Music at American InterContinental University System

With earnings of $22,690 and just $9,500 in debt, this music certificate lands exactly at national medians—but the real story is what that debt number means. A 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional for music programs, placing it in the 25th percentile nationally for debt burden. Most music certificates leave students with far heavier debt loads relative to their earning potential, so this program's financial efficiency stands out.

Among Arizona's nine music certificate programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—solidly above the state's typical outcomes. The fact that 73% of students receive Pell grants suggests this program serves lower-income students without trapping them in unmanageable debt. That's worth something when many for-profit programs in the arts do the opposite.

The major caveat: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift significantly with more students. If your child is serious about pursuing music professionally, this certificate might serve as an affordable stepping stone, but they'll likely need additional training or credentials to meaningfully increase earnings. The low debt load makes it less risky than most music programs, but $22,690 remains a challenging starting point without a clear path to higher income.