Musicat Stetson University
Graduates earn $15,905/yr in their first year — about 43.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $441K; scenarios range from $418K to $435K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Stetson University
The financial data for Stetson's music program suggests a challenging path, with graduates often earning less than their peers nationally. This isn't necessarily a reflection of the program's quality, but rather the realities of a competitive field in a specific regional market. DeLand, while home to a respected university, isn't a primary hub for the music industry, meaning direct career pipelines can be less robust than in larger metropolitan areas. Many graduates find themselves in education or the gig economy, where income can be variable. The high AI risk further complicates the landscape, suggesting future roles may require adapting to new technologies or specializing in areas less susceptible to automation. If you pursue this path, actively build a diverse portfolio and network extensively, perhaps even considering a minor or dual degree in a complementary field to broaden your career prospects and financial stability from day one.
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 Stetson University'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 Stetson University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Stetson University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Stetson University, 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 Stetson University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Stetson University?
A score of 14/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at Stetson University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $15,905/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $418,408 in decade earnings vs $434,864 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from Stetson University?
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.
Is Stetson University a hidden gem for Music?
After financial aid, the average student pays $85,272 over four years — 61% below the $220,880 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.