Pursuing a Master of Education (MEd) in Higher Education can accelerate your path into leadership roles at colleges and universities. Designed for working professionals, online and hybrid programs offer the flexibility to advance your education without stepping away from your current role. Use this guide to explore top programs, get answers to your questions, compare costs, and see what doors await you after graduation.
Author: Shannon Daigle
Expertise: Online LearningStudent SuccessGraduate EducationEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Which Student Are You?
Finding Your Best-Fit Higher Education Program
Read more - Inside Real Programs
An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more…
Read more - FAQs
Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Read more - Cost Breakdown
A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses…
Read more - Salary/Pay
Salary Potential with a Master's in Higher Education
Read more - Top Schools
A list of the best schools currently offering the best online and hybrid master’s programs in the state...
Read more
Finding Your Best-Fit Higher Education Program
Does your future in higher education look like student affairs, institutional research, or college administration? Each of those calls for different coursework, and a higher ed master’s built for one doesn’t automatically prepare you for the others. Enroll in the wrong track and you may need a second credential later. Check the guide below before you apply.
Pick the Higher Education Student Type That’s Like You
The Career Starter
You’ve recently graduated and want to build a career in college student affairs or administration — not K-12 teaching — starting in an entry-level role like residence life or admissions.
Higher education administration doesn’t involve K-12 teaching licensure at all; instead, this degree covers student development theory, campus policy, and the day-to-day skills entry-level student affairs jobs actually require. A hybrid format often pairs coursework with a practicum or assistantship in a real campus office, which is how many graduates land their first job.
The Career Changer
You’re coming from a career outside higher ed — corporate HR, nonprofit management, K-12 teaching — and want to move into college administration or student affairs instead.
Programs built for career-changers assume you’re bringing transferable skills from another field rather than campus experience, and focus on student development theory and higher ed operations you wouldn’t already know. A fully online format lets you complete the degree around a current job while you plan your move onto a campus.
The Promotion Seeker
You’re already working in an entry-level higher ed role — academic advising, residence life, admissions — and want to move up into a director or dean-of-students-level position.
Director-level roles in higher ed almost always list a master’s in higher education or student affairs as a minimum requirement, and a leadership concentration adds the budgeting and supervision coursework those jobs require. A hybrid format fits around a full-time campus job, and many institutions offer tuition remission for staff pursuing exactly this degree.
The Working Balancer
You’re working full-time on a college campus and want to finish your master’s without stepping away from your current job.
A fully online, part-time program with evening classes fits around the office hours and evening/weekend duties common in student affairs roles like residence life. Many colleges and universities also offer tuition benefits to staff, which can make finishing this specific degree especially worth prioritizing.
The Enrollment Management Specialist
You’re drawn to the admissions, recruitment, and financial aid side of higher ed — bringing students in the door and helping them afford to stay.
An enrollment management concentration covers recruitment strategy, financial aid policy, and the data analysis admissions and financial aid offices rely on — a distinct skill set from the student-life side of higher ed. A fully online format suits this path well, since admissions cycles often mean irregular travel and event schedules.
The Community College Admin
You want to work in community college administration specifically, where the mission, funding, and student population differ meaningfully from four-year institutions.
A community college concentration covers open-access admissions, workforce partnerships, and transfer-pathway administration that a general higher ed degree may only touch on briefly. A hybrid format works well since many community college staff are already working full-time on campus while completing the degree.
Popular Universities with an Online Higher Education MEd
Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s MEd in Higher and Postsecondary Education is known for its accelerated courses and practical leadership focus. Coursework blends theory with real-world application and culminates in a capstone project addressing a real campus challenge.
ASU charges a flat tuition rate for online students nationwide, with no out-of-state surcharge, and provides remote access to success coaches and career guidance.
Program Overview:
- Credits: 30
- Mode: Fully online
- Cost: $650 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3.0 GPA)
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
University of Houston
The University of Houston offers an online MEd in Higher Education taught by experienced faculty with deep institutional expertise. Coursework covers finance, legal issues, student affairs, and organizational theory.
A supervised internship provides hands-on experience in a college setting and can often be completed locally. The program is cohort-based and includes synchronous elements to foster peer engagement.
Program Overview:
- Credits: 36
- Mode: Online, cohort-based
- Cost: $489 per credit (Texas resident) | $999 per credit (non-resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (competitive GPA, typically ~3.0)
- Official college transcripts
- 2–3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Professional resume
Penn State World Campus
Penn State’s online MEd in Higher Education draws on more than 50 years of campus-based expertise. The curriculum introduces students to key areas such as student engagement, enrollment management, policy, and institutional research.
Students can tailor their studies through emphasis areas like Administration, Student Affairs, or Institutional Research. World Campus students receive full access to Penn State’s libraries, career services, and academic advising.
Program Overview:
- Credits: 30
- Mode: Fully online
- Cost: $1,027 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary education
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
FAQs from Prospective Higher Education MEd Students
Q: Why is accreditation important for an online MEd in Higher Education?
A: Accreditation is important because it ensures your degree meets recognized standards for quality and rigor. Accredited programs are reviewed for curriculum quality, faculty credentials, and student support, which matters to employers and institutions.
Accreditation is also required for federal financial aid eligibility and helps ensure your degree will be respected if you pursue future education or transfer credits.
Q: Do I need a license or certification after earning an MEd in Higher Education?
A: No license is required for most higher education administration roles. Unlike K–12 teaching or school counseling, higher education positions such as admissions, advising, student affairs, or academic administration do not require state licensure.
This degree is considered a non-licensure, professional master’s designed to build leadership and administrative skills rather than meet certification requirements.
Q: Can I work full-time while studying for my MEd in Higher Education online?
