Music at Portland State University

Portland State's Music program produces earnings that trail both state and national medians by a substantial margin—$17,638 versus Oregon's $29,630 median. That's roughly $12,000 less per year than what graduates earn from other Oregon music programs, placing this in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. While music degrees rarely lead to high immediate earnings, this gap is too wide to ignore, especially when paired with above-average debt of $27,846.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could fluctuate significantly year to year, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.58, graduates would need more than 18 months of gross income just to cover their loans—assuming they can find steady work in their field. Compare that to Oregon State's music graduates, who earn nearly double in their first year out.

For a parent, this comes down to whether your child has a clear post-graduation plan beyond performing. If they're pursuing music education, therapy, or another stable career path, this might still work. But if the plan is to "figure it out" after graduation, the combination of below-market earnings and elevated debt creates an unnecessarily difficult starting point. Consider whether in-state alternatives or a smaller initial investment might provide more breathing room during those crucial early career years.