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Music at Northwest University

Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,179/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #137 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 $446K $451K $426K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.1x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$144,140
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$100,644
30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $31,179 per year, Music graduates from Northwest University earn slightly above the $28,116 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 3.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$31,179 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #137 out of 240 programs, Northwest University's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Northwest University

With 88% of applicants admitted, Northwest University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 642 students in Kirkland, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $100,644 — 30% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwest 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

Compare this program → View all 240 schools offering Music →

Music at Other Schools

Sam Houston State University ($59,926) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ($56,373) Texas A & M University-Kingsville ($56,072) The University of Texas at El Paso ($56,062) University of Houston ($52,799) Texas A & M University-Commerce ($52,282) Texas State University ($51,158) West Texas A & M University ($50,881)

Other Majors at Northwest University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,504) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($54,779) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($49,499) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($45,209) Theological and Ministerial Studies ($41,139) Psychology, General ($30,547)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest University's Music program score?
This program scores 28/100 — 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 →