Music at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,830/yr (52% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #63 of 240 Music programs Top 50%

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 $492K $492K $458K
Earnings Multiple 9.7x 9.7x 9.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 24
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$50,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,636
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,250
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,511
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

At $42,830 per year, Music graduates from Northern Illinois University significantly outpace the $28,116 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,250 debt-to-$42,830 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #63 out of 240 programs, Northern Illinois University's Music offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Northern Illinois University

With 70% of applicants admitted, Northern Illinois University prioritizes broad access, serving 11,277 students in Dekalb, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois 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 Northern Illinois University's Music program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →