Music Education Degree in Glendale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Glendale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
162.4
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Glendale, CA Overview
Glendale, California (pop. 196,543) has 8 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 162.4 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,670/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 Glendale is approximately $81,200.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,677/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,738/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
54%
Music Education Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 162.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Glendale avg aid: $11,738/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,360
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$281,292
Lifetime earnings premium ($406,000) minus total education cost ($124,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Music Education
Glendale State University
public
$14,651/yr
$58,604 total
University of Glendale
public
$14,900/yr
$59,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$6,504/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Glendale
Instructional Design & Technology
$81K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$81K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$81K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.