Higher Education Masters Programs
For those who believe they can make a difference on a college or university campus, a degree in higher education may be right for you.
A degree in higher education is a specific degree that prepares graduates for mid-level administrative or teaching in college or university settings. This degree covers the departments that make up a higher educational institution, such as finance, HR, or admissions, as well as higher education teaching theory.
An online master's in higher education is an ideal degree for those who have some experience in education, but who wish to advance their career into mid-level management positions. Most management or administrative positions at the college or university level do require a Master's or higher level of education. In addition, those who obtain a Master's can make significantly more than just a Bachelors.
Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
What kind of higher education degree should you get?
Most master's in higher education degrees are master's in education programs, but some may grant a master's in science or a master's in arts. While all degree types can prepare individuals for similar career paths, an MA typically has a more flexible curriculum than an M.Ed., which primarily focuses on administration. An MS is best for people interested in research.
An online master's in higher education degree versus a traditional on-campus one is preferable for those who already have a regular working schedule. Most online classes are asynchronous, meaning students can log on and complete coursework and tests on their own time. Although some may worry that an online program gives students less opportunities to engage in real life work experiences, even online degrees require some sort of internship or cumulative project in order to graduate.
You can cross-check the schools on this list with College Choice's Best Online Colleges and Universities ranking.
How much money do people make with a master's in higher education?
Based onHigherEd Jobs, salaries greatly vary based on institution, administrative area, and years of experience. For instance, most deans earn over six figures. Those who are head of their department such as financial aid or HR also earn over six figures. However, the median salary for post secondary administrators in general is $84,000. Universities and colleges also generally have good benefits, too.
According toPayScale, typical jobs and average salaries for an M.Ed. in higher education administration include assistant director ($47,391), assistant registrar ($49,026), or training and development manager ($56,106). The most popular cities for this field are Boston, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
What can you do with a master's in higher education?
A Master's in Higher Education prepares individuals to work in higher education settings, usually at the college or university level. However, those with this degree may also work for the government, non-profits, or other private businesses that are related to education. As these programs are for those who already have experience working in education, graduates tend to work in mid-level administration positions.
Some possible career titles include student engagement specialist, public relations worker, leadership program administrator, or admissions administrator. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of departments such as admissions, HR, finance, or the president's office.
What are the requirements for a master's in higher education?
In order to apply for this degree, most programs require some higher education work experience, a bachelor's from an accredited school (does not necessarily have to be in education), GRE or GMAT score, and letters of recommendations must be sent with the application.
Most schools also have minimum GPA requirements that students should be aware of. Sometimes graduate test scores may be waived if an applicant has significant work experience.
What are the most affordable online master's in higher education?
Below is College Choice's list for the 25 Most Affordable Online Master's in Higher Education. These programs and schools were chosen based on overall institutional excellence and return on investment. Data was collected from a variety of sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, PayScale, individual college websites, and the U.S. News & World Report.
Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.
