Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, student life, or the office of the registrar.

Postsecondary education administrators work in colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical and trade schools. Most work full time.

Although a bachelor’s degree may be acceptable for some entry-level positions, a master’s degree or Ph.D. is often required. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates who have experience working in the field, especially for occupations such as registrars and academic deans.

Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Expected growth is due to increases in enrollments.

This occupation supported 161,800 jobs in 2012 and 175,100 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 8.2%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 14.5% in 2022 to 185,300 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 166,500, compared with an observed value of 175,100, 5.2% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 9.4% in 2024 to 190,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 190,000 jobs for 2024, 0.2% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.