Compare 10 Music. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $35,149.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Music tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $23,304 to $57,343—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Music program leads with graduates earning $57,343, substantially above the $35,149 average across North Carolina programs. Western Carolina University follows at $41,120, proving that program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UNC Chapel Hill graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24.
Highest program earnings: $57,343
Strong outcomes ($41,120) with 87% acceptance
5.5% payment burden | Excellent
16.9% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $57,343 | 47 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $41,120 | 33 | $21,868 | Manageable | $18,241 | High | |
| #3 | $38,831 | 30 | $21,500 | Challenging | $19,809 | High | |
| #4 | $38,820 | 40 | $22,858 | Challenging | $14,638 | High | |
| #5 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $35,433 | 20 | $22,750 | Challenging | $19,710 | High |
| #6 | Catawba CollegePrivate | $32,378 | 18 | $25,000 | High | $30,535 | High |
| #7 | $30,474 | 18 | $20,500 | High | $20,305 | High | |
| #8 | $28,011 | 25 | $23,870 | High | $44,645 | High | |
| #9 | $25,774 | 8 | $28,250 | High | $19,245 | High | |
| #10 | $23,304 | 17 | $20,231 | High | $21,919 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
