Higher Education Administration Degree in Elgin, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Elgin, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Elgin
Cost of Living
79
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Elgin, IL Overview
Elgin, Illinois (pop. 114,797) has 13 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 79 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,008/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 Elgin is approximately $39,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,014/yr
Private Tuition
$30,900/yr
Room & Board
$9,983/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,897/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
47%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Elgin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Elgin's cost of living index of 79 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Elgin adjustment factor: 0.79x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Elgin
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Elgin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,014 | Private avg: $30,900
Elgin avg aid: $15,897/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,850
vs HS diploma in Elgin
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Elgin
$196,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($276,500) minus total education cost ($79,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Elgin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Elgin for Higher Education Administration
Judson University
private
$30,900/yr
$123,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Elgin Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Elgin
Elgin offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Elgin Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education 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
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Elgin
Instructional Design & Technology
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Elgin — 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 Elgin.