Musicat Syracuse University
Graduates earn $18,574/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $406K; scenarios range from $391K to $396K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Syracuse University
A degree in Music from Syracuse positions you for a unique career journey, where artistic passion often meets the realities of a highly competitive and often freelance industry. The numbers reflect the common experience across the field: many graduates initially navigate roles that prioritize artistic development and networking over immediate high salaries. Your career path might involve a blend of performance, composition, teaching, or technical roles like sound engineering, often piecing together income from various sources. While Syracuse offers a strong program, the local labor market isn't a major music industry hub, meaning many graduates will need to actively seek opportunities in larger metropolitan areas to build their careers. Success here hinges on your entrepreneurial spirit, networking ability, and willingness to build a portfolio of diverse experiences. As you plan your education, actively seek internships in your desired niche and develop complementary skills, like business acumen or digital production, to broaden your career options.
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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Syracuse University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Syracuse 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 Syracuse University
What does a 25/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at Syracuse University?
At 25/100, 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 Syracuse University?
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 Syracuse University a good choice for Music despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Syracuse University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.