Music at University of South Carolina-Columbia

UofSC's music program outperforms 93% of music programs nationally—a remarkable showing that makes it one of the best-performing undergraduate music degrees in the country. With first-year earnings near $39,000, graduates earn roughly $13,000 more than the typical music major nationwide. The $27,000 median debt is completely in line with what students typically borrow for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 that's manageable for an arts field where six-figure salaries are rare.

The state-level picture adds important nuance. While this program dominates nationally, it ranks at the 60th percentile among South Carolina's 23 music programs, meaning in-state alternatives exist with potentially better outcomes. That said, UofSC's combination of reasonable debt and strong national reputation creates a solid foundation for music careers. Earnings grow modestly to about $40,000 by year four—not explosive growth, but steady progress that's actually above average for arts degrees.

For families committed to a music degree, this represents one of the safer bets nationally. The debt burden won't overwhelm entry-level arts salaries, and graduates leave positioned above most of their peers. Just understand you're paying for prestige and connections that may matter more in certain music careers than others.