Music at Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Tech's music program graduates earn substantially more than nearly all other music programs—ranking in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide—while taking on significantly less debt than typical. That first-year earning of $44,635 beats Austin Peay's music grads by $5,600 and nearly doubles the national median of $26,036. The $17,500 in typical debt is well below both state and national averages, creating one of the most favorable debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find in music education.

The concerning part is what happens next: earnings drop to $36,814 by year four, a 17% decline that's unusual even for music degrees. This could reflect the volatility of music careers, where initial teaching or performance positions don't always lead to steady income growth. However, even with this drop, graduates still out-earn the state median and maintain manageable debt loads.

The small sample size here is critical—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. But if your child is committed to studying music, Tennessee Tech offers a rare combination: strong initial outcomes, conservative borrowing, and competitive positioning within Tennessee's music education landscape. Just be prepared for the income uncertainty that comes with the field itself, not necessarily this specific program.