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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).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$57,660($-4,340 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$74,400($-5,600 vs national)

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)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

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:

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesStudent AffairsAdmissions OfficesEducation Non-Profits

Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles

Admissions CounselorStudent Affairs DirectorAcademic Advisor

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.

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