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Higher Education Administration Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026

Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$43K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$53K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.3 yrs

in Little Rock

Cost of Living

85

index (100 = avg)

Higher Education Administration in Little Rock, AR Overview

Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Higher Education Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Student Affairs and Program Development. The adjusted starting salary in Little Rock is approximately $42,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

24

Public Tuition

$9,312/yr

Private Tuition

$13,320/yr

Room & Board

$13,863/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,402/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

49%

Higher Education Administration Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,500($-7,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$52,700($-9,300 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$68,000($-12,000 vs national)

Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.

Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Little Rock

Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Little Rock tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320

Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$92,700

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,750

vs HS diploma in Little Rock

ROI Payback Period

7.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Little Rock

$204,800

Lifetime earnings premium ($297,500) minus total education cost ($92,700)

Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Little Rock

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,053
Total Interest$33,611
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,700
Monthly Payment$1,814
Total Interest$16,127
Interest Savings$17,484

Colleges in Little Rock for Higher Education Administration

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

public

$9,312/yr

$37,248 total

Philander Smith University

private

$13,320/yr

$53,280 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Pulaski Technical College

$3,800/yr

Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Little Rock

Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock — 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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Compare Higher Education Administration ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Little Rock.

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