Music Education Degree in Pasadena, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Pasadena, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Pasadena
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Pasadena, TX Overview
Pasadena, Texas (pop. 152,272) has 6 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 88.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/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 Pasadena is approximately $44,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,948/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,306/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
51%
Music Education Salary in Pasadena (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pasadena's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Pasadena adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Pasadena
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Pasadena tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Pasadena avg aid: $9,306/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Pasadena
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pasadena
$121,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($221,250) minus total education cost ($99,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Pasadena
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pasadena for Music Education
Pasadena State University
public
$10,249/yr
$40,996 total
University of Pasadena
public
$12,075/yr
$48,300 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pasadena Community College
$5,344/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Pasadena
Pasadena offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pasadena Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Education Majors in Pasadena
Instructional Design & Technology
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$44K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Pasadena — 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 Pasadena.