Higher Education Administration Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Administration and management of colleges and universities.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3%
rate
Higher Education Administration Overview
Administration and management of colleges and universities.
Category
Education
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$350K
Female Graduates
62%
Higher Education Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,300
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,300
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$334,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($350,000) minus net degree cost ($15,300)
Higher Education Administration Salary Progression
Common Higher Education Administration Careers
Admissions Counselor
Student Affairs Director
Academic Advisor
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Higher Education Administration
#1
University of Michigan
#2
Penn State
#3
Indiana University
#4
Ohio State
#5
University of Georgia
Related Majors
Higher Education Administration Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Higher Education Administration Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for higher education administration programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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