Logging into virtual classrooms for online master's in higher education degrees can conveniently help graduate school students step into administrators' shoes building safe, effective learning environments for future college generations. According to the Washington Post, the country has over 5,300 postsecondary schools that need administrative heads for wide-ranging departments from financial aid to career services. The Princeton Review reports that the average U.S. college employs close to 500 staff.
Online higher education courses train bachelor's graduates for positions overseeing academic and campus activities to better retain diverse learners ages 17-97. Since 2005, full-time enrollment at public universities has risen by 12 percent from 9.2 million to 10.5 million on the College Board. Admission forecasts published by Inside Higher Education predict a whopping 23.3 million university students by 2025. Now's an outstanding time to take advantage of higher education master's online bargains and lead growing classes toward their vocational dreams.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Most Affordable Online Higher Education Master's
Other Master's in Higher Education Online Degree Offerings
Master of Higher Education Administration Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $12,906 per year
Online Higher Education Administration MS
Average Graduate Tuition: $13,560 per year
MA Higher Education Leadership Specialization Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $14,328 per year
Online Master of Science in Higher Education
Average Graduate Tuition: $14,526 per year
M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration Track Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $15,408 per year
Online Master of Higher Education in General Administration
Average Graduate Tuition: $19,476 per year
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Master of Education in Higher Education Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $19,712 per year
Online M.Ed. in Higher Education
Average Graduate Tuition: $19,890 per year
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Master of Arts in Student Services Administration (MASSA) Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $21,564 per year
Online MSEd Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies
Average Graduate Tuition: $22,320 per year
Higher Education Administration (MS) Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $22,420 per year
Online Higher Education Administration MA
Average Graduate Tuition: $25,128 per year
Careers Options
During their tenure in online higher education master's study, post-grads become eligible for many mid- and upper-level managerial campus jobs improving America's collegiate landscape. Although university faculty and dean positions are generally Ph.D. preferred, a master's unlocks titles from athletic administrator to university registrar and paves the pathway into doctoral programs if desired. The award-winning HigherEdJobs database currently lists more than 45,000 openings across 200+ job categories! Master's graduates can also find networking opportunities by becoming members of organizations like the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), and American Association of University Administrators (AAUA). Let's review five sample careers where a master's in higher education online is valuable:
University Admissions Administrator- The 10 most popular colleges on the U.S. News & World Report received an average of 72,588 applications in Fall 2016, so university admissions administrators are vital. Online higher education master's grads are equipped to develop admission protocol, set application deadlines, comply with laws like FERPA, hire counselors, address fraud suspicions, manage dual enrollment, and collect student data.
Multicultural Affairs Coordinator- According to the Pew Research Center, campus racial demographics are evolving with enrollment increases of 240 percent for Hispanics and 72 percent for African-Americans since 1996. Finishing a higher education master's online could prepare multicultural affairs coordinators for forming inclusive policies, aiding immigration, conducting retention outreach, supervising ethnic clubs, and planning cultural events.
Disability Services Director- Master's in higher education online graduates well-versed in Section 504 regulations could run academic support programs to improve the low 33 percent graduation rate for students with disabilities published by Huffington Post. These directors review diagnosis documents, coordinate apt ADA accommodations, ease transitions, supervise tutors, purchase assistive technology, and advocate for exceptional students' needs.
Community College Professor- The National Student Clearinghouse reports that community colleges have 39 percent, around 9 million, of U.S. undergrads, so consider applying an online master's in higher education here. In lower-division junior college courses, masters-trained professors qualify for developing syllabi, preparing lectures, assigning textbook readings, correcting exams, reporting final grades, functioning as advisors, and supervising clubs.
Title IX Compliance Officer- Signed by President Nixon in 1972, Title IX stipulates that federally funded schools must prohibit sex discrimination and harassment, yet the ACLU warns 95 percent of campus rapes aren't reported. Compliance officers with online higher education master's could improve reporting procedures, investigate allegations, collaborate with police, interview complainants, convene disciplinary hearings, and plan safety training.
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Salary Potential
Cheap online master's in higher education degrees can garner great ROI with much bigger paychecks than the mean K-12 teacher salary of $56,383 on Niche. In May 2017, Inside Higher Ed reported a global college market worth $1.9 trillion total! The 138,430 postsecondary administrators nationwide earn a mean annual wage of $105,770, or $50.85 per hour, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Campus administrative services managers snag median profits of $90,050. College professors teaching courses from nursing to forestry earn median pay of $75,430 yearly. Top university executives like Chief Financial Officers bring home $194,350 on average. According to Salary.com, Chief Student Affairs Officers make median income of $137,410. Other six-figure averages include $126,464 for enrollment managers, $172,992 for provosts, $111,314 for athletics directors, and $116,209 for associate deans.
Employment Outlook
It's unsurprising that college enrollment has spiked since CNN shows America's post-recession economy produced 8.4 million jobs needing bachelor's and 3.1 million jobs needing associate degrees since January 2010. Pursuing a higher education master's online would help meet student services demand at enlarging campuses. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that postsecondary administration staffing will grow by 10 percent for 18,200 new openings by 2026. Hiring of college faculty will speed up by 15 percent this decade with faster-than-average growth in business, engineering, and health specialties. Chief executive roles, including college president, are more competitive with a 10-year job outlook of 8 percent. Forbes magazine points master's grads toward Virginia, Vermont, Maryland, and Massachusetts with the top-quality education opportunities. In self-paced formats, online master's in higher education programs produce competent, employable administrators who guide others to diplomas.
See also: 10 Most Affordable EdD Education Online Programs
Sources:
Washington PostPrinceton ReviewCollege BoardInside Higher EducationNCES College Navigator
