Musicat Columbia University in the City of New York
Graduates earn $32,924/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $457K; scenarios range from $431K to $453K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Columbia University in the City of New York
Even with Columbia's prestigious name, a Music degree here often leads to a career path less directly tied to immediate high earnings than other fields. While your post-graduation earnings frequently exceed the national average for music graduates, this reflects the diverse, interdisciplinary skills you'll develop and the powerful Columbia network, rather than a straightforward, high-salary pipeline from music alone. The program's New York City location offers unparalleled access to the world's most vibrant arts ecosystem, connecting you with opportunities across Broadway, major recording studios, and top arts organizations, though competition is fierce. Be aware of the high AI risk; generative AI is rapidly transforming composition, production, and even performance, impacting future career landscapes. To thrive, actively seek out interdisciplinary projects and cultivate strong business or technical skills alongside your musical talents.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Columbia University in the City of New York's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Music
How Columbia University in the City of New York stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Columbia University in the City of New York
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Columbia University in the City of New York, 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 →Frequently asked about Music at Columbia University in the City of New York
What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at Columbia University in the City of New York?
At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Music at Columbia University in the City of New York?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Music at Columbia University in the City of New York?
The 71% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $276,180. At a net cost of $80,592, the earnings multiple improves substantially.