Music at University of Denver

Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
12
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,262/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #214 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 $522K $519K $479K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 12

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$237,360
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$144,148
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,559
12.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,789
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,262 place University of Denver below the $28,116 national median for Music — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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.

Median debt of $23,559 against $23,262/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #214 of 240 Music programs, University of Denver falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $46,789 show a 101% jump from the $23,262 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Denver

University of Denver accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,059 students in Denver, CO. After financial aid, the average student pays $144,148 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at 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 University of Denver

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 Denver?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Music. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Music at University of Denver worth the student debt?
Median debt of $23,559 against $23,262/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 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 $479,009 in decade earnings vs $522,133 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Music from 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 →