Higher education administration professionals can impact student’s lives positively without needing to teach in a classroom. These professionals work at colleges and universities across the country.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), becoming a higher education administrator typically requires earning a master’s degree. Therefore, graduates of the online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration program from The University of New Orleans (UNO) may pursue various roles in higher education administration. Top jobs such as admissions counselor, residence manager, career advisor, financial aid director and dean of students vary in responsibilities, potential annual salary and required skills.
1. Admissions Counselor
An admissions counselor represents the higher education institution they work for, and their primary role is recruiting prospective students. If you enjoy communicating with people and answering questions about areas of study and opportunities for students, then this role could be for you. According to Indeed, the common responsibilities of admissions counselors are:
- Traveling locally, nationally or internationally to college fairs and events
- Creating marketing materials to inform prospective students about the campus
- Organizing informational meetings for prospective students, like tours and classroom visits
- Participating in the applicant process, such as reading applications and interviewing individuals
Indeed reports the annual salary for an admissions counselor is $43,849. However, the amount you earn depends highly on experience, education level and place of employment. Skills required for this role include communications, sales and organization.
2. Residence Manager
For students living on campus, resident advisors (RAs) are the individuals in charge of enforcing rules and laying out expectations for students living in campus housing. Residence managers oversee RAs and have more supervisory, administrative and developmental responsibilities. Residence manager responsibilities may include:
- Ensuring a supportive environment that promotes a sense of community
- Developing strategies specifically designed to promote responsible behavior and respect for the community
- Coordinating educational, cultural, wellness and social programs and activities to meet the developmental needs and interests of students
- Serving as a primary resource person in case of an emergency or crisis
In-demand skills for residence managers are communication, organization, time management, programming, group dynamics and supervision. The average annual salary for a residence manager is $69,219.
3. Career Advisor
Career advisors may guide higher education students to choose a major and determine what careers are available with their degree. Typical responsibilities of career advisors include:
- Gaining knowledge of all department programs to inform students of options
- Collaborating with other career center professionals to host recruitment events and activities
- Scheduling one-on-one meetings with students for career exploration or job search strategizing
- Creating career development content such as programming, training, presentations, events and internships to educate students
BLS reports a projected 5% job growth for school and career counselors, almost twice the average for all occupations. Professionals who pursue this higher education administration role can expect an average annual salary of $60,140.
4. Financial Aid Director
Every higher education institution has a financial aid office and needs a director to oversee this department. These professionals administer financial aid programs and supervise financial aid staff. Standard responsibilities include:
- Tracking enrollment statistics and expenditures
- Monitoring sources of federal and state funding
- Verifying the information in financial aid applications
- Administering programs that meet campus needs
The average annual salary for a financial aid director is $89,912, with the top earners making $186,500 annually. If you’re interested in this role, skills in communications, leadership, management, finance, operations and customer service will take you far.
5. Academic Advisor
Academic advisors help students navigate their degree path and have the tools necessary for their next steps. Professionals with great interpersonal and organizational skills excel in this role. They must also understand the fine points of various degree paths as well as key steps necessary to pursue an array of careers. Depending on the size of the institution, the responsibilities of an academic advisor differ, some examples include:
- Meet with students regularly to monitor their degree progress and graduation requirements
- Attend college fairs to engage with prospective students
- Review career goals with students and help them identify and follow steps to success
The average salary for an academic advisor is $46,519.
Pursue Opportunities in Higher Education Administration at UNO
With an array of job options, earning your M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration degree online is a sure way to advance your career. Through the following courses, UNO’s program equips students with knowledge and skills that graduates apply in their careers:
- College Student Development
- The American College and University
- Student Services in Higher Education
- Organization and Leadership in Higher Education
Learn more about UNO’s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration program.