Music at Lamar University

Beaumont, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,328/yr (51% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 240 Music programs Top 5%

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 $517K $514K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.8x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 7.0x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,760
Out-of-state: $73,928 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,716
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,768
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,712
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Lamar University Music graduates command $42,328/yr out of the gate, well above the $28,116 national median. That 51% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Music programs nationally.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,768 in median debt clears quickly against $42,328 in annual earnings.

At #9 of 240 nationally, this is a top-5% Music program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $42,328 to $53,712 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Lamar University

A 86% acceptance rate means Lamar University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 7,945 students in Beaumont, TX. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Lamar 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

Compare Music

Other Majors at Lamar University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Lamar University?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Music field.
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 $475,186 in decade earnings vs $516,627 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Lamar University's Music program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 240 programs nationally, Lamar University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →