There are plenty of niches to be filled in music if you're looking for a job. You could become a full time music theorist, for example. I realize that it's definitely not a path for everyone (especially if you hate the idea of working at a university), but it IS a full-time job that not a lot of people compete for (compared to full-time composing, anyway).
Also, those of you at universities looking for composing work: Talk with the computer science / engineering advisors, and have them drop your name whenever a student needs music for a project. Offer to do small projects here and there for free, just to build resume. It's at least a start, and if you want to work in games, having done a game already (even a cheap quick student game) is a plus.
Bahamut, music education at Iowa State requires more credits than any other program except architecture (including all engineering majors). It's not even offered as a four-year degree anymore, and you're flat out told you'll take 5 to finish your undergrad.
With that said, I think every major has those classes where you can't pass them unless you're insanely passionate about your degree program: While I understand basic programming and can do C++ and HTML, I could never pass the upper level algorithms class. At the same time, those of you without collegiate music experience would be equally unable to pass music history.
^That's awesome, and exactly what everyone who wants to compose should do EVERY time.