What is the starting salary for Music graduates in Cleveland?

The estimated starting salary for Music graduates in Cleveland, OH is $38,400 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 96. The national average starting salary for this major is $40,000. Salaries in Cleveland are 4% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Music degree worth it in Cleveland?

A Music degree in Cleveland has an estimated ROI payback period of 18.1 years, with a projected lifetime return of $9,344 after subtracting education costs. With 20 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $11,270/year, Cleveland offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 6% and the major's national unemployment rate of 5.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Music in Cleveland?

The average annual public university tuition in Cleveland is $11,270, while private universities average $49,395/year. Including room and board ($10,394/year), total 4-year costs range from $86,656 at a public school to $239,156 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Cleveland is $7,310/year.

What jobs can Music graduates get in Cleveland?

Music graduates in Cleveland can pursue careers as Musician, Music Director, Composer, Music Teacher. Key skills valued by local employers include Performance, Music Theory, Composition, Audio Production. The Cleveland job market features Publishing, Non-profits, Education among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Orchestras, Schools, Recording Studios.

How long to pay off student loans for Music in Cleveland?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Music graduates in Cleveland would pay $984/month on an estimated $86,656 in loans, with $31,419 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,696/month but save $16,344 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $38,400, monthly payments would represent 31% of gross monthly income.

Music Degree in Cleveland, OH — Salary & ROI 2026

Music degree analysis for Cleveland, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$38K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$53K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

18.1 yrs

in Cleveland

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Music in Cleveland, OH Overview

Cleveland, Ohio (pop. 372,624) has 20 colleges offering Music programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,156/month. Although national enrollment in Music has been declining, graduates with skills in Performance and Music Theory remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Cleveland is approximately $38,400.

Music Salary in Cleveland (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Cleveland's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$38,400($-1,600 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$52,800($-2,200 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$65,280($-2,720 vs national)

Note: National average Music salary: $40,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Cleveland adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.

Music ROI Calculator for Cleveland

Estimate your return on investment for a Music degree using local Cleveland tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $11,270 | Private avg: $49,395

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Cleveland avg aid: $7,310/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,656

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$4,800

vs HS diploma in Cleveland

ROI Payback Period

18.1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Cleveland

$9,344

Lifetime earnings premium ($96,000) minus total education cost ($86,656)

Student Loan Payoff for Music in Cleveland

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,656

Monthly Payment$984

Total Interest$31,419

% of Monthly Income31%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,656

Monthly Payment$1,696

Total Interest$15,075

Interest Savings$16,344

Colleges in Cleveland for Music

Case Western Reserve University

private

$56,480/yr

$225,920 total

Cleveland State University

public

$11,270/yr

$45,080 total

John Carroll University

private

$42,310/yr

$169,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Cuyahoga Community College

$4,344/yr

Top Employers for Music in Cleveland

Cleveland offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Music graduates. National top employers in this field include:

OrchestrasSchoolsRecording StudiosMusic PublishersSelf-Employed

Key Cleveland Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Music Job Titles

MusicianMusic DirectorComposerMusic Teacher

Music in Nearby Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH

$41K starting · COL 103

31 colleges

Cincinnati, OH

$41K starting · COL 102

28 colleges

Toledo, OH

$43K starting · COL 108

16 colleges

Akron, OH

$42K starting · COL 105

5 colleges

Dayton, OH

$42K starting · COL 104

9 colleges

Parma, OH

$36K starting · COL 90

4 colleges

Canton, OH

$34K starting · COL 84

4 colleges

Lorain, OH

$34K starting · COL 85.2

3 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Cleveland

Chinese Studies

$53K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Philosophy

$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$40K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$43K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$48K starting · 8 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Music degree outcomes in Cleveland, OH: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Music programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Ohio.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Cleveland using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Music graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Music career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Music grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Cleveland Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Ohio students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Ohio)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Ohio programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "ohio higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Music Degree in Cleveland — 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 ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Cleveland.

Music Overview Colleges in Cleveland All Majors