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Music at California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,650/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #185 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 $404K $413K $397K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$202,680
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$105,732
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,990
15.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $20,650 place California Lutheran University below the $28,116 national median for Music — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 2.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,990 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,650 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #185 out of 240 programs, California Lutheran University's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,374 students in Thousand Oaks, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $105,732 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Lutheran 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

Compare this program → View all 240 schools offering Music →

Music at Other Schools

Sam Houston State University ($59,926) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ($56,373) Texas A & M University-Kingsville ($56,072) The University of Texas at El Paso ($56,062) University of Houston ($52,799) Texas A & M University-Commerce ($52,282) Texas State University ($51,158) West Texas A & M University ($50,881)

Other Majors at California Lutheran University

Accounting and Related Services ($72,696) Computer Science ($68,398) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($57,276) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($55,234) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,122) Communication and Media Studies ($37,249) Political Science and Government ($36,061) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,989)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does California Lutheran University's Music program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do California Lutheran University Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Music earnings lower at California Lutheran University?
Lower starting pay at California Lutheran University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →