DegreeCalc

Higher Education Administration Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$69K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$85K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

Higher Education Administration in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Higher Education Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/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 Syracuse is approximately $68,500.

Category

Education

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

Higher Education Administration Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,500(+$18,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$84,940(+$22,940 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$109,600(+$29,600 vs national)

Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Syracuse

Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$20,550

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$342,700

Lifetime earnings premium ($479,500) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for Higher Education Administration

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Syracuse

Syracuse offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesStudent AffairsAdmissions OfficesEducation Non-Profits

Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles

Admissions CounselorStudent Affairs DirectorAcademic Advisor

Higher Education Administration Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators