Music Education Degree in Winston-Salem, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Music Education degree analysis for Winston-Salem, NC. 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
4.5 yrs
in Winston-Salem
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Music Education in Winston-Salem, NC Overview
Winston-Salem is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 19,225. Public tuition averages $6,432/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 Winston-Salem is approximately $53,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$6,432/yr
Private Tuition
$60,894/yr
Room & Board
$11,486/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,995/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
70%
Music Education Salary in Winston-Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Winston-Salem's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Music Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Winston-Salem adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Music Education ROI Calculator for Winston-Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Music Education degree using local Winston-Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,432 | Private avg: $60,894
Winston-Salem avg aid: $16,995/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$71,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Winston-Salem
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Winston-Salem
$193,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($265,000) minus total education cost ($71,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Music Education in Winston-Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Winston-Salem for Music Education
Wake Forest University
private
$60,894/yr
$243,576 total
Winston-Salem State University
public
$6,432/yr
$25,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Forsyth Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Music Education in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Music Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Winston-Salem Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Music Education Job Titles
Music Education in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem — 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 Winston-Salem.