Higher Education Administration Degree in Louisville, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Louisville, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Louisville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Louisville, KY Overview
Louisville, Kentucky (pop. 633,045) has 17 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,349/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 Louisville is approximately $45,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$12,324/yr
Private Tuition
$37,190/yr
Room & Board
$12,044/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,150/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
58%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Louisville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Louisville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Louisville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Louisville
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Louisville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,324 | Private avg: $37,190
Louisville avg aid: $16,150/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Louisville
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Louisville
$217,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($315,000) minus total education cost ($97,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Louisville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Louisville for Higher Education Administration
University of Louisville
public
$12,324/yr
$49,296 total
Bellarmine University
private
$45,790/yr
$183,160 total
Spalding University
private
$28,590/yr
$114,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Louisville
Louisville offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Louisville Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Education Majors in Louisville
Instructional Design & Technology
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Louisville — 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 Louisville.