What Does a College Administrator Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a college administrator do?

Education administrators, postsecondary, oversee student services, academics and research at colleges and universities. The median pay is $104,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Master’s plus campus experience, and employment is projected to grow +1.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$104,590
$50.29/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+1.8%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
14,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Master's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Master’s plus campus experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
231,800
Employment, 2025

What college administrators do

College administrators manage the work behind higher education. Admissions directors recruit students, registrars manage records and course scheduling, deans of students oversee student life, and academic deans lead faculty and programs. They manage budgets, staff and policy and work toward goals like enrollment and graduation rates.

Most have a master’s degree, often in higher education administration, and experience working at a college.

Typical duties

Manage a college office or division
Set policies and procedures
Oversee budgets
Supervise staff
Track enrollment and retention data
Work with faculty and students
Ensure compliance with regulations

Work environment and schedule

Administrators work in campus offices, with meetings across campus.

Schedule: Full time, with busy seasons around admissions, registration and graduation.

A day in the life

8:30 AMReview weekly enrollment numbers.
9:30 AMMeet the admissions team.
11:00 AMMeet a student about an appeal.
12:30 PMLunch with faculty leaders.

See a full day in the life of a college administrator →

College Administrator salary

Half of college administrators earned more than $104,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $64,560 for the lowest 10% to $215,620 for the top 10%.

$64,56010th$104,590Median$215,62090th

Full college administrator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a college administrator

Earn a bachelor’s
Work in student affairs
Earn a master’s
Become an assistant director
Advance to director or dean

A master’s degree in higher education administration or a related field is typical; academic deans usually hold a doctorate.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a college administrator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Higher education policy
Budgeting
Enrollment management
Data analysis
Compliance

People skills

Leadership
Communication
Problem-solving
Diplomacy

All college administrator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Campus environment
Good benefits
Help students succeed
Many specialties

Cons

Bureaucracy
Budget pressure
Enrollment pressure
Busy seasons

Certifications and licenses

Master’s in higher education: Common credential.
Ed.D. or Ph.D.: For senior roles.
NACADA or NASPA training: Professional groups.
FERPA training: Records privacy.

Career path

Coordinator: Entry campus role.
Assistant Director: Lead programs.
Director: Lead an office.
Dean or Vice President: Lead divisions.

Learn the job before day one

Our College Administrator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as improve first-year retention and plan an admissions recruiting cycle, safety and how to land your first job.

View College Administrator training Is this career right for me?

School Counselor

Help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.

$64,330
Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s

Education Professor

Prepare future teachers and research how people learn.

$75,350
8+ years including teaching

School Principal

Lead a school’s teachers, students and families toward strong learning.

$105,870
5+ years of teaching plus a master’s

Human Resources Manager

Lead hiring, employee relations and people programs for an organization.

$149,280
5+ years of HR experience

Compare: College Administrator vs. School Counselor · College Administrator vs. Education Professor · College Administrator vs. School Principal · College Administrator vs. Human Resources Manager

College Administrator FAQ

What degree do college administrators need?

Usually a master’s; deans often have doctorates.

What kinds of roles are there?

Admissions, registrar, student affairs, academic deans and more.

Is it different from teaching?

Yes, administrators manage offices and programs rather than teach.

How much does a college administrator make?

The median annual wage for college administrators was $104,590 ($50.29 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $64,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $215,620.

How long does it take to become a college administrator?

Most people need about Master’s plus campus experience of training. A master’s degree in higher education administration or a related field is typical; academic deans usually hold a doctorate.

Do you need a degree to be a college administrator?

Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.

More college administrator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9033 (Education administrators, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Education administrators, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

College Administrator