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Music at Rhode Island College

Providence, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,549/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 of 240 Music programs Top 25%

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 $505K $504K $467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.5x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,944
Out-of-state: $106,076 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,952
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,133
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,042
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Rhode Island College's Music graduates start at $34,549/yr — above the $28,116 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 11.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Music career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,133 in median debt clears quickly against $34,549 in annual earnings.

Rhode Island College ranks #40 among 240 Music programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 42% earnings increase from $34,549 to $49,042 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Rhode Island College

A 81% acceptance rate means Rhode Island College is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,630 students in Providence, RI. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhode Island College →

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 Rhode Island College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,235) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($60,999) Computer Science ($60,361) Special Education and Teaching ($50,060) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($49,825) Accounting and Related Services ($48,921) Management Information Systems and Services ($47,857) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,789)

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

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at Rhode Island College?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Music at Rhode Island College?
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.
Is Rhode Island College one of the best schools for Music?
Among 240 Music programs, Rhode Island College's #40 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →