Music at International College of Broadcasting

The sharp earnings drop—from $35,491 in year one to $23,042 by year four—tells you almost everything you need to know about this program. While graduates initially earn more than 95% of associate-level music programs nationwide, that advantage evaporates quickly, suggesting either that early work opportunities don't lead anywhere sustainable or that many graduates leave the field entirely. The small sample size (under 30 students) means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few graduates' experiences.

The $27,300 debt load isn't catastrophic at 0.77 times first-year earnings, but it becomes increasingly burdensome as those earnings plummet. By year four, graduates are earning barely more than the national median for this degree while still servicing above-average debt. Given that three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, this pattern of declining income is particularly worrisome for families without financial cushions.

If your child is serious about a music career, this data suggests they should plan for the income volatility as part of their financial strategy—perhaps by living at home initially or having a backup income source. But the trajectory here is concerning enough that you'd want to understand exactly where graduates are working in that strong first year and why those opportunities don't translate into sustained careers. Without that clarity, you're betting on an outcome the data shows most graduates don't achieve.