Music Education Degree in Alexandria, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Alexandria, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Alexandria
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Alexandria, VA Overview
Alexandria, Virginia (pop. 159,467) has 8 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $930/month. Although national enrollment in Music Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Music Theory and Conducting remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Alexandria is approximately $51,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,726/yr
Private Tuition
$40,924/yr
Room & Board
$9,270/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,142/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
74%
Music Education Salary in Alexandria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Alexandria's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Alexandria adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Alexandria
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Alexandria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,726 | Private avg: $40,924
Alexandria avg aid: $8,142/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,984
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,300
vs HS diploma in Alexandria
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Alexandria
$159,016
Lifetime earnings premium ($255,000) minus total education cost ($95,984)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Alexandria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Alexandria for Music Education
Virginia Tech Northern Virginia
public
$14,726/yr
$58,904 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Northern Virginia Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Alexandria
Alexandria offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Alexandria Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Alexandria
Instructional Design & Technology
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$51K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Alexandria — 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 Music Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Alexandria.