Music at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's music graduates earn $32,887 in their first year—well above the national median for music majors ($26,036) and in the 71st percentile nationally. That sounds promising until you look closer at Ohio's competitive music landscape. This program sits below the state median of $33,015, landing in just the 40th percentile among Ohio schools. Several Ohio University campuses and Akron push $36,000+, meaning Cleveland State graduates start roughly $3,000-4,000 behind their in-state peers.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $30,000, graduates borrow only slightly more than the national median but face a manageable 0.91 debt-to-earnings ratio. They're not drowning in debt relative to what they make, which matters tremendously in a field where many graduates struggle to service loans. However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

For Ohio families, this program represents middle-of-the-pack value. Your child won't graduate with crushing debt, but they'll likely earn less initially than graduates from nearby alternatives. If Cleveland State offers other advantages—location, specific faculty, or a substantially lower net price—it could still make sense. Otherwise, comparing financial aid packages against higher-earning Ohio programs would be wise.