Music at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's music program demonstrates something unusual among Maryland music degrees: it actually outperforms most in-state alternatives while keeping debt manageable. While first-year earnings of $24,000 trail the national average by about $2,000, this program ranks in the 60th percentile within Maryland—ahead of both Towson and Johns Hopkins. The $29,000 debt load sits slightly above the state median but well below typical national levels, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.21 that most music programs would envy.

The real story emerges in year four, when median earnings jump to nearly $40,000—a 66% increase that suggests graduates find stable footing in music-related fields or pivot successfully to adjacent careers. That growth trajectory matters considerably for a field where many graduates start in part-time or freelance work before establishing themselves professionally. The manageable debt means graduates have breathing room during those early lean years.

Fair warning: these figures come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual experiences may vary more than usual. But for Maryland families weighing music programs, UMBC appears to offer a practical middle path—accessible admissions, reasonable debt, and outcomes that actually beat the state average. It won't fast-track anyone to wealth, but it provides a foundation without the crushing debt that makes pursuing a music career financially untenable.