Music at University of the Arts

University of the Arts' music program sits in the bottom quarter of Pennsylvania music programs, with first-year earnings of $20,543 trailing both the state median ($27,226) and national median ($26,036). While the $27,000 debt load matches typical borrowing for music degrees, starting roughly $7,000 below the Pennsylvania average puts graduates at a noticeable disadvantage compared to peers at schools like Slippery Rock or Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where music graduates earn 80% more initially.

The 42% earnings growth to $29,153 by year four is encouraging and helps narrow the gap, but graduates still remain below where many Pennsylvania music programs start. At a 1.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face over a year's salary in debt—manageable but tight for arts careers that often require supplemental income in early years. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether the specialized arts education justifies starting $7,000 behind the Pennsylvania median. If your child has specific faculty connections or Philadelphia's music scene is crucial to their goals, the investment might make sense. Otherwise, several Pennsylvania public universities deliver stronger early earnings for music majors at similar or lower cost.