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Visual & Performing Arts · Music Rank #213 of 240

Musicat University of Southern California

Graduates earn $12,947/yr in their first year — about 54.0% below the national Music average. Base-case 10-year earnings $432K; scenarios range from $412K to $425K depending on AI disruption.

Los Angeles, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
18 AT RISK
19
Optimistic
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$12,947
1-year post-graduation
ROI
-0.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$432K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Southern California

Your degree from USC's renowned Thornton School of Music places you in the heart of Los Angeles's demanding entertainment industry. The initial financial data reflects the highly competitive, often project-based nature of music careers, where establishing yourself in performance, composition, or sound engineering frequently involves piecing together diverse gigs, teaching roles, or studio work rather than a direct, high-paying corporate entry. While the program offers unparalleled networking opportunities within the film, TV, and gaming industries, building a sustainable career here takes time and strategic hustle. The "high AI risk" further highlights the need for adaptability and unique human creativity. To thrive, actively cultivate a diverse portfolio of skills—combining your artistic passion with practical production, business acumen, and strong professional connections.

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
$412K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score16/100
Earnings Multiple1.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$432K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple1.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$425K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple1.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Southern California'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 Southern California 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 Southern California

Other top programs at University of Southern California

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, 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 Southern California

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.