Music at Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,540/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #188 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 $487K $487K $454K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$175,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,936
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,556
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,365
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wheaton College's Music program produces graduates earning $26,540/yr — within striking distance of the $28,116 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

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

The $24,556 debt-to-$26,540 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #188 out of 240 programs, Wheaton College's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,540 to $42,365 over five years (60% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wheaton College

A 90% acceptance rate means Wheaton College is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 2,087 in Wheaton, IL. The average net cost of $107,936 over four years represents a 39% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wheaton College →

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 Wheaton College

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

How does Wheaton College's Music program score?
This program scores 21/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →