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Higher Education Administration Degree in Amarillo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Amarillo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$67K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.5 yrs

in Amarillo

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Higher Education Administration in Amarillo, TX Overview

Amarillo, Texas (pop. 200,393) has 14 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,096/month. Higher Education Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Student Affairs and Program Development. The adjusted starting salary in Amarillo is approximately $54,000.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

14

Public Tuition

$9,030/yr

Private Tuition

$43,100/yr

Room & Board

$9,166/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,360/yr

Unemployment

4.7%

Graduation Rate

66%

Higher Education Administration Salary in Amarillo (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Amarillo's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,000(+$4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,960(+$4,960 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$86,400(+$6,400 vs national)

Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Amarillo adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Amarillo

Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Amarillo tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $9,030 | Private avg: $43,100

Amarillo avg aid: $15,360/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$72,784

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,200

vs HS diploma in Amarillo

ROI Payback Period

4.5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Amarillo

$305,216

Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($72,784)

Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Amarillo

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$72,784
Monthly Payment$826
Total Interest$26,390
% of Monthly Income18%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$72,784
Monthly Payment$1,424
Total Interest$12,662
Interest Savings$13,728

Colleges in Amarillo for Higher Education Administration

West Texas A&M University

public

$9,030/yr

$36,120 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Amarillo College

$2,604/yr

Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Amarillo

Amarillo offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesStudent AffairsAdmissions OfficesEducation Non-Profits

Key Amarillo Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles

Admissions CounselorStudent Affairs DirectorAcademic Advisor

Higher Education Administration Degree in Amarillo — 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.

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