Higher Education Administration Degree in Brownsville, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Brownsville, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.6 yrs
in Brownsville
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Brownsville, TX Overview
Brownsville, Texas (pop. 186,738) has 7 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $868/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 Brownsville is approximately $41,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$8,416/yr
Private Tuition
$32,593/yr
Room & Board
$12,079/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,908/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Brownsville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Brownsville's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Brownsville adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Brownsville
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Brownsville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,416 | Private avg: $32,593
Brownsville avg aid: $12,908/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,980
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Brownsville
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Brownsville
$208,520
Lifetime earnings premium ($290,500) minus total education cost ($81,980)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Brownsville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Brownsville for Higher Education Administration
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
public
$8,416/yr
$33,664 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Texas Southmost College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Brownsville
Brownsville offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Brownsville Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Education Majors in Brownsville
Instructional Design & Technology
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Brownsville — 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 Brownsville.