Music at Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $15,911/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #167 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 $531K $527K $485K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.2x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.3x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,160
Out-of-state: $161,928 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,368
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,539
15.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,250
166% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $15,911/yr fall 43% below the $28,116 national median for Music. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 11.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,539 debt load exceeds a year of the $15,911 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #167 out of 240 programs, Indiana University-Bloomington's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $15,911 to $42,250 over five years (166% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Indiana University-Bloomington

Indiana University-Bloomington has a 80% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 36,571 students enrolled in Bloomington, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Bloomington →

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 Indiana University-Bloomington

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

How does Indiana University-Bloomington's Music program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Indiana University-Bloomington Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Music earnings lower at Indiana University-Bloomington?
Lower starting pay at Indiana University-Bloomington may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →