Music at University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
13
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $14,310/yr (-49% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #239 of 240 Music programs

Program Analysis

A music degree from the University of Rochester, while offering a rich academic and performance experience, reflects the challenging economic realities of artistic careers. The local Rochester labor market, while culturally vibrant, offers limited salaried roles for general music graduates outside of education. Many professional opportunities in music, especially for performers or composers, are often freelance, project-based, and highly competitive, requiring significant entrepreneurial drive and a broad network to build a sustainable career. Your initial years post-graduation will likely involve piecing together multiple income streams or pursuing further specialized training. To thrive, you'll need to actively cultivate marketable skills beyond your core discipline, perhaps blending your musical talents with business, technology, or marketing, and aggressively seek out internships and connections from your first year.

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 $483K $484K $452K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 13 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,392
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,992
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,569
22.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,412
140% growth from Year 1

About University of Rochester

A 36% acceptance rate puts University of Rochester in competitive admissions territory, with a mid-sized student body of 6,488 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rochester →

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 Rochester

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 Rochester?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at University of Rochester worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,569 against $14,310/yr starting salary means roughly 1.9 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 $451,864 in decade earnings vs $483,043 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from University of Rochester?
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.
Is University of Rochester a hidden gem for Music?
After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below the $257,392 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →