Higher Education Administration Degree in Wilmington, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Higher Education Administration degree analysis for Wilmington, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Wilmington
Cost of Living
95
index (100 = avg)
Higher Education Administration in Wilmington, NC Overview
While Wilmington has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Higher Education Administration students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $9,779/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Higher Education Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Student Affairs and Program Development. The adjusted starting salary in Wilmington is approximately $47,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$7,287/yr
Private Tuition
$34,393/yr
Room & Board
$9,779/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,831/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Higher Education Administration Salary in Wilmington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wilmington's cost of living index of 95 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Higher Education Administration salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Wilmington adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Higher Education Administration ROI Calculator for Wilmington
Estimate your return on investment for a Higher Education Administration degree using local Wilmington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,287 | Private avg: $34,393
Wilmington avg aid: $13,831/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$68,264
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,250
vs HS diploma in Wilmington
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wilmington
$264,236
Lifetime earnings premium ($332,500) minus total education cost ($68,264)
Student Loan Payoff for Higher Education Administration in Wilmington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wilmington for Higher Education Administration
University of North Carolina Wilmington
public
$7,287/yr
$29,148 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cape Fear Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Higher Education Administration in Wilmington
Wilmington offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Higher Education Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wilmington Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Higher Education Administration Job Titles
Higher Education Administration in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Wilmington
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 Wilmington — 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 Wilmington.