Education Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Education degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$0
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$0
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
N/A
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Education in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Education programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $0.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Education Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Education salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Education ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Education degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$-42,000
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$-113,292
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Education in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Education
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Education in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Education Job Titles
Education in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$0 starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$0 starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$0 starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$0 starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$0 starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$0 starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$0 starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$0 starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Salem
Instructional Design & Technology
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education Degree in Salem — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Salem.