What Audio and Music Production programs cost
Every figure on this page is federal data, reported as the source reports it. Where a program has too few completers to report safely, the government suppresses the figure and so do we.
Data last updated
$25,496
394 programs reporting
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
$43,716
468 programs reporting
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
20
Of 345 reporting both figures
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
By credential
| Credential | Programs | Annual tuitionpublished, in-state | Median graduate debt | Median graduate earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 358 | $4,224 | $9,500 | $33,863 |
| Associate degree | 447 | $3,450 | $18,354 | $34,585 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 1,095 | $24,295 | $25,000 | $43,777 |
| Master’s degree | 356 | $11,752 | $39,837 | $47,885 |
Sources: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026); IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)
How we are paid: StudyCreative earns revenue when readers ask to be connected with a school. No school pays to appear in these figures, to change them, or to be left out of them. Full disclosure.
By institution type
| Institution type | Programs | Annual tuition | Median graduate debt | Median graduate earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | 1,360 | $5,742 | $24,599 | $44,182 |
| Private nonprofit | 825 | $38,140 | $26,547 | $44,222 |
| Private for-profit | 71 | $26,417 | $20,000 | $34,987 |
Sources: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026); IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)
Where the numbers do not work
20 of 345 programs reporting both figures leave graduates owing more in federal loans than they earn in their fourth year out. We publish them because no one else will.
| Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York UniversityMaster’s degree · NY · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusOffers: Film and Television (Tisch) (BFA) · Game Design (Tisch Game Center) (BFA) · Integrated Design and Media (Tandon) (BS) · Computer Science (Tandon) (BS) · Computer Science (Tandon) (MS)What this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Theory and CompositionMusic, OtherVoice and OperaMusic, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $103,403 | $52,777 | 196% |
| Manhattan School of MusicMaster’s degree · NY · Private nonprofit | Keyboard InstrumentsMaster’s degree · On campusOffers: Orchestral Performance (BM) · Vocal Arts (BM) · Contemporary Performance (BM) · Musical Theatre (BM) · Jazz Arts (BM) · Composition (BM) · Conducting (BM)What this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Voice and OperaStringed InstrumentsWoodwind InstrumentsJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionBrass InstrumentsPercussion InstrumentsMusic Performance, GeneralConductingThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $69,402 | $40,812 | 170% |
| The New SchoolMaster’s degree · NY · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusOffers: Communication Design (Parsons) (BFA) · Illustration (Parsons) (BFA) · Design and Technology (Parsons) (BFA) · Integrated Design (Parsons) (BFA) · Photography (Parsons) (BFA)What this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Keyboard InstrumentsVoice and OperaJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionMusic History, Literature, and TheoryConductingThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $41,000 | $26,925 | 152% |
| California Institute of the ArtsMaster’s degree · CA · Private nonprofit | Music Theory and CompositionMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralMusic Performance, GeneralJazz/Jazz StudiesThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $44,150 | $29,494 | 150% |
| University of Southern CaliforniaMaster’s degree · CA · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, OtherJazz/Jazz StudiesStringed InstrumentsVoice and OperaKeyboard InstrumentsMusic Theory and CompositionBrass InstrumentsWoodwind InstrumentsMusic, GeneralPercussion InstrumentsMusicology and EthnomusicologyThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $64,278 | $45,304 | 142% |
| Northwestern UniversityMaster’s degree · IL · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Stringed InstrumentsVoice and OperaMusic, GeneralKeyboard InstrumentsConductingJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionMusicology and EthnomusicologyThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $47,600 | $34,062 | 140% |
| Belmont UniversityMaster’s degree · TN · Private nonprofit | Music, OtherMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralMusic Theory and CompositionVoice and OperaMusic, GeneralWoodwind InstrumentsThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $51,250 | $37,264 | 138% |
| Columbus State UniversityBachelor’s degree · GA · Public | Music Performance, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $25,000 | $18,218 | 137% |
| Carnegie Mellon UniversityMaster’s degree · PA · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralStringed InstrumentsVoice and OperaMusic Theory and CompositionMusic TechnologyMusic PedagogyConductingThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $50,693 | $39,953 | 127% |
| San Francisco Conservatory of MusicMaster’s degree · CA · Private nonprofit | Stringed InstrumentsMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Voice and OperaMusic TechnologyKeyboard InstrumentsBrass InstrumentsWoodwind InstrumentsJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionPercussion InstrumentsConductingThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $64,250 | $51,822 | 124% |
| Roosevelt UniversityBachelor’s degree · IL · Private nonprofit | Stringed InstrumentsBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Voice and OperaKeyboard InstrumentsMusic Performance, GeneralWoodwind InstrumentsMusic, GeneralMusic Theory and CompositionJazz/Jazz StudiesBrass InstrumentsPercussion InstrumentsThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $27,000 | $24,232 | 111% |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster’s degree · MD · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Theory and CompositionMusic TechnologyMusic History, Literature, and TheoryMusic, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $57,528 | $51,713 | 111% |
| The University of Texas at AustinMaster’s degree · TX · Public | Music, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralConductingJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $40,666 | $37,603 | 108% |
| University of MiamiMaster’s degree · FL · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, OtherJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionVoice and OperaKeyboard InstrumentsMusic, GeneralConductingMusicology and EthnomusicologyMusic PedagogyThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $59,534 | $55,826 | 107% |
| DePaul UniversityMaster’s degree · IL · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Jazz/Jazz StudiesMusic, OtherMusic Theory and CompositionMusic, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $41,000 | $38,670 | 106% |
Showing the 15 highest ratios of 20. Debt is federal loans only and excludes private borrowing, so real totals are often higher.
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
Where they work best
The same field, at the other end. These programs leave graduates with the lowest debt relative to what they go on to earn.
| Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega Studios' School of Applied Recording Arts & SciencesUndergraduate certificate · MD · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $5,500 | $31,929 | 17% |
| Central Washington UniversityMaster’s degree · WA · Public | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralVoice and OperaKeyboard InstrumentsThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $14,817 | $79,115 | 19% |
| Conservatory of Recording Arts and SciencesUndergraduate certificate · AZ · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $8,344 | $37,556 | 22% |
| Austin Community College DistrictAssociate degree · TX · Public | Music ManagementAssociate degree · On campus | $10,500 | $47,134 | 22% |
| University of Puerto Rico-AreciboBachelor’s degree · PR · Public | Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianBachelor’s degree · On campus | $5,250 | $22,550 | 23% |
| Florida Institute of Recording Sound and TechnologyUndergraduate certificate · FL · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · Fully online | $7,853 | $33,711 | 23% |
| The University of Texas at El PasoBachelor’s degree · TX · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $14,894 | $60,172 | 25% |
| Valencia CollegeAssociate degree · FL · Public | Music TechnologyAssociate degree · On campus | $9,592 | $38,507 | 25% |
| Florida International UniversityBachelor’s degree · FL · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $12,722 | $50,677 | 25% |
| American UniversityBachelor’s degree · DC · Private nonprofit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianBachelor’s degree · On campus | $19,085 | $75,461 | 25% |
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
What these numbers do not tell you
- Debt figures cover federal loans only. Private loans, credit cards and family money are invisible here, so the real cost is usually higher.
- Earnings cover people who completed the program and were working and not enrolled four years later. People who dropped out are not counted, and dropping out is common.
- The Scorecard reports at a four-digit CIP level, so a figure for one program may pool several related ones at the same institution.
- Programs with too few completers are suppressed for privacy. Small programs are therefore under-represented on this page.