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Higher Education Administration Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$44K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$55K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Birmingham

Cost of Living

88

index (100 = avg)

Higher Education Administration in Birmingham, AL Overview

Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/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 Birmingham is approximately $44,000.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$10,440/yr

Private Tuition

$36,380/yr

Room & Board

$10,096/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,275/yr

Unemployment

5.9%

Graduation Rate

68%

Higher Education Administration Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,000($-6,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$54,560($-7,440 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$70,400($-9,600 vs national)

Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.

Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Birmingham

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

Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380

Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$82,144

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,200

vs HS diploma in Birmingham

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Birmingham

$225,856

Lifetime earnings premium ($308,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)

Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Birmingham

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$82,144
Monthly Payment$933
Total Interest$29,783
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$82,144
Monthly Payment$1,607
Total Interest$14,291
Interest Savings$15,493

Colleges in Birmingham for Higher Education Administration

University of Alabama at Birmingham

public

$10,440/yr

$41,760 total

Samford University

private

$36,380/yr

$145,520 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Jefferson State Community College

$4,800/yr

Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Birmingham

Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham — 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 Higher Education Administration ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Birmingham.

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