Careers in Higher Education

Higher education professionals work at postsecondary institutions as professors, researchers, or administrators. Higher education majors study educational theories and techniques related to college courses.

On this page, readers can find information about different higher education career paths. This guide also details common educational requirements, salary potential, career outlook, and professional development opportunities in the field.

Careers in higher education require critical and analytical thinking, oral and written communication, and organization skills. Most higher education professionals work in a classroom or an office.

Many careers for a higher education major require a master’s or doctoral degree. For example, most college professors need a doctorate in their field. These degrees take many years to earn, but allow for a high level of specialization.

Careers with a higher education degree typically involve interactions with college students. Professors, in particular, must manage their time efficiently and plan ahead to balance personal research projects with teaching.

Every state needs professionals in higher education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the top industries hiring educational administrators include colleges and universities, junior colleges, and technical and trade schools.

California and Massachusetts hire the most educational administrators, while New Jersey and New York offer the highest average annual salaries.

Below, readers can find more information about the salary outlook for a few common jobs in higher education. The table provides the median annual salaries for these careers based on a worker’s experience level.

Readers should keep in mind that wages can change significantly depending on a professional’s education level and location. When looking for employment, aspiring higher education professionals should consider factors like cost of living and employment demand.

Degree-seekers enrolled in higher education programs learn to help students achieve their academic goals by conducting individualized advising sessions and developing support services. Prospective administrators also build organizational and public policy skills, including specific competencies that bolster diversity and help institutions maintain accreditation.

Because the higher education landscape continually evolves, professionals in this field strengthen their skills after graduation by completing professional training programs and earning specialized certifications.

Higher education students learn to convey complex information to nonexpert audiences through oral and multimedia forms. Students also learn to produce technical documents, working through the writing cycle and examining research and citation.

Ethical leadership provides the framework professionals need to conduct thoughtful analyses and make sensible decisions. Students delve into management systems theories and practical strategies, including how to form partnerships and affect organizational culture. They also examine motivation and corporate social responsibility.

All administrators must understand the structure and governance of higher education institutions. They learn the different operating models for community colleges, universities, and for-profit schools. In addition to administrative functions, students learn about higher education policies, including government regulations relevant to financing and assessment systems.

Higher education administrators support individual programmatic areas, as well as the overall institutional mission. They learn to promote holistic student development, which includes social, emotional, moral, and intellectual growth. Administrators also examine multicultural student community development, which highlights how a learner’s background informs their needs.

Students examine the roles of budget officers and how financial planning affects an institution’s operations. They learn to assess budgets, strategically allocate resources, and use alternative financing methods. They also explore how macroeconomic factors impact a school’s cost structures and revenue streams.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Careers for a higher education major offer many specializations. For example, learners can prepare for roles dealing with student development and higher education technologies. Many higher education professionals end up working in colleges, but they can also find careers in other settings.

Below, readers can find out more about different specializations for careers in higher education.

This concentration teaches participants to assess and meet the diverse needs of learners. Coursework centers on student learning styles, characteristics, and values. Degree-seekers also learn to evaluate the impact of college education on students’ lives to develop prommagratic and educational interventions.

This concentration teaches students to integrate educational software to enrich classroom discussion and student engagement. Coursework investigates blended learning environments, instructional computing, and advanced instructional design. Students also delve into distance teaching with regard to educational standards and available tools.

In this concentration, students learn the fundamentals of student recruitment in the context of changing regional demographics. They explore the interactions between admissions, institutional aid, and federal funding policies. Typically, an enrollment management concentration also covers marketing and communications.

In this concentration, students explore the effects of globalization on higher education, including enrollment strategies and institutional governance. This concentration prepares administrators for positions with accreditation agencies, international education associations, and NGOs.

This concentration covers the history, development, and working philosophies of community colleges. Students examine operational models for two-year schools in relation to distinct student populations and workforce development. Additional topics include the legal aspects of higher education, program development, and organizational behavior.

The higher education careers you can access depend on your education level. Undergraduate programs teach the foundational skills and knowledge needed for entry-level positions. By earning a master’s degree, you can work as a postsecondary education administrator in admissions, academic advising, career services, or student leadership programs.

Entry-level administrators generally spend their first few years fulfilling assigned duties. Depending on your role, you may also travel to recruit potential students and network with colleagues.

As you build work experience, you can advance into positions like senior program manager, consultant, and dean. For the most advanced positions, you need a doctoral degree. Many higher education institutions provide free or greatly reduced tuition to employees, allowing you to earn your Ph.D. or Ed.D. at a discount.

