Music at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,428/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #64 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 $471K $473K $444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.8x 10.9x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 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)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,803
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,644
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,428/yr, edging above the $28,116 national average for Music — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.9x 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 $26,803 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,428 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #64 of 240 Music programs, Northern Kentucky University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,428 to $41,644 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 8,065 students in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at Northern Kentucky 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 $443,566 in decade earnings vs $471,094 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →