Healthcare Administration Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Healthcare Administration degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Healthcare Administration in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Healthcare Administration students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Healthcare Administration has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Healthcare Policy and Budgeting skills. The adjusted starting salary in Waukegan is approximately $45,150, growing to $74,046 by mid-career.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Healthcare Administration Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Healthcare Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Healthcare Administration ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Healthcare Administration degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,545
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$425,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($541,800) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Healthcare Administration in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Healthcare Administration
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Healthcare Administration in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Healthcare Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Healthcare Administration Job Titles
Healthcare Administration in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Waukegan
Pharmacy
$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$45K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration Degree in Waukegan — 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 Healthcare Administration ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Waukegan.