A: Yes, most online MEd programs in Higher Education are designed for full-time working professionals. Courses are often asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework on your own schedule.
Programs also offer advising and flexible pacing to help students balance work, life, and graduate study effectively.
Q: What are the typical admissions requirements for an online MEd in Higher Education?
A: Admissions requirements are generally consistent across reputable programs. Applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and must submit official transcripts.
Common requirements include:
- 2–3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Admissions essay
- Professional résumé or CV
Many programs waive the GRE, especially for online students, and international applicants may need to submit English proficiency scores.
Q: Are internships or practicums required?
A: Some online MEd in Higher Education programs include internships or practicums, but not all do. Practical experiences are common because they provide real-world exposure to college administration.
Many programs allow students to complete internships locally or substitute a work-based project if they are already employed in higher education. Always check whether an internship is required and how it is structured.
Online Higher Education MEd Costs
The cost of an online MEd in Higher Education varies widely by institution and residency status. Tuition is usually charged per credit, and some schools offer flat online rates regardless of location.
Online students often save on housing, relocation, and commuting costs, though additional technology or program fees may apply. Accredited programs are typically eligible for federal financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance.
| School | Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 30 | $650 | $19,500 |
| University of Houston | 36 | $489 | $17,600 |
| Penn State World Campus | 30 | $1,027 | $30,810 |
Salary Potential with a Master’s in Higher Education
A master’s in higher education prepares you for administrative and leadership roles at colleges and universities — including student affairs, academic affairs, enrollment management, financial aid, and institutional research. Graduates work as academic advisors, residence life directors, registrars, and provost-track administrators. The degree is a common entry point for careers that span the full administrative structure of higher education institutions.
Compensation in higher education administration varies by institution type, role, and geography. Four-year research universities and large multi-campus systems tend to offer the strongest salaries, particularly for senior administrators.
Explore the salary table below to see what postsecondary education administrators earn across states, and get a realistic picture of higher education career compensation.
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $104,590 | $144,370 | $215,620 |
| Alabama | $100,030 | $132,170 | $211,370 |
| Alaska | $103,080 | $133,190 | $155,670 |
| Arizona | $103,280 | $142,060 | $213,610 |
| Arkansas | $78,240 | $118,520 | $166,240 |
| California | $125,460 | $169,550 | $216,480 |
| Colorado | $118,440 | $171,380 | $239,370 |
| Connecticut | $123,190 | $169,560 | $220,570 |
| Delaware | $128,570 | $175,240 | $331,850 |
| District of Columbia | $107,390 | $172,300 | $246,220 |
| Florida | $83,840 | $104,780 | $153,610 |
| Georgia | $110,200 | $161,550 | $230,780 |
| Hawaii | $81,020 | $102,250 | $133,560 |
| Idaho | $101,200 | $128,670 | $169,370 |
| Illinois | $99,770 | $128,420 | $172,540 |
| Indiana | $98,000 | $139,940 | $213,580 |
| Iowa | $89,320 | $129,320 | $174,270 |
| Kansas | $110,020 | $152,520 | $227,000 |
| Kentucky | $114,310 | $167,080 | $230,220 |
| Louisiana | $98,840 | $139,060 | $214,270 |
| Maine | $88,180 | $127,150 | $178,200 |
| Maryland | $118,550 | $166,910 | $228,880 |
| Massachusetts | $128,970 | $171,900 | $228,410 |
| Michigan | $108,500 | $167,290 | $236,640 |
| Minnesota | $104,740 | $134,500 | $176,270 |
| Mississippi | $86,590 | $132,170 | $219,180 |
| Missouri | $104,560 | $156,650 | $213,740 |
| Montana | $102,980 | $137,470 | $174,190 |
| Nebraska | $96,030 | $133,660 | $215,130 |
| Nevada | $88,810 | $133,800 | $176,730 |
| New Hampshire | $104,190 | $155,860 | $213,310 |
| New Jersey | $131,570 | $169,760 | $224,550 |
| New Mexico | $109,480 | $141,230 | $178,830 |
| New York | $139,640 | $183,360 | $278,010 |
| North Carolina | $101,060 | $135,660 | $185,140 |
| North Dakota | $101,600 | $143,540 | $233,160 |
| Ohio | $87,370 | $127,880 | $177,930 |
| Oklahoma | $105,830 | $141,670 | $231,490 |
| Oregon | $120,110 | $174,630 | $229,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,740 | $142,160 | $209,530 |
| Rhode Island | $106,520 | $173,020 | $216,270 |
| South Carolina | $95,570 | $130,530 | $177,740 |
| South Dakota | $126,160 | $175,780 | $228,660 |
| Tennessee | $100,850 | $167,170 | $224,710 |
| Texas | $104,390 | $137,660 | $215,450 |
| Utah | $100,420 | $140,910 | $218,010 |
| Vermont | $104,450 | $142,050 | $226,460 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | $172,480 | $234,300 |
| Washington | $127,630 | $167,850 | $220,610 |
| West Virginia | $84,660 | $129,510 | $198,330 |
| Wisconsin | $124,960 | $162,320 | $198,850 |
| Wyoming | $127,960 | $137,810 | $174,170 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm
Showing 1 – 10 of 52 entries | Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Best Online MEd Programs in Higher Education
Concordia University-Chicago
Best for: advancement-focused students
Liberty University
Best for: advancement-focused students
Eastern Michigan University
Best for: advancement-focused students
SUNY Brockport
Best for: advancement-focused students
Morehead State University
Best for: advancement-focused students
Arkansas State University
Best for: enrollment management specialists
University of West Alabama
Best for: advancement-focused students
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Best for: advancement-focused students
Wilmington University
Best for: working students
Georgia Southern University
Best for: advancement-focused students
