Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $18,896/yr fall 33% below the $28,116 national median for Music. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.0x — 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,500 against $18,896/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #230 of 240 Music programs, California Institute of the Arts falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $32,376 show a 71% jump from the $18,896 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.