Music Education Degree in Durham, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Durham, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Durham
Cost of Living
109
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Durham, NC Overview
Durham is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 25 institutions and a student population of 56,021. Public tuition averages $6,477/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Durham is approximately $54,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
25
Public Tuition
$6,477/yr
Private Tuition
$62,688/yr
Room & Board
$14,101/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,850/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
54%
Music Education Salary in Durham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Durham's cost of living index of 109 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Durham adjustment factor: 1.09x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Durham
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Durham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,477 | Private avg: $62,688
Durham avg aid: $13,850/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,312
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,350
vs HS diploma in Durham
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Durham
$190,188
Lifetime earnings premium ($272,500) minus total education cost ($82,312)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Durham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Durham for Music Education
Duke University
private
$62,688/yr
$250,752 total
North Carolina Central University
public
$6,477/yr
$25,908 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Durham Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Durham
Durham offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Durham Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Durham
Instructional Design & Technology
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$55K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Durham — 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 Durham.