Higher Education Administration Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,330/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 Honolulu is approximately $60,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$12,186/yr
Private Tuition
$27,060/yr
Room & Board
$12,570/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,299/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
54%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Honolulu tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,186 | Private avg: $27,060
Honolulu avg aid: $12,299/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$324,476
Lifetime earnings premium ($423,500) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Higher Education Administration
University of Hawaii at Manoa
public
$12,186/yr
$48,744 total
Chaminade University of Honolulu
private
$27,060/yr
$108,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Honolulu Community College
$3,432/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Other Education Majors in Honolulu
Instructional Design & Technology
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$61K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$61K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Honolulu — 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 Honolulu.