Bachelor's-5% vs national median265 grads tracked
Music at Western Carolina University
Ranked 136th of 250 bachelor's programs in Music by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$37,274
middle 50%: $25,171 – $46,654
Median · 5 years out
$46,943
middle 50%: $36,273 – $53,407
Median · 10 years out
$51,441
middle 50%: $35,823 – $66,162
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Music (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Music earn a median $37,274 one year after graduating, rising to $51,441 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $49,659 for this field, ranking 136th of 250 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.9 yrs
≈ $10,196 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$47,479 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$47,270 · 5 yrs out
Shenandoah University
$47,270 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$47,229 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater College
$47,013 · 5 yrs out
University of Hartford
$46,883 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$46,870 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$46,803 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$46,784 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$46,772 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$46,717 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out