Music at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

A $17,725 starting salary against $27,000 in debt creates immediate financial strain—graduates would need to allocate nearly 18 months of gross income just to clear their loans. More concerning, Kutztown's music graduates earn less than their counterparts at nearly every other Pennsylvania music program, landing in the bottom 10th percentile both statewide and nationally. Compare this to Slippery Rock University, a fellow state school, where music graduates earn more than double at $37,660, or even the state median of $27,226.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift with more data, but the gap is too large to dismiss. Even accounting for statistical noise, music graduates here appear to be struggling in ways that peers at other Pennsylvania public universities aren't. The program sits at an open-admission institution where music departments often compete for resources, which may impact job placement networks and professional preparation.

For families considering this path, the math is stark: first-year earnings barely cover living expenses, let alone loan payments. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Kutztown—perhaps a particular faculty mentor or ensemble opportunity—other Pennsylvania state schools offer music programs with demonstrably better early-career outcomes. At minimum, investigate what's driving the earnings gap before committing.