A Bachelor’s degree in education requires approximately 120 credits. Full-time students can graduate in four years. However, learners can expedite graduation by enrolling in accelerated tracks.

Schools seldom offer undergraduate degrees in higher education administration. Instead, students usually enroll in programs that align with the administrative role they want to occupy.

For example, students who want to work as HR coordinators typically pursue degrees in business administration with a concentration in human resources. They take classes like employment and labor law, performance appraisal, and compensations and benefits.

A bachelor’s degree in communication can also prove useful for aspiring higher education administrators. These programs provide students with transferable skills, such as those related to technical writing and public relations.

To earn a master’s degree in higher education, students must typically complete at least 30 credits. Schools may offer on-campus and online options. Most programs require 1-2 years to finish, although working professionals often take 4-5 years to graduate.

Core coursework focuses on topics like student development, leadership, and diversity in higher education. Master’s students also learn to implement resource management techniques for long-term institutional and strategic planning.

Learners take advanced courses in their chosen concentration and complete a capstone requirement. During this culminating experience, students work with faculty advisors to develop and execute a project.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Doctoral programs in higher education typically require 60-90 credits. Students graduate in 3-5 years depending on their dissertation requirements. Learners can pursue on-campus or online programs.

Doctoral candidates can pursue a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. Ph.D. programs emphasize teaching and research, which suits students who want to work as postsecondary teachers and applied researchers. Ed.D. tracks prepare learners to solve problems in the higher education system as administrators, trainers, and consultants.

A Ph.D. student writes a research-centered dissertation, while an Ed.D. candidate typically completes a community-based project.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Higher education professionals can pursue continuing education or professional development opportunities after earning a degree in higher education. These options help them stay current with the latest methods in the field. Continuing education and professional development also help higher education professionals learn new skills and gain experience with new technologies.

Below, readers can find more information about next steps for higher education professionals after they earn a degree. The following sections explore certification and licensure requirements, continuing education options, and additional steps that professionals in this field can take.

Some careers require certification or licensure after graduation. Certifications come from professional organizations, companies, or other independent organizations, whereas professionals receive licensure from government agencies.

Not many higher education careers require certification or licensure. While teaching jobs in elementary or secondary schools often require state licensure, professor positions at universities typically do not.

Depending on their subject of expertise, some professors may need a license or certification to teach. For example, a nursing professor may need a current RN license. Administrators may also seek additional training to master emerging technologies or to increase their efficiency.

Readers should research certification and licensure requirements for their chosen careers.

Continuing education takes place after a student graduates and starts their career. This method of professional development helps professionals learn about new theories and advancements in their field.

Colleges offer certificate and diploma programs for professionals in specific subject areas. These programs typically last less than a year, and professionals must pay tuition to attend these classes.

Some colleges also offer free continuing education courses, including massive open online courses (MOOCs). MOOCs usually consist of one class — or sometimes a series of classes — on a single topic. Students in MOOCs can sometimes earn a certificate of completion.

Higher education professionals should explore the resources provided by professional organizations. These groups bring together qualified individuals in the same field and help set relevant professional standards.

Professional organizations also offer networking opportunities, such as conferences and workshops. Networking allows professionals to connect with their peers and collaborate on common issues. Networking can also lead to new job opportunities or chances for career advancement.

Many professional organizations provide online resources, such as scholarly publications, continuing education classes, and certification courses. Most professional organizations restrict full use of their resources to members.

Readers can join most professional organizations as a student or as a working professional. Many industries offer their own professional organizations. Readers should research which organization best suits their needs.

Higher education professionals can work in any state across the country. Most of these professionals find jobs at community colleges, four-year universities, and technical schools. Some might work for government agencies and help form education policy. Job prospects differ depending on a worker’s education level, location, and field of interest.

California, Massachusetts, and Texas employ the most education administrators in the country. California alone employs almost 12,000 professionals in the field.

However, the states with the highest level of employment do not always match the locations with the highest salaries. Education administrators in New Jersey and New York make the highest average annual salaries, earning $154,430 and $140,870, respectively.

Remember that wages can also differ based on a worker’s experience and education levels.

Below, readers can learn about relevant professional organizations, open courseware options, and scholarly publications. These resources can help students and professionals discover emerging practices in higher education and connect with their peers.

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers: AACRAO supports more than 11,000 higher education professionals in 40 countries. The association establishes standards in areas like student services and administrative information technology. Members connect through annual meetings, strategic enrollment management conferences, and leadership summits. AACRAO delivers on-site training and online courses. Administrators also benefit from career guidance and job listings.

