Home Schools University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Music
Visual & Performing Arts · Music Rank #59 of 240

Musicat University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduates earn $32,880/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $474K; scenarios range from $444K to $472K depending on AI disruption.

Chapel Hill, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,880
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$474K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Your look at UNC's Music program reveals an earnings profile that, while modest for many fields, stands notably above the national average for similar programs. This isn't solely about performance; UNC's rigorous liberal arts foundation equips graduates with critical thinking and communication skills highly valued across diverse sectors. The university's strong reputation opens doors, whether you pursue K-12 music education within North Carolina's robust public school system, engage in arts administration for regional non-profits, or leverage sound design skills in burgeoning local media production companies. Many graduates find success by blending their musical passion with complementary skills, creating hybrid roles in areas like content creation or educational technology. Given the evolving landscape for creative fields and the rise of AI, actively seeking internships or pursuing dual interests that combine your musical talent with practical skills in education, business, or digital media can significantly broaden your career prospects and financial stability.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$444K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$474K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple13.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$472K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Music graduates typically work

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.

1
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
2
Sound engineering technicians
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$66,430/yr
Moderate
3
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
4
Music directors and composers
-0.3% 10-yr growth · 4,300 openings/yr
$63,670/yr
Very High
5
Musicians and singers
+1.1% 10-yr growth · 19,400 openings/yr
Moderate
6
Disc jockeys, except radio
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Music

How University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sam Houston State University
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Texas A & M University-Kingsville
TX · Public
57
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
The University of Texas at El Paso
TX · Public
51
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
13.4x
ROI
University of Houston
TX · Public
55
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Also at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Music at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Music at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill one of the best schools for Music?

Among 240 Music programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's #59 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.