Music at East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,004/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #135 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 $441K $446K $423K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.2x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 8.1x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 18
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,800
Out-of-state: $55,160 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,176
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,436
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

At $30,004 per year, Music graduates from East Tennessee State University earn slightly above the $28,116 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Music programs nationally.

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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,004 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #135 of 240 Music programs, East Tennessee State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About East Tennessee State University

With 87% of applicants admitted, East Tennessee State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State 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 East Tennessee State University

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 East Tennessee State University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $422,694 in decade earnings vs $441,037 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →