Music at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,011/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #111 of 240 Music programs Top 50%

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 $481K $482K $450K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.5x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,975
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,073
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,011 track close to the $28,116 national median for Music programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Music programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,975 represents roughly 11 months of the $26,011 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #111 of 240 Music programs, West Virginia University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $41,073 show a 58% jump from the $26,011 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About West Virginia University

West Virginia University has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

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 West Virginia University

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 West Virginia University?
A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $450,369 in decade earnings vs $480,889 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →