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Music Education Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

Music Education degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$51K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Music Education in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/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 Jackson is approximately $46,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Music Education Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$51,150($-3,850 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$60,450($-4,550 vs national)

Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Music Education ROI Calculator for Jackson

Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$146,408

Lifetime earnings premium ($232,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Music Education

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Music Education in Jackson

Jackson offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Public SchoolsPrivate SchoolsCommunity Music SchoolsUniversitiesArts Organizations

Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Music Education Job Titles

Music TeacherBand DirectorChoir DirectorPrivate Instructor

Music Education Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.

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