American Association of University Professors: Founded in 1915, AAUP helps higher education faculty and professionals expand academic freedom and shared governance within their institutions. Membership benefits include webinars, advocacy toolkits, and discounts on research materials and health insurance.

National Association of College and University Business Officers: NACUBO serves financial and business officers from over 1,900 U.S. higher education institutions. The association conducts research and advocates for issues like higher education aid and government endowments. Members enjoy professional development opportunities like leadership programs, a speakers series, and annual conferences.

National Association of Student Personnel Administrators: NASPA was established in 1918 and currently comprises more than 15,000 members worldwide. The association funds research initiatives in areas like globalism, assessment and evaluation, and civic learning and democratic engagement. Members connect through volunteer opportunities and regional and international meetings. NASPA’s online learning community offers short courses and connected conferences.

National Association for College Admission Counseling: Since 1937, NACAC has provided networking and skill development opportunities to over 15,000 admissions counselors. Members can take e-learning courses in topics like financial aid and student-athlete advising processes. The association also offers webinars, leadership training programs, and continuing education resources.

Leading for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education – University of Michigan: This fully online course takes about 16 hours to complete. Students explore leadership in higher education. The course focuses on the history of equity and diversity in postsecondary institutions and how new leadership techniques may increase inclusivity.

Disability Awareness and Support – University of Pittsburgh: This seven-hour course explains how to support students with disabilities at postsecondary institutions, allowing them to participate fully in all the opportunities that colleges offer. Participants explore assistive technologies available to people with disabilities and how to incorporate these into the classroom and daily life.

Resilient Teaching Through Times of Crisis and Change – University of Michigan: This 25-hour course teaches students how to adapt to disruptions, both inside and out of the classroom. The course explores how to create new dynamics between teachers and students, allowing classrooms to accept a broader definition of learning experiences.

An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: This 17-hour course covers the fundamentals of inclusivity and accessible design in higher education. Students learn about the legislation governing disability rights and how it applies to postsecondary institutions. The course uses videos to give first-hand perspectives on disabilities and learning.

Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine: This national monthly magazine publishes stories about the Hispanic experience in education. The publication explores education news and updates, innovations in theory and technology, and the latest trends in education. The magazine sometimes offers themed issues that emphasize topics like financing college tuition and finding graduate schools.

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education: This journal explores the Black perspective and experience in higher education. Readers can find information about racial incidents on individual campuses across the country. The journal also offers useful online resources on grants for students, historically Black colleges and universities, and graduate schools.

Journal on Excellence in College Teaching: This peer-reviewed journal helps academics increase student participation in postsecondary institutions and classrooms. The publication explores effective teaching methods, insights about how students learn, and studies on educational development. The journal’s primary readers are teachers at four-year universities and community colleges. Readers need a membership to access the journal online.

Liberal Education: Published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, this magazine offers a voice to teachers, faculty, and staff at postsecondary institutions. The publication offers articles about liberal arts education, covering topics such as educational leadership and institutional change.

Peer Review: A quarterly publication published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, this journal examines emerging trends in undergraduate education at postsecondary institutions. Each issue focuses on a specific education topic, providing in-depth analysis and on-campus perspectives. Readers can find this publication online.

The Review of Higher Education: Published by Johns Hopkins University, this journal offers cutting-edge research in higher education. The journal publishes peer-reviewed, empirical research studies and scholarly essays about historical and theoretical issues at colleges and universities. Readers can subscribe online.

Aspiring higher education professionals can find work in every state across the country. These professionals engage with peers at the top of their fields and help shape the minds of tomorrow. Readers can find careers with a higher education degree at colleges and technical schools or use their skills to become administrators.

A higher education degree allows graduates to pursue careers primarily at postsecondary institutions. Some graduates also become administrators at large organizations, such as hospitals. Many professionals in this field become professors, teaching courses and conducting research in a specific field.

The BLS projects that certain higher education careers will see ample growth between 2018 and 2028. For example, the BLS projects that postsecondary teachers will experience 11% growth over that time frame — a rate much higher than the national average. Similarly, postsecondary education administrators are projected to experience 7% growth.

The level of education professionals need to work at a college or university depends on a job. Professors typically need a doctoral degree in their field. However, postsecondary educational administrators may only need a master’s degree. Readers should research individual requirements for potential jobs.

Salary potential differs depending on a worker’s job, experience level, and location. However, the BLS reported that educational administrators earned a median annual salary of $95,410 in 2019. Postsecondary teachers earned a median annual salary of $79,540 in the same year.