Music at Indiana State University

Indiana State's music program stands out dramatically from the typical music degree: graduates earn $41,038 in their first year—well above the national median of $26,036 and outpacing 95% of music programs nationwide. Among Indiana's 32 music programs, it ranks in the 80th percentile, significantly ahead of even prestigious Indiana University-Bloomington ($15,911). The $27,000 debt load is perfectly aligned with national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 that's unusually manageable for a creative field.

The concerning wrinkle is the earnings trajectory: income drops to $36,998 by year four, a 10% decline that's the opposite of what parents expect. This could reflect the realities of freelance music careers, graduates pivoting to other fields, or simply the volatility of early-career arts employment. However, even with this dip, graduates still earn well above what most music majors make nationally.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether your child plans to leverage the degree into stable employment (music education, arts administration, studio work) rather than performance alone. The unusually strong first-year earnings suggest graduates are finding viable pathways that most music programs don't deliver. Given the moderate debt and strong comparative performance, this represents one of the better financial bets in music education—just don't expect steady upward momentum in those early years.