Music at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

The small sample size here demands caution, but the reported numbers—$12,875 one year out—fall dramatically short of both Ohio's $33,015 median for music programs and the national $26,036 benchmark. This places Cincinnati's music program in the bottom 10% statewide and bottom 5% nationally among music degrees, which is particularly striking given that several Ohio University campuses are reporting nearly triple these earnings for their music graduates.

The $23,946 in median debt is actually below both state and national averages for music programs, which provides some cushion. But with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.86, graduates are carrying debt nearly twice their first-year income—a challenging position even for a field where earnings typically grow over time. Music careers often involve cobbling together multiple income streams, adjunct teaching, or graduate school, which may explain why that first-year number captures such a small slice of earning potential.

Given the limited sample size, these figures might not represent the typical graduate's experience. However, if you're comparing options within Ohio, this program's reported outcomes trail far behind peers. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Cincinnati—exceptional faculty connections, scholarship support that substantially reduces that debt load, or a specialized program track—the data suggests looking at other Ohio music programs with stronger track records. At minimum, dig into placement rates and alumni outcomes beyond what's captured in this federal reporting.