Compare 17 Music. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $29,782.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Music tells a different story. Across 17 programs, earnings range from $15,922 to $44,533—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Music program leads with graduates earning $44,533, well above the $29,782 average. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania follows at $41,602, proving that Pennsylvania's public universities compete effectively in music education despite lower overall institutional profiles.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. West Chester graduates borrow $23,500 and face a 14.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. However, when parent loans are included, the family burden jumps to 32.9%, demonstrating why financing strategy affects program choice.
Highest program earnings: $44,533
Strong outcomes with 79% acceptance
14.7% payment burden | Manageable
32.9% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $44,533 | 71 | $23,500 | Manageable | $25,362 | High | |
| #2 | $41,602 | 9 | $26,000 | Challenging | $26,233 | High | |
| #3 | Lebanon Valley CollegePrivate | $39,962 | 27 | $27,000 | Challenging | $42,888 | High |
| #4 | Moravian UniversityPrivate | $35,600 | 11 | $26,793 | High | $48,375 | High |
| #5 | $35,136 | 38 | $26,798 | High | $26,073 | High | |
| #6 | Duquesne UniversityPrivate | $35,095 | 24 | $26,244 | High | $57,511 | High |
| #7 | $35,060 | 23 | $25,000 | High | $23,528 | High | |
| #8 | $33,095 | 37 | $25,000 | High | $38,368 | High | |
| #9 | University Of The ArtsPrivate | $29,153 | 34 | $27,000 | High | $71,040 | High |
| #10 | $28,598 | 38 | $23,507 | High | $29,193 | High | |
| #11 | Temple UniversityPublic | $27,886 | 65 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #12 | Muhlenberg CollegePrivate | $23,649 | 13 | $25,455 | High | $48,779 | High |
| #13 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | $23,579 | 7 | $27,000 | High | $46,359 | High |
| #14 | Albright CollegePrivate | $21,285 | 10 | $27,000 | High | $31,921 | High |
| #15 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $18,409 | 19 | $21,750 | High | $37,130 | High |
| #16 | $17,725 | 15 | $26,000 | High | $26,389 | High | |
| #17 | Gettysburg CollegePrivate | $15,922 | 8 | $26,999 | High | $62,000 | 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 →
