Music at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,657/yr (37% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #41 of 240 Music programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

The strong outcomes for USC-Columbia's music graduates highlight a program that effectively prepares students for diverse, practical careers beyond traditional performance. This isn't just about raw talent; it reflects a curriculum likely emphasizing marketable skills in areas like music education, sound engineering, or composition for media. As a major public university, USC benefits from extensive alumni networks and established pipelines into regional school districts, arts organizations, and event production companies across South Carolina. Graduates often find stable roles teaching, or apply technical audio skills in local studios and broadcast environments. This broader preparation allows you to leverage your musical passion into fields with consistent demand and better compensation. Your key takeaway: actively explore and engage with the career services and internship opportunities specific to these in-demand music-related fields.

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 $497K $497K $462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.8x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,505
25% growth from Year 1

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-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 South Carolina-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 South Carolina-Columbia's Music program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 South Carolina-Columbia rank so high for Music?
The #41 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 →