by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 258 U.S. colleges awarded 4,258 degrees and certificates in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 134 schools in its 2027 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing, rising to $75,584 after four years.
A major in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration covers Higher Education/higher Education Administration. A Program That Focuses On The Principles And Practice Of Administration In Four-Year Colleges, Universities And Higher Education Systems, The Study Of Higher Education As An Object Of Applied Research, And Which May Prepare Individuals To Function As Administrators In Such Settings. Includes Instruction In Higher Education Economics And Finance; Policy And Planning Studies; Curriculum; Faculty And Labor Relations; Higher Education Law; College Student Services; Research On Higher Education; Institutional Research; Marketing And Promotion; And Issues Of Evaluation, Accountability And Philosophy. Examples: [Higher Education Policy].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, higher education/higher education administration draws strong interest, with 4,258 degrees awarded annually. 258 colleges award higher education/higher education administration degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 375.
By level, the 4,258 awards include 9 associate degrees, 1 bachelor’s degrees, 3,192 master’s degrees and 1,054 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of higher education/higher education administration degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,962 of 4,258). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,018) and Black or African American (839), and international students earned 155.
College Factual ranks 134 schools in its 2027 Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools ranking, including 112 for master’s degrees and 51 for doctorates. It also ranks higher education/higher education administration schools within 36 states. In all, 258 colleges offer higher education/higher education administration programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common higher education/higher education administration credential is the master’s degree: 3,192 of the 4,258 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to higher education/higher education administration call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Time Management, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a higher education/higher education administration degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,192 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,054 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to higher education/higher education administration, at 47.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 37.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, with an average median salary of $126,634. Typical job titles include Extension Work Director, Testing Director, Education Director and Enrollment Management Vice President (Enrollment Management VP).
The occupation related to higher education/higher education administration with the most projected jobs is Education Administrators, Postsecondary, at 237,062.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | 237,062 | -1.7% |
| Education Administrators, All Other | 234,350 | -0.8% |
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing their program, $75,584 after four years and $74,368 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $65,167 |
| 4 years | $75,584 |
| 5 years | $74,368 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to higher education/higher education administration, with a median salary of $161,927.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $161,927 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $91,340 |
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration has 13 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 40,488 degrees a year; the largest are Educational Leadership and Administration, General (31,629), Educational Administration and Supervision, Other (2,266) and Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision (1,919). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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