Analysis
Five Towns College's music program carries a small sample size caveat, but the available data suggests reasonable performance within New York's competitive music education landscape. With graduates earning $30,618 four years out, this program lands in the 60th percentile among New York music programs—a meaningful distinction in a state where the median sits at just $20,334. That's roughly $10,000 more annually than the typical New York music graduate.
The debt picture looks manageable at $27,750, nearly identical to both state and national medians for music degrees. The 1.10 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 13 months of their first-year salary—tight but not crushing for a creative field known for modest early earnings. The 21% earnings growth between years one and four indicates developing career momentum, though these figures remain below top programs like CUNY Hunter ($33,384).
For families considering a specialized music program in New York, these numbers suggest Five Towns delivers middle-tier outcomes at median cost. The program won't match earnings from flagship institutions, but it outperforms most New York alternatives while keeping debt reasonable. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a working-class population making this calculation particularly important. Just remember the small sample size means individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs.
Where Five Towns College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all music bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Five Towns College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Towns College | $25,315 | $30,618 | +21% |
| Ithaca College | $23,119 | $41,583 | +80% |
| Hofstra University | $15,592 | $41,288 | +165% |
| SUNY College at Potsdam | $23,902 | $40,627 | +70% |
| SUNY at Fredonia | $21,524 | $33,086 | +54% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Music bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (61 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29,950 | $25,315 | $30,618 | $27,750 | 1.10 | |
| $7,382 | $33,384 | $29,028 | — | — | |
| $69,045 | $32,924 | — | — | — | |
| $37,452 | $26,060 | $31,616 | $26,717 | 1.03 | |
| $60,438 | $24,398 | $18,612 | $25,000 | 1.02 | |
| $8,712 | $23,902 | $40,627 | $27,000 | 1.13 | |
| National Median | — | $26,036 | — | $26,000 | 1.00 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with music graduates
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Music Directors and Composers
Sound Engineering Technicians
Musicians and Singers
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Five Towns College, approximately 45% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.