Music bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 14 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Illinois State UniversityNormal · $20,500 federal debt$54,7672Northwestern UniversityEvanston · $18,166 federal debt$53,8753University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $24,625 federal debt$50,5444Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston · $26,300 federal debt$49,2365North Central CollegeNaperville · Debt not reported$46,7446Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville · $23,500 federal debt$46,1967DePaul UniversityChicago · $23,334 federal debt$44,7568Millikin UniversityDecatur · $26,996 federal debt$43,3889Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $27,000 federal debt$40,73410Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb · $29,000 federal debt$40,398
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
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
- $62,960
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,230–$85,620
- State employment
- 4,170
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 8,000
27-2041Music Directors and Composers
- State median wage
- $49,270
- Middle 50% wage range
- $37,470–$65,520
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- +1.2%
- Annual openings
- 4,200
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- State median wage
- $79,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,330–$104,670
- State employment
- 44,670
- Projected growth
- -0.2%
- Annual openings
- 63,500
27-4014Sound Engineering Technicians
- State median wage
- $73,130
- Middle 50% wage range
- $40,460–$99,460
- State employment
- 570
- Projected growth
- -3.1%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; 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 | Illinois State University | Normal | $54,767 | $20,500 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | Evanston | $53,875 | $18,166 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $50,544 | $24,625 |
| 4 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | $49,236 | $26,300 |
| 5 | North Central College | Naperville | $46,744 | Not available |
| 6 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | $46,196 | $23,500 |
| 7 | DePaul University | Chicago | $44,756 | $23,334 |
| 8 | Millikin University | Decatur | $43,388 | $26,996 |
| 9 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | $40,734 | $27,000 |
| 10 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | $40,398 | $29,000 |
| 11 | Wheaton College | Wheaton | $40,329 | $24,556 |
| 12 | Western Illinois University | Macomb | $39,609 | $30,000 |
| 13 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | $32,448 | $28,125 |
| 14 | Roosevelt University | Chicago | $24,232 | $27,750 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Music in Illinois
What do Music bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 14 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $43,388 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $26,300 among the 13 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Illinois State University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.