Music Education Degree in Silver Spring, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Silver Spring, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Silver Spring
Cost of Living
122.5
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Silver Spring, MD Overview
While Silver Spring has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Music Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,215/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Silver Spring is approximately $61,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,215/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
75%
Music Education Salary in Silver Spring (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Silver Spring's cost of living index of 122.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Silver Spring adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Silver Spring
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Silver Spring tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Silver Spring avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,060
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,375
vs HS diploma in Silver Spring
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Silver Spring
$206,190
Lifetime earnings premium ($306,250) minus total education cost ($100,060)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Silver Spring
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Silver Spring for Music Education
Silver Spring State University
public
$10,864/yr
$43,456 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Silver Spring Community College
$5,576/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Silver Spring
Silver Spring offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Silver Spring Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Silver Spring
Instructional Design & Technology
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$61K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Physical Education
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$61K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Music Education Degree in Silver Spring — 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 Silver Spring.