2026 Higher Education Careers: Guide to Career Paths, Options & Salary

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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If you want a career in higher education, the first question is usually not “What sounds interesting?” It is “Which roles are actually attainable, what qualifications do they require, and how do I choose a path that fits my goals and budget?” That is the right place to start. Higher education includes faculty, student affairs, admissions, institutional research, academic support, technology, and operations roles, so the best path depends on your background, your tolerance for graduate school, and the kind of work you want to do every day.

This guide breaks down the higher education career landscape in practical terms. You will learn which jobs are easier to enter, what skills employers expect, how the job outlook looks, when a certificate is enough, when a master’s or doctorate makes sense, and how to compare options without overpaying for the wrong credential.

Quick answer: what should you know before starting a higher education career?

Higher education can be a strong long-term career field if you want meaningful work, a mission-driven environment, and room to specialize. Entry-level jobs often begin in records, enrollment, student services, or administrative support. More specialized and higher-paying roles usually require a bachelor’s degree, and leadership or faculty positions often require a master’s or doctorate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary educators have a projected job growth rate of 5.9% through 2034, while postsecondary education administrators are projected to grow by 1.7% through 2034.

The best route for you depends on three things: the role you want, the credential it requires, and whether the expected salary and advancement potential justify the time and cost of school.

Key things you should know about higher education careers

• Institutional research analyst, head of campus museum, and head of IT service delivery are among the fastest-growing roles mentioned in this guide, with growth rates of 161%, 120%, and 64%.
• Postsecondary educators are projected to grow 5.9% through 2034.
• The average pay for office and administrative support occupations was $46,320.
• 62% of college students say critical thinking is a top priority for higher education.
• Postsecondary educators earned a median wage of $81,600, and law educators earned the highest median wage at $126,650.

1. Why choose a career in higher education?
2. What is the job outlook for higher education professionals?
3. What skills do higher education professionals need?
4. How do you begin working in higher education?
5. Can a certificate lead to a higher education job?
6. How do you move up in higher education?
7. Which certification matters most in higher education?
8. How does ongoing professional development support higher education careers?
9. Which trends are shaping higher education jobs?
10. What are the benefits of a doctorate in higher education?
11. How fast can you finish an online teaching degree?
12. Why consider an online bachelor of education for higher education careers?
13. What other careers can higher education professionals move into?
14. How does affordability affect online education choices?
15. How can library science support a higher education career?
16. How is library science changing higher education work?
17. How can data analytics improve higher education career options?
18. What challenges should you expect in higher education?

What graduates say about working in higher education

My studies helped me understand how colleges support students behind the scenes. As a student affairs professional, I now help create a more inclusive and supportive environment, and I get to see students grow through the year. - Fred

My training in higher education administration showed me how complex university systems really are. It gave me the leadership and planning skills I use every day as a department chair. - Charles

Higher education research made me interested in how technology changes teaching. That interest led me into instructional design, where I now build online courses for students in different locations. - Julie

Why choose a career in higher education?

People choose higher education for different reasons. Some want to teach. Others want to support students, manage programs, analyze data, build digital learning experiences, or lead departments. The field is broad enough to offer both academic and non-academic paths, which makes it a practical option if you want meaningful work without being limited to one job title.

Higher education careers can be especially appealing if you want your work to affect student outcomes, institutional policy, or access to learning. They also often include chances to specialize in areas such as student development, enrollment management, educational technology, international education, community college leadership, and institutional research.

That said, higher education is not automatically easy or high-paying. Some jobs require years of education and experience, and others have modest starting salaries. The real value comes from choosing a role that matches your skills and long-term goals.

What is the job outlook for higher education professionals?

The outlook varies by role. Some positions are growing slowly, while others are expanding faster because institutions need people who can manage data, technology, student support, and online learning systems.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary education administrators are projected to grow by 1.7% through 2034, with about 15,100 openings each year. Postsecondary teachers are projected to grow by 5.9% through 2034, with over 136,400 openings expected each year. These numbers suggest stable demand, especially for people who have the right specialization and credentials.

