Higher Education Administration Degree in Orlando, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Orlando, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Orlando
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Orlando, FL Overview
Orlando, Florida (pop. 307,573) has 16 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $804/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 Orlando is approximately $48,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$6,368/yr
Private Tuition
$44,990/yr
Room & Board
$9,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,728/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
75%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Orlando (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Orlando's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Orlando adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Orlando
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Orlando tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,368 | Private avg: $44,990
Orlando avg aid: $11,728/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,404
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,400
vs HS diploma in Orlando
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Orlando
$271,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($336,000) minus total education cost ($64,404)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Orlando
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Orlando for Higher Education Administration
University of Central Florida
public
$6,368/yr
$25,472 total
Rollins College
private
$44,990/yr
$179,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Valencia College
$3,110/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Orlando
Orlando offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Orlando Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Education Majors in Orlando
Instructional Design & Technology
$48K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in Orlando — 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 Orlando.