Music at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,352/yr (-35% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #144 of 240 Music programs

Program Analysis

The financial picture for CSULB Music reflects the intensely competitive and often non-traditional career landscape inherent to the arts, particularly in a high-cost-of-living region like Southern California. Many roles in music, especially performance, composition, or local teaching, are gig-based or part-time, leading to variable income. While the Long Beach area offers a vibrant arts scene and proximity to the entertainment industry, competition is fierce, and entry-level positions may not offer traditional salaries. Many graduates find themselves freelancing, teaching private lessons, or working in related fields that may not fully utilize their degree but provide stability. To thrive, you'll need to actively diversify your skills, perhaps incorporating music technology, business acumen, or pursuing teaching credentials, and relentlessly network to create your own opportunities rather than relying on established pipelines.

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 $395K $405K $390K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 14.4x 13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.4x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,050
13.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$28,306
54% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

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 State University-Long Beach

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 State University-Long Beach?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at California State University-Long Beach worth the student debt?
Median debt of $21,050 against $18,352/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 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 $390,461 in decade earnings vs $394,615 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from California State University-Long Beach?
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 →