Music at University of Mississippi

Ole Miss music graduates start their careers earning $38,029—significantly above the national median of $26,036 for music degrees and ranking in the 90th percentile nationally. That's impressive performance for a program that leaves students with just $17,250 in debt, roughly a third less than the typical music graduate nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 means graduates owe less than half their first year's salary, a manageable position that's unusual in the arts.

That said, the small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift considerably with a larger cohort. The 60th percentile ranking among Mississippi programs (which includes 15 schools) also suggests this isn't a standout within the state—though matching the state median with below-median debt still represents solid value.

For families willing to accept some statistical uncertainty, this looks like a relatively safe bet for a music degree. The combination of strong national earnings performance and modest debt creates genuine financial breathing room for graduates pursuing what's typically a lower-paying field. Just understand you're working with limited data points, and individual outcomes will vary more than they might in a larger program.