Education administrators, postsecondary
SOC Code: 11-9033Also known as:
Academic Affairs Dean, Academic Affairs Director, Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP), Academic Coordinator, Academic Dean
Median Annual Salary
$103,960
+1.7% growth (2024-2034)
15K
Openings/Year
227K
Current Jobs
What Education administrators, postsecondary Do
Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
💰 Salary
$103,960
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.7%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
15K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
226,600
Projected Employment (2034)
230,500
Related Careers
Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
$104,070 •
-1.5% growth
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
$65,140 •
+3.5% growth
Education teachers, postsecondary
$72,090 •
+2.1% growth
Instructional coordinators
$74,720 •
+1.3% growth
Teaching assistants, postsecondary
$44,930 •
+3.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.
- Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events.
- Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes.
- Prepare reports on academic or institutional data.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Education administrators, postsecondary
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a education administrators, postsecondary:
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
29,806 degrees awarded •
706 colleges offer this program
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
4,404 degrees awarded •
254 colleges offer this program
Nursing Education
3,933 degrees awarded •
168 colleges offer this program
Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision
1,682 degrees awarded •
76 colleges offer this program
Clinical Research Coordinator
347 degrees awarded •
16 colleges offer this program
Community College Administration
335 degrees awarded •
28 colleges offer this program
Health Professions Education
102 degrees awarded •
17 colleges offer this program
International School Administration/Leadership
22 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Education administrators, postsecondary
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become education administrators, postsecondary.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 379 | A |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 188 | A |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 125 | A |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 96 | A |
| 5 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 91 | A |
| 6 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 213 | B+ |
| 7 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 158 | B+ |
| 8 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 118 | B+ |
| 9 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 106 | B+ |
| 10 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA | 419 | B |
| 11 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | 189 | B |
| 12 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | 169 | B |
| 13 | Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | 167 | B |
| 14 | George Washington University | Washington, DC | 151 | B |
| 15 | University of Oregon | Eugene, OR | 146 | B |
| 16 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 135 | B |
| 17 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | 133 | B |
| 18 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | 119 | B |
| 19 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | 115 | B |
| 20 | Creighton University | Omaha, NE | 108 | B |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do education administrators, postsecondary make?
The median annual salary for education administrators, postsecondary is $103,960.
What education do education administrators, postsecondary need?
Most education administrators, postsecondary positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Educational Leadership and Administration, General, Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, Nursing Education.
Is becoming a education administrators, postsecondary a good career choice?
Education administrators, postsecondary is projected to see +1.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 15,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for education administrators, postsecondary?
Top colleges for aspiring education administrators, postsecondary include
University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Texas at Austin, Boston University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to education administrators, postsecondary?
Education administrators, postsecondary may also be known as: Academic Affairs Dean, Academic Affairs Director, Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP), Academic Coordinator, Academic Dean, Academic Vice President (Academic VP), Administration Dean, Admissions Coordinator, Admissions Dean, Admissions Director, Adult Basic Education Manager, Arts and Sciences Dean, Business Dean, Campus Coordinator, Campus Dean, Campus Director, Chancellor, College Administrator, College Dean, College President.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.