Music at University of Miami

University of Miami's music graduates start at just $15,492—ranking in the 5th percentile nationally and well below Florida's median of $21,588. That's roughly half what Florida International University's music graduates earn, despite Miami's elite 19% admission rate and 1416 average SAT scores. The silver lining? Earnings nearly double to $28,238 by year four, representing 82% growth and eventually surpassing both state and national medians. Still, that first year's financial reality is stark for a program carrying a tuition premium.

The debt situation offers a rare bright spot: at $13,998, graduates carry roughly half the typical burden for music majors nationally ($26,000) and significantly less than Florida's state average ($23,992). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary—manageable, though that calculation looks worse when you consider that first year's particularly low earnings.

This program ultimately asks students to weather a difficult financial launch in exchange for stronger later-career prospects. The moderate sample size suggests these figures are reasonably reliable, and the strong earnings trajectory indicates graduates do find their footing. But parents should understand their child may need substantial financial support during that first year or two post-graduation—the prestige of the degree doesn't translate to immediate earning power in the music field.