Musicat State University of New York at Cortland
Graduates earn $18,380/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $405K; scenarios range from $391K to $395K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at State University of New York at Cortland
The earnings data for music majors at SUNY Cortland often points to career paths in music education or community-based roles rather than high-earning performance or production. Upstate New York’s labor market, while stable for teaching positions, offers fewer high-paying opportunities for professional musicians, composers, or sound engineers compared to major metropolitan hubs. Many graduates find fulfilling careers in K-12 schools, where public sector salaries are generally modest and tied to regional pay scales.
This program typically prepares you for a meaningful, if not lucrative, contribution to the arts. Given the high AI risk to certain creative roles, diversifying your skill set is critical. Consider pairing your music studies with business acumen, digital media skills, or even a minor in a complementary field like arts administration or education technology to broaden your appeal and secure your financial future.
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 State University of New York at Cortland'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 State University of New York at Cortland stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at State University of New York at Cortland
Other highest-scoring programs offered at State University of New York at Cortland, 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 State University of New York at Cortland
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at State University of New York at Cortland?
A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Music careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $390,538 in decade earnings vs $394,727 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from State University of New York at Cortland?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.