Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $18,453 place Cornish College of the Arts below the $28,116 national median for Music — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Music's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,500 against $18,453/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.4 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #232 of 240 Music programs, Cornish College of the Arts falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $18,453 to $25,141 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.