Higher Education Administration Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Higher Education Administration students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Higher Education Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Student Affairs and Program Development. The adjusted starting salary in Lowell is approximately $56,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$270,358
Lifetime earnings premium ($393,750) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Higher Education Administration
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Lowell
Instructional Design & Technology
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Lowell — 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 Lowell.