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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peer schools offering Music
How University of Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
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 →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.