Some of the strongest growth mentioned in this guide appears in roles that support institutional operations and digital transformation, including institutional research analyst (161%), head of campus museum (120%), and head of IT service delivery (64%). Those roles reflect a broader trend: colleges are increasingly looking for professionals who can work with data, technology, and student services at the same time.

If you want the most accessible entry point, support roles are often easier to break into than faculty jobs. If you want the highest academic status or the strongest long-term salary potential, you will usually need additional education and experience.

What skills do higher education professionals need?

Higher education employers look for more than subject knowledge. They want people who can support students, work across departments, and adapt to changing institutional priorities. The most useful skills depend on the role, but several show up again and again.

Core skills that matter in higher education

• Collaboration and networking: Colleges and universities operate through partnerships among departments, schools, and external organizations.
• Empathetic communication: Student-facing jobs often require calm, respectful communication with people who are dealing with stress, uncertainty, or conflict.
• Teamwork and relationship-building: Many roles depend on working with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Organization: Higher education work often involves schedules, policies, records, deadlines, and multiple stakeholders.

General skills employers expect

• Clear communication: You need to explain policies, write professionally, and share information accurately. Employers value this highly, and 54% agree communication is one of the most important skills college graduates should demonstrate.
• Critical thinking: Colleges need people who can evaluate problems carefully and consider student impact. A survey by the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Association of Colleges and Universities found that 62% of college students believe critical thinking is a top priority for higher education, while 60% of employers consider it very important for workforce success.
• Problem-solving: Student services roles often involve advising, conflict resolution, referrals, and policy interpretation.
• Leadership: Supervisors and administrators need the ability to guide teams, manage change, and make decisions under pressure.

For many professionals, the strongest combination is not just academic knowledge but a mix of people skills, systems thinking, and digital literacy.

How do you begin working in higher education?

Most people start with a degree, then move into a role that matches their credential level. A two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree can be enough for some entry-level jobs, especially in office support, records, admissions, and student services. A high school diploma or GED is typically the starting requirement for admission to these programs.

Higher education careers usually fall into several broad categories: professional roles, staff roles, administrative roles, tenure-track faculty, and non-tenure-track teaching faculty. Each path has different hiring expectations, and the route you choose will affect both your pay and your advancement options.

What can I do with an associate’s degree in higher education?

An associate’s degree can qualify you for support roles that focus on records, scheduling, student communication, and day-to-day operations. These jobs are useful if you want to enter the field quickly, build experience, and decide later whether a bachelor’s degree is worth pursuing.

Enrollment Assistant

Enrollment assistants answer questions about application policies, explain procedures, and help applicants understand decisions and next steps. They support the enrollment process and work closely with admissions staff.

Median salary: $39,048

Executive Assistant

Executive assistants support senior administrators by organizing documents, reviewing reports, and handling high-level administrative communication. They often serve as a central contact point for the office.

Median salary: $48,888

Records Clerk

Records clerks manage student files, process records, enter information, and help maintain transcript and registration systems. Accuracy matters because these records affect enrollment, academic standing, and transfer decisions.

Median salary: $37,230

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in higher education?

A bachelor’s degree gives you more options and usually opens the door to coordination, advising, and specialist roles. It is often the minimum credential for positions with more responsibility and more room for advancement.

Study Abroad Program Coordinator

This role supports students and faculty planning international study experiences. Duties may include coordination, planning, application support, and visa-related guidance.

Median Salary: $47,239

Student Academic Counseling Head

Student academic counseling heads help students work toward academic and career goals, design support programs, and advise students on educational and personal issues.

Median Salary: $64,092

Credential Specialist

Credential specialists track staff credentials and licenses, support compliance, and help strengthen internal credentialing systems. This role is especially relevant in institutions that must meet regulatory or accreditation expectations.

Median Salary: $45,289

Can a certificate lead to a higher education job?

Yes. A certificate can help you qualify for some entry-level higher education jobs, especially in administrative support, bookkeeping, reception, customer service, and library-related functions. Certificate programs are often useful if you want to enter the field quickly or if you already work in a related office role and want to move into campus work.

