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Music at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,408/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.3x earnings multiple (2.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #165 of 240 Music programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Music graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $403K $412K $396K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.1x 7.3x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.2x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (2.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
15.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of California-Riverside's Music graduates start at $20,408/yr, trailing the $28,116 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 7.3x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,408 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #165 out of 240 programs, University of California-Riverside's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 240 schools offering Music →

Music at Other Schools

Sam Houston State University ($59,926) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ($56,373) Texas A & M University-Kingsville ($56,072) The University of Texas at El Paso ($56,062) University of Houston ($52,799) Texas A & M University-Commerce ($52,282) Texas State University ($51,158) West Texas A & M University ($50,881)

Other Majors at University of California-Riverside

Computer Science ($81,034) Information Science/Studies ($76,090) Chemical Engineering ($68,245) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($66,430) Computer Engineering ($65,049) Mechanical Engineering ($62,554) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($61,342) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($59,309)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Riverside's Music program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of California-Riverside Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Music earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →