Higher Education Administration Degree in Mobile, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Mobile, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Mobile
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Mobile, AL Overview
Mobile, Alabama (pop. 187,041) has 12 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,083/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 Mobile is approximately $49,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,100/yr
Private Tuition
$41,360/yr
Room & Board
$13,457/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,004/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
73%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Mobile (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mobile's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Mobile adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Mobile
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Mobile tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,100 | Private avg: $41,360
Mobile avg aid: $12,004/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$98,228
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,700
vs HS diploma in Mobile
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mobile
$244,772
Lifetime earnings premium ($343,000) minus total education cost ($98,228)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Mobile
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mobile for Higher Education Administration
University of South Alabama
public
$11,100/yr
$44,400 total
Spring Hill College
private
$41,360/yr
$165,440 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bishop State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Mobile
Mobile offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mobile Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Mobile
Instructional Design & Technology
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Mobile — 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 Mobile.