Certificates are usually most helpful when you are targeting a narrow role rather than a broad leadership path. They can also be a practical stepping stone to a degree later on.

Best situations for a certificate

• You want an entry-level job as quickly as possible.
• You already have office or customer service experience.
• You need a low-cost way to build job-specific skills.
• You plan to continue to a degree later.

When a certificate may not be enough

• You want faculty or senior administrative roles.
• You want to move into leadership quickly.
• The job posting asks for a degree, not a certificate.
• You want the widest possible range of future options.

How do you move up in higher education?

Advancement in higher education usually depends on experience, education, and specialization. If you want to move into mid-level or leadership roles, a master’s degree is often the most practical next step. For senior leadership, policy, or tenure-track academic roles, a doctorate may be required or strongly preferred.

Graduate study can be especially valuable if your goal is to move from support work into strategy, management, or teaching. Many institutions offer online master’s degree in higher education programs, which can be useful for people who are already working full time.

What can I do with a master’s in higher education?

A master’s degree can qualify you for more complex leadership and management jobs, especially in student affairs, teaching centers, and admissions leadership.

Head, Campus Teaching Center

This professional oversees teaching and learning strategy, helps guide curriculum development, and communicates academic policies to faculty and students.

Median salary: $87,000

Student Affairs Deputy Chief

The student affairs deputy chief manages operations, planning, and policy direction for a student affairs unit while supporting the implementation of programs and initiatives.

Median salary: $93,337

Chief Student Admissions Officer

This role leads admissions strategy, reviews application processes, advises prospective students, and helps shape recruitment and marketing materials.

Median salary: $89,874

What kind of job can I get with a doctorate in higher education?

A doctorate is usually the strongest credential for senior academic leadership, high-level administration, and some faculty paths. It is most worth considering if you want to shape policy, lead major units, teach at advanced levels, or compete for top leadership positions.

Dean, Education

What can you do with a PhD in education? A doctorate is often one of the credentials expected for a university dean. Deans typically lead academic units, support faculty, manage resources, and advocate for students and programs.

Median Salary: $181,595

Chief Campus Administrator

This leader oversees campus operations, manages administrative processes, and makes sure policies and documents stay current and accessible.

Median Salary: $133,800

Chief Auxiliary Services Officer

This role supports campus services and operations, manages procedures and policies, and helps ensure that services remain accessible and effective.

Median Salary: $117,650

Which certification matters most in higher education?

There is no single certification that fits every higher education career. The best choice depends on your role. In many jobs, certification is optional rather than required, but it can improve credibility, signal commitment to the field, and help you stay current.

Professional groups often offer certificates or training for specialized areas such as admissions, international education, and student affairs. Examples include the National Association for College Admission Counseling, NAFSA Association of International Educators, and NASPA. These options can be useful if you want to deepen expertise in a specific functional area.

If you are comparing certifications, ask whether the credential is recognized by employers, whether it matches your target role, and whether it supports licensure, promotion, or continuing education requirements.

How does ongoing professional development support higher education careers?

Professional development helps higher education workers keep pace with changes in technology, student expectations, compliance, and teaching methods. In a field that changes quickly, the people who keep learning tend to stay competitive longer.

Useful development options include workshops, conferences, certificates, short courses, mentorship, and graduate-level classes. If you are building your academic foundation, even an accredited online bachelor degree program can be part of a long-term development strategy.

Professional development is especially important if you want to move into leadership, technology, student success, or institutional research, because those areas now depend heavily on data, digital tools, and cross-functional decision-making.

Which trends are shaping higher education jobs?

Higher education is being reshaped by digital learning, data use, student expectations, and changing work models. These trends are not temporary. They are changing which skills employers value and which roles are expanding.

• Technology integration: Colleges need people who can support learning platforms, digital services, and remote collaboration tools.
• Data-informed decision-making: Institutions are leaning more on analytics for retention, enrollment, budgeting, and program planning.
• Flexible learning models: Online and hybrid education have created demand for instructional designers, academic technologists, and support staff.
• Student support expectations: Students expect faster service, stronger advising, and more accessible resources.
• Cross-disciplinary work: Jobs increasingly blend education, operations, technology, and communication.

