Fine and performing arts: every university, ranked by pay
Music at University of Southern California
Bachelor's degree · Los Angeles, California · 152 graduates in two years
What do USC music graduates earn?
Median yearly pay of graduates who had federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Hidden where too few graduates to publish.
What does it take to get into USC?
Admission is to the university, not the program, at most US schools.
How much does USC cost?
Sticker price for a year, and what students actually paid after grants.
The cost by family income, debt and who finishes are on USC's page.
What careers does Music lead to?
Careers people reach through this field, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- Graphic DesignerLogos, packaging, websites, posters. The portfolio decides whether you get hired, not the diploma.$63kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- MusicianPlay or sing for a living. The hourly rate looks good, the number of paid hours is the problem.$99kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- ActorPaid by the hour, hired by the job. No license, no degree required, and no guarantee of work.$60kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- AnimatorYour reel gets you hired, not your diploma. A median of $102,030 a year, and the work comes in waves.$102kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- ArchivistDecide what a country, a company or a family keeps forever, then make sure people can find it.$65kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- AuthorWrite books people buy. No license, no required degree, and almost no guaranteed money.$77kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
Music at other universities
The same program elsewhere, California first, then the best paid.
| University | Pay, five years out | Debt | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Los AngelesCalifornia | $56,459 | $13,000 | 9% |
| California State University, FullertonCalifornia | $46,473 | $25,429 | 91% |
| New York UniversityNew York | $60,683 | $21,875 | 9% |
| Vanderbilt UniversityTennessee | $59,738 | $8,207 | 6% |
| Texas Tech UniversityTexas | $58,249 | $26,979 | 73% |
| University of HoustonTexas | $57,743 | $22,600 | 74% |
| The University of Texas at AustinTexas | $57,472 | $23,200 | 27% |
| University of North TexasTexas | $56,884 | $21,399 | 72% |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityMaryland | $55,928 | $20,500 | 6% |
| University of MichiganMichigan | $55,548 | $20,500 | 16% |
| Northwestern UniversityIllinois | $54,501 | $19,500 | 8% |
| University of Colorado BoulderColorado | $53,386 | $13,079 | 78% |
Where these numbers come from
College Scorecard release 10152026, Most Recent Cohorts files, fetched 2026-10-20. Pay is the median for graduates who received federal aid, measured one and five years after finishing; debt is the median federal loan balance at graduation.
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with University of Southern California. Figures describe past students.