Compare 10 Music. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $31,117.
With top graduates earning $47,904, Music stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $16K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of Puget Sound first, with Music graduates earning $47,904—significantly above Washington's $31,117 average. Pacific Lutheran University follows at $38,274, while Washington State University rounds out the top three at $34,711, showing how program outcomes vary independent of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Puget Sound graduates borrow $25,000 and face a 13.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. For families considering parent loans, Pacific Lutheran offers better math with a 44.8% family burden compared to competitors exceeding 60%.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | $47,904 | 10 | $25,000 | Manageable | $52,058 | High |
| #2 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $38,274 | 22 | $22,578 | Challenging | $25,000 | High |
| #3 | $34,711 | 13 | $19,500 | Challenging | $29,968 | High | |
| #4 | $31,205 | 41 | $19,500 | High | $22,000 | High | |
| #5 | $30,978 | 26 | $18,500 | High | $23,123 | High | |
| #6 | Whitworth UniversityPrivate | $30,581 | 27 | $25,000 | High | $35,875 | High |
| #7 | Northwest UniversityPrivate | $29,685 | 14 | $20,891 | High | $17,284 | High |
| #8 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $25,194 | 7 | $24,000 | High | $37,687 | High |
| #9 | $21,964 | 14 | $19,500 | High | $17,148 | High | |
| #10 | Cornish College Of The ArtsPrivate | $20,672 | 17 | $27,000 | High | $66,828 | 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 →
