Music Education Degree in Cambridge, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Cambridge, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Cambridge
Cost of Living
133
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Cambridge, MA Overview
Cambridge, Massachusetts (pop. 118,403) has 6 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,322/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 Cambridge is approximately $66,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$13,207/yr
Private Tuition
$57,624/yr
Room & Board
$17,447/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,677/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
75%
Music Education Salary in Cambridge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cambridge's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Cambridge adjustment factor: 1.33x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Cambridge
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Cambridge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,207 | Private avg: $57,624
Cambridge avg aid: $14,677/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,950
vs HS diploma in Cambridge
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cambridge
$209,884
Lifetime earnings premium ($332,500) minus total education cost ($122,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Cambridge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cambridge for Music Education
Harvard University
private
$57,261/yr
$229,044 total
MIT
private
$57,986/yr
$231,944 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Cambridge
Cambridge offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cambridge Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Cambridge
Instructional Design & Technology
$67K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$67K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$67K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$67K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Cambridge — 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 Cambridge.