Musicat University of Arizona
Graduates earn $17,293/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $499K; scenarios range from $463K to $500K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Arizona
The earnings trajectory for a Music degree from the University of Arizona reflects the dynamic and often non-traditional career paths in the arts, especially within a regional market like Tucson. Many graduates build careers through a combination of private instruction, local performance gigs, community arts administration, or entry-level roles in sound production for events and media. These foundational years typically involve piecing together income streams, which can keep initial earnings modest compared to fields with more structured corporate pipelines.
The university's broad music program likely prepares you for diverse roles, but securing higher-paying positions often requires significant networking, developing a strong portfolio, or pursuing advanced degrees in education or specific performance areas. Given the evolving landscape with AI, cultivating unique human-centric skills—like live performance, personalized teaching, or innovative composition that leverages rather than competes with technology—will be crucial. Proactively building a professional network and developing entrepreneurial skills during your studies will be essential for creating a sustainable and rewarding career path.
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 University of Arizona'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 University of Arizona stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Arizona
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Arizona, 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 University of Arizona
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at University of Arizona?
A score of 22/100 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 $463,344 in decade earnings vs $499,572 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from University of Arizona?
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.