Music at Millikin University

Millikin's Music program starts graduates at just $21,000—about $5,000 below the Illinois median for music majors and near the bottom quartile nationally. The debt load of $27,000 isn't excessive compared to peers, but when your first-year salary barely covers living expenses, even manageable debt becomes a strain. While the 50% earnings jump to $32,000 by year four shows genuine growth, that still leaves graduates trailing programs at Northern Illinois ($43,000) and Eastern Illinois ($37,000) by substantial margins.

The concerning part isn't where graduates end up—$32,000 after four years is reasonable for a music degree—it's those first few years. A $21,000 starting salary in Decatur means graduates will likely need family support, second jobs, or a move to a larger market where music opportunities command better pay. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests these outcomes are fairly reliable, not statistical noise from a handful of students.

For parents of students serious about music careers, this program represents a financial gamble on long-term growth. If your child can weather the lean early years—perhaps by living at home or working multiple gigs—the trajectory improves. But stronger Illinois programs exist that skip the struggle period entirely and start graduates at substantially higher salaries.