Music at Morehead State University

Morehead State's music program produces graduates who earn slightly above the state median ($31,088 versus $31,088) while carrying manageable debt of $25,000—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.8 that's better than many arts programs. Among Kentucky's 19 music programs, this places graduates around the middle of the pack, trailing regional competitors like Western Kentucky ($34,766) and Murray State ($34,098) by a few thousand dollars annually.

The modest 5% earnings growth over four years suggests music graduates find relatively stable entry-level positions rather than climbing steeply into higher-paying roles. Nationally, these graduates outperform 66% of music programs, which is impressive considering music consistently ranks among the lower-earning bachelor's degrees. The debt load sits near the national median for the field, making it neither a standout bargain nor a financial red flag.

For families considering this program, the question isn't whether it's financially optimal—music degrees rarely are—but whether it represents a reasonable path. At under $25,000 in debt with earnings that exceed most music programs nationally, Morehead provides a middle-ground option: not the highest-earning music program in Kentucky, but one that keeps debt moderate enough that graduates aren't crushed by payments while building their careers. If your student is committed to music, this program won't create the debt burden that makes that career choice impossible to sustain.