Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $21,524/yr fall 23% below the $28,116 national median for Music. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Music programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Music's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,584 against $21,524/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #159 of 240 Music programs, SUNY at Fredonia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $21,524 to $32,164 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.