Music at University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $17,040/yr (-39% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.1x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #189 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 $482K $483K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.1x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$52,848
Out-of-state: $133,624 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,872
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
15.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,411
114% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $17,040 place University of Kentucky below the $28,116 national median for Music — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 against $17,040/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #189 of 240 Music programs, University of Kentucky falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $36,411 show a 114% jump from the $17,040 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 23,189 students in Lexington, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kentucky →

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

Music at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Kentucky

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at University of Kentucky?
A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at University of Kentucky worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,000 against $17,040/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $451,310 in decade earnings vs $482,247 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from University of Kentucky?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →