Music Education Degree in Rochester, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Rochester, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Rochester, MN Overview
Rochester, Minnesota (pop. 121,395) has 8 colleges offering Music Education programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $933/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 Rochester is approximately $52,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$8,930/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,715/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,803/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Music Education Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,930 | Private avg: $42,000
Rochester avg aid: $11,803/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,580
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$175,920
Lifetime earnings premium ($262,500) minus total education cost ($86,580)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Music Education
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
private
$42,000/yr
$168,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rochester Community and Technical College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Rochester
Instructional Design & Technology
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.