Program Analysis
Graduates earn $24,775/yr, roughly in line with the $28,116 national median for Music. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
A 7.5x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Music career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.
A #156 ranking among 240 Music programs places Western Michigan University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 43% earnings increase from $24,775 to $35,347 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.