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Visual & Performing Arts · Music Rank #31 of 240

Musicat Indiana State University

Graduates earn $41,038/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $482K; scenarios range from $450K to $480K depending on AI disruption.

Terre Haute, IN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
42 AVERAGE
43
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,038
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$482K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Indiana State University

This isn't your typical music major outcome. Indiana State's program appears to be an outlier, likely due to a strong emphasis on practical, career-ready skills rather than solely performance. You'll find graduates thriving not just as performers, but significantly in roles like music educators within Indiana's school districts, where there's consistent demand. The curriculum likely integrates robust pedagogical training or technical skills such as sound engineering, preparing you for stable, well-compensated positions in schools, community arts organizations, or even corporate AV departments.

The regional labor market in Indiana consistently seeks qualified teachers and technicians, creating strong recruiting pipelines from ISU's established programs. This strong connection means you're not just earning a degree, but building a pathway into a professional career. To capitalize on this, focus on internships and student teaching opportunities early, building connections with local school administrators or sound production companies.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$450K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$482K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$480K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Indiana State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Music graduates typically work

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.

1
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
2
Sound engineering technicians
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$66,430/yr
Moderate
3
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
4
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
5
Musicians and singers
+1.1% 10-yr growth · 19,400 openings/yr
Moderate
6
Disc jockeys, except radio
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Music

How Indiana State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sam Houston State University
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Texas A & M University-Kingsville
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
The University of Texas at El Paso
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
13.4x
ROI
University of Houston
TX · Public
55
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Also at Indiana State University

Other top programs at Indiana State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana State University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Music at Indiana State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Indiana State University?

A score of 42/100 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 $450,075 in decade earnings vs $480,466 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Indiana State University's Music program stand out?

Ranked #31 of 240 programs nationally, Indiana State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.