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).
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)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
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:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$70K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Syracuse
Instructional Design & Technology
$69K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$69K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$69K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
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.