Music at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $12,947/yr (-54% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 1.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #213 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 $425K $432K $412K
Earnings Multiple 1.6x 1.6x 1.5x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,839
18.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,763
91% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $12,947 per year, Music graduates from University of Southern California earn below the $28,116 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 1.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,839 against $12,947/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.5 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #213 of 240 Music programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $24,763 show a 91% jump from the $12,947 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, one of the larger campuses at 20,817 students in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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 Southern California

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at University of Southern California?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at University of Southern California worth the student debt?
Median debt of $19,839 against $12,947/yr starting salary means roughly 1.5 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 $411,749 in decade earnings vs $425,273 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from University of Southern California?
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 Southern California a hidden gem for Music?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 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 →