Music at University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas music graduates are earning substantially more than their peers nationwide—landing in the 94th percentile with a first-year median of $38,811 versus the national figure of $26,036. That $12,000+ premium represents nearly 50% higher earnings than typical music graduates, though it's worth noting this strong showing comes from a small sample size of fewer than 30 graduates.

The debt picture is equally encouraging. At $27,000, graduates are borrowing slightly less than the national median while earning significantly more, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. Within Arkansas, the program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack (60th percentile), performing comparably to other state institutions like University of Central Arkansas. Earnings show modest but steady growth to $40,883 by year four, suggesting graduates establish stable career trajectories rather than experiencing the volatility sometimes seen in arts fields.

For parents worried about the financial viability of a music degree, these numbers tell a reassuring story. Your child would be entering a program where graduates meaningfully outperform national expectations while keeping debt manageable. The small sample size means individual outcomes might vary more than at larger programs, but the available data suggests UArk's music program delivers stronger financial returns than the vast majority of music degrees nationwide.