After an enrollment dip for undergraduate programs that began in 2012, there has been a steady increase each year since 2022. Total undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by 9 percent between 2021 and 2031. Administrative roles in higher education are keeping pace with a job outlook of 3% from 2023-33.
Higher education institutions rely on skilled leaders to navigate complex challenges, shape student experiences and drive academic success. Education professionals seeking to become transformative leaders can prepare themselves to lead with the increase by 9 percent from St. Thomas University (STU).
Administrative Roles in Higher Education
Top administrative roles in higher education oversee critical operations, shape institutional strategy and support student and faculty success. These careers require both advanced degrees and significant experience in leadership, data-driven decision-making and operational management. Some key administrative roles include:
Provost (Chief Academic Officer)
Provosts are senior leaders who oversee all academic programs, manage faculty and shape the institution’s educational mission. They set academic policies and approve new programs to ensure quality student outcomes. Median salary for a university provost is around $96,910.
Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA)
A VPFA oversees campus financial and capital planning, along with administrative operations that support the institution’s mission and goals. The V.P. is responsible for the overall budget, which includes appropriations, tuitions and fees, and other funds. Median salary for this position is $169,537.
Dean of Students
Deans are among the senior administrators at an institution, whose primary responsibilities include overseeing student life, student services and on-campus activities. They must also collaborate with staff and faculty to address and resolve student issues, serving as a liaison between students, administration and faculty. The average base salary for a college dean of students is $103,633.
Director of Institutional Research
Directors of institutional research are responsible for leadership and oversight of research activities at colleges and universities. This involves collecting data from all departments to analyze and report, building a research plan for the institution and analyzing the results. The median salary for an Institutional Research Director is $129,066.
Director of Admissions
A director of admissions oversees the recruitment and acceptance of students planning to enroll in the institution. This includes interviewing prospective students, collecting necessary information for potential students and working with staff to ensure the recruitment, selection, admission and enrollment of qualified students. The total median pay for this position is $96,000.
Help Shape the Future of Education
St. Thomas University offers an online Educational Specialist in Administration degree program. This versatile program empowers students to analyze and implement effective leadership strategies and evidence-based solutions to organizational challenges. It is ideal for those working in higher education, public or private school systems or as managers of learning initiatives at corporations, nonprofits, specialty schools and training companies.
Education administration career opportunities at the K-12 level include school principal, assistant principal, district administrator, director of curriculum and instruction and special education director. These leadership roles require a deep understanding of curriculum development, pedagogical theories and instructional methodologies. Demonstrated understanding of state and federal educational standards, along with strong leadership and communication skills, are essential.
In business, education administration opportunities include director of corporate training, chief learning officer, and organizational development manager. These roles involve aligning training with corporate strategies. This means developing, administering and measuring training programs, as well as facilitating professional development opportunities for staff.
The STU online Ed.S. program focuses on innovative leadership theories, strategies, skills and change initiatives and how to apply and assess them. You will learn about the effects of changing needs in global and diverse organizational settings while evaluating research and evidence-based solutions.
Completing this program will prepare educators to analyze data to inform policy. The coursework allows them to practice collaborative skills that promote teamwork and shared leadership. Students learn to emphasize ethical leadership and academic honesty, including proper use of AI and effective cross-cultural communication.
Learn more about the online Ed.S. – Administration program from St. Thomas University.
