Music at University of Puget Sound

A music degree from University of Puget Sound starts slowly but shows remarkable earning growth, though the small sample size means these numbers deserve scrutiny. While first-year earnings of $25,551 sit near both national and Washington state medians, by year four graduates are earning $47,904—nearly double their starting salary and well above what most music programs deliver. Among Washington's 17 music programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, outpacing respected institutions like Pacific Lutheran and Cornish College of the Arts.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable, sitting right at the national median for music programs and creating a manageable 1.06 debt-to-earnings ratio even in that challenging first year. For a selective liberal arts college (average SAT: 1332), these debt levels suggest careful financial aid practices. The dramatic earnings trajectory from year one to four hints that Puget Sound's strong alumni network and reputation in the Pacific Northwest help graduates transition from entry-level arts positions into more stable careers—whether in music or adjacent fields.

The critical caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two high earners could be skewing these results upward. If your child is committed to music and values the liberal arts environment Puget Sound offers, this data is encouraging. But given the small sample, push the school for more detailed outcomes information during your visit—particularly around what percentage of graduates actually stay in music-related careers versus transition to other fields.