Music at University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,811/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 240 Music programs Top 10%

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 $489K $489K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.5x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,992
Out-of-state: $115,088 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,100
-80% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,256
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,649
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,811 per year, Music graduates from University of Arkansas significantly outpace the $28,116 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,256 represents roughly 8 months of the $38,811 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #22 of 240 programs, University of Arkansas's Music program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $38,811 to $46,649 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Arkansas

With 72% of applicants admitted, University of Arkansas prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 27,312 in Fayetteville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas →

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 University of Arkansas

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Music at University of Arkansas?
A score of 43/100 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 $455,889 in decade earnings vs $488,837 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →