Program Analysis
Ithaca College's Music graduates start at $23,119/yr, trailing the $28,116 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
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 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,000 against $23,119/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #206 of 240 Music programs, Ithaca College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $47,526 show a 106% jump from the $23,119 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.