Music at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,939/yr (28% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 of 240 Music programs Top 25%

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 $465K $468K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.3x 7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,939 put University of Missouri-Columbia's Music program 28% above the national median of $28,116 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 8.3x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$35,939 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #49 out of 240 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's Music program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 23,118 students in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 Missouri-Columbia

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 Missouri-Columbia's Music program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 does University of Missouri-Columbia rank so high for Music?
The #49 ranking out of 240 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →