Music Education Degree in Hillsboro, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Hillsboro, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Hillsboro
Cost of Living
115.5
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Hillsboro, OR Overview
While Hillsboro has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Music Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,938/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Hillsboro is approximately $57,750.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,549/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Music Education Salary in Hillsboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hillsboro's cost of living index of 115.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Hillsboro adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Hillsboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Hillsboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Hillsboro avg aid: $9,549/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,352
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,325
vs HS diploma in Hillsboro
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hillsboro
$183,398
Lifetime earnings premium ($288,750) minus total education cost ($105,352)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Hillsboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hillsboro for Music Education
Hillsboro State University
public
$12,045/yr
$48,180 total
University of Hillsboro
public
$13,855/yr
$55,420 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hillsboro Community College
$5,881/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Hillsboro
Hillsboro offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hillsboro Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Hillsboro
Instructional Design & Technology
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$58K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$58K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Hillsboro — 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 Hillsboro.