Music at Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University's music program outperforms expectations in a field known for financial challenges. With first-year earnings of $39,008, graduates earn 50% more than the national median for music degrees and rank in the 80th percentile among Tennessee programs. Only Tennessee Tech's music graduates earn more in the state. The $31,000 debt load, while higher than Tennessee's median, translates to a manageable 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio—significantly better than what most music programs deliver nationally.

The small sample size here matters: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few successful outcomes could skew these numbers favorably. Still, the pattern is consistent with an accessible state university (96% admission rate) serving many first-generation college students effectively. For a program in the arts, where career trajectories often take time to develop, starting near $39,000 represents solid financial footing.

If your child is committed to studying music, this program offers better immediate earnings potential than most alternatives. The debt isn't trivial, but it's proportionate to the income—a rare balance in music education. Just recognize that with such a small cohort, individual results will vary more widely than in larger programs.