Higher Education Administration Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Higher Education Administration students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Higher Education Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Student Affairs and Program Development. The adjusted starting salary in Frederick is approximately $56,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$288,650
Lifetime earnings premium ($393,750) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Higher Education Administration
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Frederick
Instructional Design & Technology
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Frederick — 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 Frederick.