Music master's degree programs in California

Compare 7 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

7Programs reporting earnings

$45,304Median year-4 earnings

Not availableMedian federal debt

0Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge · Debt not reported$60,697 2San Francisco Conservatory of MusicSan Francisco · Debt not reported$51,822 3University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$45,410 4University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Debt not reported$45,304 5California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$37,850 6California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · Debt not reported$32,534 7California Institute of the ArtsValencia · Debt not reported$29,494

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1121Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $99,410
Middle 50% wage range: $74,960–$143,070
State employment: 9,820
Projected growth: +2.2%
Annual openings: 8,000

10th–90th percentile: $60,420–$202,740

27-2041Music Directors and Composers

State median wage: $93,090
Middle 50% wage range: $66,810–$126,430
State employment: 2,510
Projected growth: +1.2%
Annual openings: 4,200

10th–90th percentile: $48,600–$175,670

25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

State median wage: $101,370
Middle 50% wage range: $79,710–$125,920
State employment: 99,230
Projected growth: -0.2%
Annual openings: 63,500

10th–90th percentile: $64,600–$132,600

27-4014Sound Engineering Technicians

State median wage: $78,150
Middle 50% wage range: $53,150–$100,910
State employment: 4,060
Projected growth: -3.1%
Annual openings: 1,000

10th–90th percentile: $45,720–$143,130

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	California State University, Northridge	Northridge	$60,697	Not available
2	San Francisco Conservatory of Music	San Francisco	$51,822	Not available
3	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$45,410	Not available
4	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$45,304	Not available
5	California State University, Fullerton	Fullerton	$37,850	Not available
6	California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach	$32,534	Not available
7	California Institute of the Arts	Valencia	$29,494	Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Music in California

What do Music master's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 7 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $45,304 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. California State University, Northridge has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.