Best Music Degrees in New York by ROI
Colleges in New York ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in New York
9
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$287,387
Across New York programs
Average Annual Cost
$59,280
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ithaca College
Grad rate: 74.2% |
+$76,656 | $52,449 | $66,162 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
SUNY at Fredonia
Grad rate: 56.6% |
+$18,098 | $45,438 | $25,331 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
New York University
Grad rate: 87.8% |
-$270,302 | $36,397 | $79,121 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Rochester
Grad rate: 87.0% |
-$311,440 | $34,688 | $82,600 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
SUNY at Purchase College
Grad rate: 64.2% |
-$358,942 | $26,907 | $28,541 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
CUNY Queens College
Grad rate: 58.4% |
-$359,106 | $25,409 | $13,643 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
The Juilliard School
Grad rate: 89.6% |
-$420,280 | $29,095 | $81,090 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Manhattan School of Music
Grad rate: 78.8% |
-$464,354 | $26,210 | $74,277 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
The New School
Grad rate: 70.2% |
-$496,814 | $25,435 | $82,757 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. 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.