These shifts matter if you are targeting high-paying jobs with a master's in education or related leadership roles, because employers are increasingly looking for people who can combine educational knowledge with practical technical skills.

What are the advantages of obtaining a doctoral degree in higher education?

A doctorate is not necessary for every higher education role, but it can open doors that other credentials cannot. It is often the clearest path to senior administration, advanced teaching, research leadership, and dean-level positions.

The biggest advantages are specialization, credibility, and access to senior roles. A doctorate can also give you more influence over policy, curriculum, and institutional strategy. For professionals who want to stay in the field long term, it can strengthen both advancement potential and subject-matter authority.

If you are exploring doctoral options, online EdD programs may be worth considering if flexibility and completion time matter to you.

How fast can you finish an online teaching degree?

Completion time depends on the program structure, transfer credits, and whether you study full time or part time. Accelerated programs can shorten the timeline by using condensed courses, flexible terms, and credit options that recognize prior learning or experience.

If speed matters, compare admission rules, course length, and credit transfer policies before you enroll. Resources such as the accelerated education degree online can help you evaluate what is realistic for your schedule.

Faster is not always better. The right program should still be accredited, aligned with your career goal, and acceptable for the job or license you want afterward.

Why consider an online bachelor of education for higher education careers?

An online bachelor of education can be a good fit if you need flexibility, want to keep working, or are returning to school after time away. It can help you build a foundation in teaching, curriculum, educational leadership, and learning theory while making it easier to manage work and family responsibilities.

Online study is also useful if you are preparing for roles that rely on digital tools, such as instructional design or academic technology support. Those are areas where comfort with online learning can translate directly into job skills.

Before enrolling, make sure the program is accredited and that it aligns with your intended next step. If you want to compare options, review the bachelor of education online degree guide.

What other careers can higher education professionals move into?

Skills gained in higher education often transfer well to other sectors. If you later decide to leave the campus environment, your background may still be useful in training, communications, operations, and management.

Common transition paths include:

• Training and Development Officer: Designs and runs learning programs for employees, drawing on skills in instruction, communication, and planning.
• Public Relations Specialist: Manages messaging and public image, which fits professionals who are already used to stakeholder communication and institutional branding.
• Administrative and Facilities Manager: Oversees operations, services, and workplace support functions.

If you are not sure whether higher education is your final destination, that is not a problem. Many of the skills used in the field are portable.

How does online education affordability affect your higher education career?

Cost matters because the value of a degree depends not only on what it teaches, but also on how much debt you take on to earn it. A lower-cost online program can make it easier to move into higher education without creating financial pressure that delays future graduate study or certification.

For example, the cheapest online bachelor's degree in education may be a smart option if you need a budget-friendly way to gain foundational skills while keeping your long-term costs manageable. Affordable programs can still offer accreditation, advising, and digital learning resources, so a lower price does not automatically mean lower quality.

The smartest approach is to compare tuition, fees, transfer policies, aid options, and expected career outcomes together. A slightly more expensive program may be worth it if it has stronger support, better accreditation alignment, or a clearer path to the job you want.

How can an advanced degree in library science support a higher education career?

Library science can be a strong fit for higher education professionals who want to work with information, research support, archives, and digital resources. An advanced degree in this area can expand your options in academic libraries, research support units, and information services.

It is especially useful if you want to connect student success with knowledge management, digital collections, or research access. For people who want an affordable path into the field, the cheapest MLIS degree online may be a practical option to compare.

This type of training is most valuable when your goal involves both service and systems: helping people find information while also improving how that information is organized and delivered.

How is the library science job outlook influencing higher education innovation?

Library science is becoming more important as colleges manage digital collections, research data, and changing student expectations. Institutions need professionals who can support both traditional library services and newer digital workflows.

That shift is influencing innovation in resource access, archiving, research support, and information literacy. If you are considering this path, keep an eye on the library science job outlook because it can help you understand where the field is moving and which skills are becoming more valuable.

How can data analytics improve career options in higher education?

