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Music Education Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$43K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$47K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.3 yrs

in Little Rock

Cost of Living

85

index (100 = avg)

Music Education in Little Rock, AR Overview

Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/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 Little Rock is approximately $42,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

24

Public Tuition

$9,312/yr

Private Tuition

$13,320/yr

Room & Board

$13,863/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,402/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

49%

Music Education Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,500($-7,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$46,750($-8,250 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$55,250($-9,750 vs national)

Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.

Music Education ROI Calculator for Little Rock

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

Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320

Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$92,700

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,750

vs HS diploma in Little Rock

ROI Payback Period

7.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Little Rock

$119,800

Lifetime earnings premium ($212,500) minus total education cost ($92,700)

Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Little Rock

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,053
Total Interest$33,611
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,814
Total Interest$16,127
Interest Savings$17,484

Colleges in Little Rock for Music Education

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

public

$9,312/yr

$37,248 total

Philander Smith University

private

$13,320/yr

$53,280 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Pulaski Technical College

$3,800/yr

Top Employers for Music Education in Little Rock

Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock — 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 Little Rock.

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