Home › Murray State University › Music

Music at Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,098/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)

ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #44 of 240 Music programs Top 25%

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	$492K	$492K	$458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.7x	12.7x	11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.3x	6.3x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	35%	31%	24%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,832

Out-of-state: $77,808 (6.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$36,484

6% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,731

9.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,197

35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Murray State University's Music graduates start at $34,098/yr — above the $28,116 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 12.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,731 debt-to-$34,098 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #44 out of 240 programs, Murray State University's Music program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,098 to $46,197 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Murray State University

A 86% acceptance rate means Murray State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 6,646 students in Murray, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Murray 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

Other Majors at Murray State University

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

How does Murray State University's Music program score?

This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 does Murray State University rank so high for Music?

The #44 ranking out of 240 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →