Music at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,106/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 of 240 Music programs Top 50%

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 $461K $465K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.5x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.6x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 32 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)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,315
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,429
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,106 per year, Music graduates from Eastern Kentucky 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 11.5x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,315 represents roughly 8 months of the $30,106 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #93 of 240 Music programs, Eastern Kentucky University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,106 to $38,429 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Eastern Kentucky University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 11,674 in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky University?
A score of 32/100 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 $436,775 in decade earnings vs $461,312 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →