant-garde approaches, meaning many graduates aren't immediately entering traditional, high-salary roles, but rather forging their own paths in a gig economy. While some find stability in teaching or sound engineering, the early years are often about intense networking and establishing your creative identity. To thrive, you'll need to proactively build your professional network and cultivate a versatile skillset, ready to diversify your income streams through a blend of creative projects and related work.

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 $451K $455K $430K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 15 15 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$226,896
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$188,732
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,376
71% growth from Year 1

About California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts admits 26% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a smaller student body of 881 in Valencia, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Institute of the Arts →

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 California Institute of the Arts

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at California Institute of the Arts?
A score of 15/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at California Institute of the Arts worth the student debt?
Median debt of $19,500 against $18,896/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 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 $429,647 in decade earnings vs $451,047 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from California Institute of the Arts?
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 →