Music Education Degree in New Orleans, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for New Orleans, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in New Orleans
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in New Orleans, LA Overview
New Orleans is one of Louisiana's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 36,626. Public tuition averages $8,834/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 New Orleans is approximately $45,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$8,834/yr
Private Tuition
$53,112/yr
Room & Board
$11,173/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,952/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
70%
Music Education Salary in New Orleans (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Orleans's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.New Orleans adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for New Orleans
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local New Orleans tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,834 | Private avg: $53,112
New Orleans avg aid: $15,952/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,028
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in New Orleans
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Orleans
$144,972
Lifetime earnings premium ($225,000) minus total education cost ($80,028)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in New Orleans
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Orleans for Music Education
Tulane University
private
$62,844/yr
$251,376 total
University of New Orleans
public
$8,834/yr
$35,336 total
Loyola University New Orleans
private
$43,380/yr
$173,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Delgado Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in New Orleans
New Orleans offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Orleans Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Louisiana Cities
Baton Rouge, LA
$41K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$50K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$45K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$40K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$44K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in New Orleans
Instructional Design & Technology
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in New Orleans — 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 New Orleans.