Music at Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,978/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #197 of 240 Music programs

Program Analysis

Northeastern’s music program, despite its selective institutional context, prepares graduates for a creative field where passion often drives career choices more than immediate financial upside. The robust Boston arts and education ecosystem means you’ll find opportunities in sound engineering, teaching, or arts administration, with the university's strong co-op program often providing crucial entry points into studios, performance venues, or educational institutions. These practical experiences are vital for shaping your initial career trajectory, but they also highlight the competitive nature of the industry. The noted AI risk reflects the increasing automation in production and even composition, underscoring the importance of developing uniquely human creative skills or specializing in niche areas like music therapy or interactive media sound design. You should actively leverage Northeastern's network and co-op resources to build a highly individualized portfolio and find your distinct professional niche.

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 $634K $620K $557K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,564
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$128,464
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,223
179% growth from Year 1

About Northeastern University

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to Northeastern University, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 15,719 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $128,464 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern 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 Northeastern 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

How does Northeastern University's Music program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Northeastern University Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x 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 Northeastern University?
Lower starting pay at Northeastern University 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 →