Music at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,797/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #166 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 $481K $482K $450K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.2x 11.2x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,120
Out-of-state: $118,012 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,176
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,948
15.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,991
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $19,797 per year, Music graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn below the $28,116 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,948 against $19,797/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #166 of 240 Music programs, Metropolitan State University of Denver falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,991 show a 92% jump from the $19,797 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

With 99% of applicants admitted, Metropolitan State University of Denver prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,932 in Denver, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver →

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 Metropolitan State University of Denver

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 Metropolitan State University of Denver?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at Metropolitan State University of Denver worth the student debt?
Median debt of $24,948 against $19,797/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 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 $450,405 in decade earnings vs $480,942 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from Metropolitan State University of Denver?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →