Where Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all music bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | — | $36,425 | — |
| George Mason University | $34,611 | $46,916 | +36% |
| James Madison University | $36,106 | $46,899 | +30% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $28,989 | $33,538 | +16% |
| Liberty University | $28,003 | $30,707 | +10% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Music bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (33 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg | $15,478 | $34,611* | $36,425 | $27,000 | — |
 Radford UniversityRadford | $12,286 | $39,593* | — | $27,000 | 0.68 |
 James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg | $13,576 | $36,106* | $46,899 | $20,968 | 0.58 |
 George Mason UniversityFairfax | $13,815 | $34,611* | $46,916 | $24,048 | 0.69 |
 Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond | $16,458 | $28,989* | $33,538 | $27,000 | 0.93 |
 Liberty UniversityLynchburg | $21,222 | $28,003* | $30,707 | $27,000 | 0.96 |
| National Median | — | $26,036* | — | $26,000 | 1.00 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with music graduates
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Music Directors and Composers
Sound Engineering Technicians
Musicians and Singers
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.