Universities and community colleges across the country rely on effective leadership to navigate through good times and bad. Professors, administrators, and other high-level professionals also model institutional values to millions of postsecondary students. The ongoing demand for innovation in higher education creates leadership opportunities for professionals like you.

There are a variety of career paths to fit your skills and long-term goals. From instruction to university leadership, you can find a place for yourself in the higher education community. Here are five careers in higher education to consider as you think about your next professional steps.

1. University Professor

University professors, also known as postsecondary teachers, teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They are responsible for instructing students in a specialized subject area within a department of the higher education institution.

Job Description

The job description for university professors typically includes:

• Building a syllabus for course(s) according to department and administration standards and goals
• Developing lesson plans and assignments
• Assessing student work
• Collaborating with colleagues on the curriculum
• Conducting research and submitting articles for publication in scholarly journals
• Serving as a program director
• Participating in college or university committees

Job Outlook

Roles for postsecondary teachers are projected to increase by 7% between 2025 and 2035, notably faster than the national job growth rate of 3 percent projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Education Requirements

Professors in full-time, tenure-track roles must have doctorates in their fields. Master’s degrees might be the minimum educational requirement for adjunct and non-tenure faculty roles.

2. Department Chair

Department chairs are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their academic departments. These higher education professionals oversee faculty, curriculum, strategic planning, and degree programs.

Job Description

While there is variance across departments and universities, most department chairs will be responsible for tasks such as:

• Leading departments in goal-setting
• Managing faculty, staff, budgets, and resources
• Building a curriculum to serve students and meet accreditation standards
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality faculty members
• Pursuing student success

Department chairs may also participate in high-level administrative work, such as collaborations with other department chairs for institutional efforts.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for department chairs is similar to the 7% growth rate projected by the BLS for postsecondary teachers from 2025 to 2035, as this is a faculty position. Turnover in department chair roles depends on staff promotions and retirements.

Education Requirements

Department chairs must almost always have a terminal degree in the relevant field, whether a Ph.D., an Ed.D., or another doctoral degree, and are typically appointed from the department’s faculty.

3. Postsecondary Education Administrator

Postsecondary education administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of colleges and universities. They lead in areas such as student services, academics, and faculty research.

Job Description

The job description for postsecondary education administrators varies by department. Consider a few of the higher education job titles and correlating responsibilities for postsecondary education administrators:

• Admission directors may be responsible for determining the size of an incoming class, evaluating students for admission, and leading prospective student recruitment efforts.
• Academic deans lead specific colleges or schools in developing curricula, conducting research, hiring qualified instructors, and recruiting students.
• Registrars at a college or university empower student success and institutional integrity by maintaining accurate records and course data.

Additional higher education career paths for postsecondary education administrators include director of student life, residence life director, and financial aid director.

Job Outlook

While roles for postsecondary education administrators are projected to increase by 6 percent between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS, a promising area for new administrators is leadership roles at community colleges. A 2023 report by the American Association of Community Colleges found 36.5% of community college presidents were likely to retire within five years.

Education Requirements

The BLS states that most postsecondary education administrators must have a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some roles. For academic dean positions, candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, such as an Ed.D., in the field.

4. Chief Academic Officer

Chief academic officers are responsible for their institution’s academic programs and research. They work with the president and other senior administrators to develop and implement the institution's strategic plan. This role may also be known as a Vice President of Academic Affairs or Provost, depending on the institution.

Job Description

Chief academic officers, also called provosts, are typically responsible for:

• Leading all academic efforts within a higher education institution
• Overseeing strategic planning efforts, budgets, and accreditation standards
• Developing educational programs, curriculum, policies, and student success initiatives
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining faculty

Department chairs may also participate in high-level administrative work such as collaborations with other department chairs for institutional efforts.

Job Outlook

Roles for chief executives are projected to grow by 6% from 2025 to 2035, in line with BLS estimates about other administrative positions in higher education.

Education Requirements

Chief academic officers need a terminal degree, such as a Ph.D. or Ed.D., in a relevant field.

5. Instructional Designer

Instructional designers develop and implement instructional materials and experiences for college and university students. Some professionals work within colleges or universities, while others work for educational support organizations or private companies.

Job Description

Instructional designers, also known as curriculum designers, tend to be responsible for:

• Collaborating with subject matter experts to assess educational objectives
• Developing academic resources such as curriculum and lesson plans
• Leveraging instructional design principles to create high-quality products
• Assessing and evaluating programs and materials
• Training instructors in implementation

As colleges and universities increasingly emphasize online learning, instructional designers often work in tandem with graphic designers and technology professionals to create e-learning opportunities.

Job Outlook

Roles for instructional designers are expected to grow by 3 percent between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS.

Education Requirements

The typical educational requirement for an instructional designer is a master’s degree. Professionals who continue their education through a program such as an Ed.D. may find that they have opportunities for leadership roles.

Why Work in Higher Education?

The return on your investment in a higher education career is strong, based on BLS data. Postsecondary teachers earned a median salary of $85,330 in 2025, with top earners reporting incomes of $203,580 or more. The BLS reported a median salary of $106,770 for postsecondary education administrators in 2025, with the highest 10% earning above $215,620. While there's no comprehensive data source for the other careers mentioned here, it’s clear that high-demand roles in higher education tend to offer great compensation.

Careers in higher education are rewarding beyond financial compensation. A 2025 College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) survey found that 66% of university professionals were satisfied with their roles. Respondents working in higher education roles cited the following reasons for their satisfaction:

• Good relationship with supervisor (82%)
• Purposeful work (81.8%)
• Work engagement (77.9%)

Advance Your Higher Education Career with Rockhurst University

The Online Ed.D. in Higher Education prepares education professionals with previous graduate education for leadership roles. This entirely online program can be completed in two years of study, with courses completed around your schedule. The 45-credit curriculum explores topics including:

• Foundations of Education Leadership
• Organizational Change
• Policy, Ethics, and Legal Frameworks in Education

Online Ed.D. candidates work with experienced faculty to complete capstone projects before graduation. These projects involve research into higher education topics culminating in a presentation and a publishable journal article. You can further distinguish yourself by adding a graduate certificate in the following areas at no extra charge:

• Justice, Belonging, and Community Change
• Organizational Leadership
• Strategic Communication

As an Online Ed.D. candidate, you learn how to be a higher education leader and change agent from a university with a strong reputation. U.S. News & World Report ranks Rockhurst University No. 6 in Regional Universities Midwest, No. 6 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 30 in Best Value Schools in the Midwest. Graduates also carry the university’s Jesuit values like wisdom, caring for others, and community service into higher education settings.