Music at University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
15.6 months of Year 1 earnings
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
Compare & Explore
Music at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of California-Riverside
Explore the Trade Alternative
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 →