The Worst Colleges for Bachelor’s Degree Payoff, Ranked

Berklee College of Music is one of the most famous contemporary music schools in the country. Founded in Boston in 1945 as Schillinger House, it became known for jazz, commercial music, songwriting, production, film scoring, performance, and industry-focused music training rather than only traditional classical conservatory study.

The -$110,000 payoff shows how hard music careers can be in the first decade. Graduates may spend years freelancing, touring, teaching, producing, or building credits before income becomes steady. Its later payoff numbers rise, suggesting some alumni may recover financially once their careers become more established.