CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Valencia, California

Is Music at California Institute of the Arts worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Graduates typically don't earn back the cost within 20 years, compared with the no-degree baseline.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$23,707
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$43,281
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$26,000
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$212k (likely $212k – $295k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$3k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in CA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
Not within 20 years in most scenarios
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$448k (likely −$588k – −$360k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
−$390k (likely −$570k – −$223k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
62%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Music at other schools

🎨 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward art, design & performance majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP 2-D Art and Design
  • AP Drawing
  • AP Art History
  • AP Music Theory

IB Higher Level

  • Visual Arts HL
  • Music HL or Theatre HL or Film HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at California Institute of the Arts

Music at other schools in California