Best Music Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
7
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$434,909
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$20,072
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dallas College
Grad rate: 35.1% |
TX | -$346,642 | $25,632 | $9,641 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Finger Lakes Community College
Grad rate: 28.6% |
NY | -$349,302 | $26,476 | $19,411 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Shoreline Community College
Grad rate: 30.8% |
WA | -$376,757 | $26,203 | $18,499 | $17,644 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
International College of Broadcasting
Grad rate: 68.1% |
OH | -$464,369 | $23,042 | $24,177 | $27,300 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Valencia College
Grad rate: 44.2% |
FL | -$487,010 | $20,021 | $16,577 | $10,575 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
South Plains College
Grad rate: 22.3% |
TX | -$488,560 | $18,860 | $12,880 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Los Angeles Film School
Grad rate: 44.0% |
CA | -$531,723 | $20,873 | $39,320 | $22,625 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Music Degrees by State
Browse Music programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.