Music at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $13,128/yr (-53% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.4x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #218 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 $474K $476K $446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.4x 7.4x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,148
22.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,182
145% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Music graduates start at $13,128/yr, trailing the $28,116 national average by 53%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 7.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,148 debt load exceeds a year of the $13,128 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #218 out of 240 programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $13,128 to $32,182 over five years (145% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's 44% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 34,623 students enrolled in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Music program score?
This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Music graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.8x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 are Music earnings lower at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Lower starting pay at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →