Music Education Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Preparation for teaching music in schools and educational settings.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
6 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3%
rate
Music Education Overview
Preparation for teaching music in schools and educational settings.
Category
Education
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
72%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$250K
Female Graduates
52%
Music Education Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$233,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Music Education Salary Progression
Common Music Education Careers
Music Teacher
Band Director
Choir Director
Private Instructor
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Music Education
#1
Indiana University
#2
University of Michigan
#3
Eastman
#4
Oberlin
#5
Ithaca College
Related Majors
Music Education Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Music Education Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for music education programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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