Music at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,532/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #136 of 240 Music programs

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 $455K $459K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.5x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,768
Out-of-state: $107,084 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,860
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
12.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,760
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,532/yr, Music graduates from Central Washington University land near the $28,116 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,532 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #136 out of 240 programs, Central Washington University's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $25,532 to $35,760 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Central Washington University

With 90% of applicants admitted, Central Washington University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington 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 Central Washington 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

How does Central Washington University's Music program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Central Washington University Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →