Musicat New York University
Graduates earn $24,398/yr in their first year — about 13.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $456K; scenarios range from $430K to $452K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at New York University
A music degree from NYU places you at the epicenter of the global arts and entertainment industry, offering unparalleled networking and performance opportunities within New York City. The initial earnings figures reflect the highly competitive, often project-based nature of creative fields. Many graduates enter roles like freelance musicians, composers, or sound engineers, where building a sustainable income takes time and significant self-promotion, rather than stepping into a traditional salaried position.
The "high AI risk" is particularly relevant for roles involving sound engineering, digital composition, or routine production tasks, as artificial intelligence tools increasingly automate parts of these processes. However, your education at NYU provides a strong foundation in theory and performance that is harder to replicate. To maximize your return, actively cultivate a diverse skillset, leveraging NYU's strong connections to intern with major record labels, production houses, or Broadway shows. Focus on developing unique creative voices and live performance skills, which remain invaluable.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to New York University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Music
How New York University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at New York University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at New York 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 →Frequently asked about Music at New York University
What does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at New York University?
At 18/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Music degree from New York University?
At $25,000 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Music at New York University?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.