Higher Education Administration Degree in St. Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for St. Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in St. Paul
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in St. Paul, MN Overview
St. Paul, Minnesota (pop. 308,096) has 20 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $843/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 St. Paul is approximately $54,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$10,448/yr
Private Tuition
$52,990/yr
Room & Board
$13,408/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,005/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
70%
Higher Education Administration Salary in St. Paul (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for St. Paul's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.St. Paul adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for St. Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local St. Paul tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,448 | Private avg: $52,990
St. Paul avg aid: $15,005/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in St. Paul
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in St. Paul
$282,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($95,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in St. Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in St. Paul for Higher Education Administration
Hamline University
private
$45,776/yr
$183,104 total
Macalester College
private
$60,204/yr
$240,816 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Saint Paul College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in St. Paul
St. Paul offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key St. Paul Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in St. Paul
Instructional Design & Technology
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration Degree in St. Paul — 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 St. Paul.