Compare 9 Music. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $33,192.
Music programs produce graduates earning between $20,140 and $46,916—a $27K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 9 ranked programs in Virginia, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
George Mason University's Music program leads with graduates earning $46,916, closely followed by James Madison University at $46,899. The average across all Virginia programs is $33,192, yet these public universities substantially outperform expectations while maintaining larger cohort sizes of 55 and 77 students respectively.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. George Mason graduates borrow $19,500 and face an 11% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category. However, when parent loans are included, all top programs show concerning family burdens exceeding 25%, proving that financing strategy matters as much as program choice.
Highest program earnings: $46,916
Strong outcomes with 89% acceptance
11.0% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
27.3% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $46,916 | 55 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High |
| #2 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $46,899 | 77 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #3 | $36,425 | 16 | $21,500 | Challenging | $35,325 | High | |
| #4 | $33,538 | 48 | $21,500 | High | $23,585 | High | |
| #5 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $31,133 | 30 | $24,000 | High | $18,866 | High |
| #6 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $30,707 | 101 | $24,500 | High | $16,398 | High |
| #7 | Shenandoah UniversityPrivate | $27,773 | 25 | $25,000 | High | $46,387 | High |
| #8 | William & MaryPublic | $25,194 | 12 | $18,500 | High | $30,326 | High |
| #9 | Radford UniversityPublic | $20,140 | 25 | $24,000 | High | $22,158 | 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 →
