Music at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
12
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,934/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #219 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 $487K $488K $455K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 12

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,316
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $23,934/yr, roughly in line with the $28,116 national median for Music. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $23,934/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #219 of 240 Music programs, Boston University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,316 show a 73% jump from the $23,934 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Boston University

Boston University's 11% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 17,850 in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston University?
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 Boston University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $23,934/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 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 $454,826 in decade earnings vs $487,307 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Boston University a hidden gem for Music?
After financial aid, the average student pays $107,984 over four years — 59% below the $260,672 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 →