Music at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,882/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #65 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 $486K $487K $454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.3x 8.3x 7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,075
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,043
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,882 per year, Music graduates from Grand Valley State University earn slightly above the $28,116 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 $29,075 represents roughly 10 months of the $34,882 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #65 of 240 Music programs, Grand Valley State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,882 to $45,043 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Grand Valley State University

With 95% of applicants admitted, Grand Valley State University prioritizes broad access, serving 19,073 students in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State 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

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Grand Valley State University?
A score of 35/100 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 $453,818 in decade earnings vs $485,855 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →