Higher Education Administration Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/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 Jackson is approximately $46,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$239,408
Lifetime earnings premium ($325,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Higher Education Administration
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Education Majors in Jackson
Instructional Design & Technology
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.