<p>I think that very few people who post in this forum believe that a degree in music is a waste or time or money. Most of the discussion revolves around incurring debt and then it devolves into arguments as to whether or not music study is a waste of time and money altogether. No matter what your level of talent, the real financial challenge that most parents and students do not take into account are those first few years after graduation — out in the “real world” of a young performer… Those first few years out in that “real world” are very expensive and the burden of debt can make a performance career even more elusive than they ever imagined. And this discussion pertains not only to music, but to any pursuit that involves an extraordinary amount of debt. Debt that in the end might hinder, rather than help a young artist’s chances in a competitive field.</p>