Computer Software and Media Applications at Berklee College of Music

This program ranks dead last among Massachusetts schools and in the bottom 5% nationally for a tech-focused degree, with first-year earnings of just $19,370—less than half what typical Massachusetts graduates in this field earn ($52,782). That's extraordinarily low for a software program in Boston's thriving tech market, where even national benchmarks ($38,234) should be a floor, not a ceiling. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates, by comparison, earn $86,193—more than four times as much with similar debt loads.

The $27,000 in debt is manageable in absolute terms, but becomes problematic when paired with earnings barely above minimum wage. At a 1.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, your child would be dedicating an uncomfortable portion of their first-year income to loan payments. The issue isn't the debt—it's the mysteriously low earnings for a field that typically commands strong starting salaries. With a robust sample size, these numbers reflect a real pattern, not statistical noise.

Something fundamental isn't working here. Whether it's curriculum misalignment with industry needs, weak employer connections, or graduates pursuing lower-paying creative roles rather than traditional software jobs, families need to understand why Berklee's music school reputation isn't translating to strong outcomes in this technical program. Before committing, demand clear answers about job placement and consider whether a traditional computer science program—even at a less prestigious school—would serve your child better financially.