Data analytics is becoming one of the most valuable skill sets in higher education. Colleges use data to study enrollment, retention, student performance, spending, and program effectiveness. Professionals who can interpret that information are increasingly useful across departments.

Analytics skills can support institutional research, assessment, strategic planning, and student success work. They also help professionals make stronger arguments, identify trends earlier, and recommend better decisions. If you want to build those skills, exploring the data scientist career path and salary can be a helpful starting point for understanding the broader technical skill set employers value.

What challenges should you expect in higher education?

Higher education can be rewarding, but it is not free from pressure. Before you commit to the field, it helps to understand the main trade-offs.

Competition for desirable roles

Many jobs, especially faculty and leadership positions, attract strong candidates. That means qualifications matter, and so does your record of experience, publications, and professional connections.

Better strategy: Build a focused résumé, gain relevant campus experience, and look for specialty areas where demand is stronger.

Salary variation

Pay can vary widely. Some senior roles are well compensated, but many early-career jobs in support or student services do not pay as much as similar roles in other industries.

Better strategy: Compare salary with tuition costs, expected advancement, and the amount of experience required before you enroll in additional school. If you need more earning power, an online master’s in education may be one path to consider.

Workload and burnout risk

Faculty and administrators can face long hours, competing deadlines, and periods of intense pressure. Teaching, grading, advising, reporting, and crisis response can all pile up quickly.

Better strategy: Choose roles that fit your energy level and work style, and pay attention to institutions that support flexible scheduling or wellness resources.

Slower advancement in some staff roles

Not every position has a clear promotion ladder. Some support roles require additional credentials before you can move up.

Better strategy: Ask what advancement usually looks like in that department and whether a degree or certification is required for promotion.

Institutional bureaucracy

Large universities often move slowly because many people and departments must approve major decisions. That can make change frustrating.

Better strategy: Learn the organization’s structure, build internal relationships, and understand how decisions are actually made before trying to lead change.

Questions to ask before choosing a higher education career path

• Do I want to teach, advise, manage, analyze data, or support operations?
• Is a certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate the right entry point for this role?
• Is the program accredited and aligned with the job I want?
• Will this credential improve my pay enough to justify the cost?
• Can I complete the program while working?
• Does the role require licensure, certification, or specific experience?
• Will I be able to move into a better role after gaining experience?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a program without checking accreditation.
• Assuming every online program meets licensure or employer requirements.
• Ignoring transfer credit rules and graduation requirements.
• Focusing only on tuition and forgetting fees, books, and lost time.
• Assuming salary outcomes are guaranteed.
• Using rankings alone instead of comparing fit, cost, and career alignment.

Is a career in higher education worth it?

It can be worth it if you want work that is mission-driven, people-centered, and long term. It is especially attractive if you value helping students succeed, supporting research, or improving the systems that keep colleges running. It may be less ideal if your main goal is rapid salary growth without graduate school or if you want a field with very fast promotion cycles.

The best decision is not whether higher education is “good” or “bad.” It is whether the specific role, credential path, and cost structure make sense for your goals.

References:

• Cecil, B.G. and Melidona, D. (2024). 2021 Fall Term Pulse Point Survey of College and University Presidents, Part 3. Acenet.
• Kurtz, H. & Baker, L. (2025, March 4). What Teacher Morale Looks Like in Every State. EdWeek.
• The Chronicle of Higher Education (2024). How Much Has Noninstructional-Employee Pay Changed Over Time? The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, August 28). Occupational projections, 2024–2034, and worker characteristics. Retrieved February 2026, from BLS.

Key insights

• Higher education is not one career path but many. The right entry point depends on whether you want teaching, advising, administration, research, or operations work.
• Certificates can help you enter some support roles, but bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs open far more options for advancement.
• Job growth is strongest in specialized and data-driven areas, especially institutional research and technology-linked roles.
• Before enrolling in any program, check accreditation, transfer rules, cost, and whether the credential matches the job you want.
• Professional development matters because higher education is changing quickly due to digital learning, analytics, and evolving student expectations.
• The best higher education career is the one that balances purpose, qualification requirements, earning potential, and long-term mobility.