Best institutions to study 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.
258 U.S. institutions graduated 4,257 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0406, a specialization of Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04), and leads most directly to the Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 11-9033).
About Higher Education/Higher Education Administration programs
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.
See also: 13.1102 - College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Higher Education/Higher Education Administration program focuses on the principles and practices of administration within four-year colleges, universities, and higher education systems. It is designed for individuals aspiring to become effective administrators in these settings, providing a comprehensive understanding of higher education as an area of applied research.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing, along with knowledge in administration and management, education and training, and personnel management. Coursework may cover topics such as higher education economics, policy studies, and institutional research.
Credentials awarded
What Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree2,847 graduates / yr · 197 institutions67%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship916 graduates / yr · 98 institutions22%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate275 graduates / yr · 39 institutions6.5%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice138 graduates / yr · 7 institutions3.2%
- Post-master's certificate62 graduates / yr · 15 institutions1.5%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Doctor's degree - other3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Bachelor's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,931 |
| 2013 | 3,188 |
| 2014 | 3,495 |
| 2015 | 3,615 |
| 2016 | 3,728 |
| 2017 | 3,856 |
| 2018 | 4,052 |
| 2019 | 3,968 |
| 2020 | 4,341 |
| 2021 | 4,711 |
| 2022 | 5,016 |
| 2023 | 4,658 |
| 2024 | 4,403 |
| 2025 | 4,257 |
Top 50 institutions for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 375 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 2 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 199 | 61% | — | — |
| 3 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 133 | 42% | $20,346 | — |
| 4 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 95 | 50% | — | $32,527 |
| 5 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 87 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 84 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 7 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 8 | University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, MEPublicMaster's | 66 | 52% | — | — |
| 9 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 50 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 10 | Humphreys University Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 49 | 62% | $11,410 | — |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 49 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 12 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 49 | 74% | — | — |
| 13 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 47 | 76% | — | — |
| 14 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 43% | — | — |
| 15 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicMaster's | 46 | 70% | — | — |
| 16 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster's | 44 | 34% | — | $100,737 |
| 17 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicMaster's | 43 | 55% | — | — |
| 18 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicMaster's | 39 | 51% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 96% | — | — |
| 20 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 21 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 22 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 34 | 64% | — | — |
| 23 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 73% | — | — |
| 24 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster's | 33 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 32 | 44% | $16,859 | — |
| 26 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 32 | 75% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 31 | 64% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 31 | 72% | — | — |
| 29 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 30 | — | — | — |
| 30 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 30 | 81% | — | — |
| 31 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 30 | 69% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 93% | — | — |
| 33 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 29 | 61% | — | — |
| 34 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 55% | — | — |
| 35 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | — | — | — |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 28 | 71% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 27 | 68% | — | — |
| 38 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicMaster's | 27 | 67% | — | — |
| 39 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 65% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 41 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CAPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 26 | — | — | — |
| 42 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 43 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 44 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 24 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 45 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 46 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 23 | 40% | — | — |
| 47 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 23 | 72% | — | — |
| 48 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 75% | — | — |
| 49 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 50 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 65% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Educational Administration and Supervision field (CIP 13.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Administration and Supervision programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9033, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Higher Education/Higher Education Administration program can pursue careers as postsecondary education administrators, with an annual job outlook of 15,100 openings and a median wage of $103,960. A typical requirement for these roles is a Master's degree, and the field is expected to see little or no change in growth at 1.7%.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0406
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Education Administrators, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 11-9033 | $104,590 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~15,100 | Master's degree |
Education Administrators, All Other SOC 11-9039 | $95,200 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
- Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Administration and Supervision specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04).
- Educational Leadership and AdministrationCIP 13.040131,615 graduates / yr708 institutions
- Educational Administration and SupervisionCIP 13.04992,266 graduates / yr93 institutions
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum SupervisionCIP 13.04041,918 graduates / yr78 institutions
- Elementary and Middle School Administration/CIP 13.0408
Principalship 1,306 graduates / yr30 institutions - Superintendency and Educational System AdministrationCIP 13.04111,176 graduates / yr83 institutions
- Urban Education and LeadershipCIP 13.0410674 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Secondary School Administration/CIP 13.0409
Principalship 397 graduates / yr23 institutions - Community College AdministrationCIP 13.0407375 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Adult and Continuing Education AdministrationCIP 13.0403367 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Administration of Special EducationCIP 13.0402253 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Early Childhood Program AdministrationCIP 13.0414partial data99 graduates / yr8 institutions
- International School Administration/CIP 13.0412
Leadership partial data22 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education EntrepreneurshipCIP 13.0413limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Educational Administration and Supervision programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree (research/scholarship), Postbaccalaureate certificate, or Doctor's degree (professional practice).
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and learning strategies.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a postsecondary education administrator or in other educational administration roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is stable with little or no change expected, offering 15,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration?+
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration is CIP 13.0406 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Higher Education/Higher Education Administration programs?+
258 U.S. institutions reported Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 4,257 credentials in the year. That is 9.5% of all Educational Administration and Supervision graduates.
How much do Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation, which Higher Education/Higher Education Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $104,590 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Educational Administration and Supervision field report median earnings of $100,737 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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