The Higher Ed Business and Finance Workforce
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| Title: | The Higher Ed Business and Finance Workforce |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Diana Tubbs, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) |
| Source: | College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. 2026. |
| Availability: | College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. 1811 Commons Point Drive, Knoxville, TN 37932. Tel: 877-287-2474; Fax: 865-637-7674; e-mail: research@cupahr.org; Web site: http://www.cupahr.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 27 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Evaluative |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Higher Education, Educational Finance, Business, Labor Force, Professional Personnel, Employees, School Personnel, Supervisors, Administrators, Occupational Surveys |
| Abstract: | Business and finance employees are essential to higher education, safeguarding the financial health and operational efficiency vital to long-term success. Through responsible financial management and adherence to regulatory standards, these teams provide the support necessary for the campus community to focus on their best work. Higher education is facing a period of significant uncertainty, placing unprecedented pressure on business and finance teams. The combination of shifting enrollment demographics, increased pressure on tuition revenue, policy disruptions, and rising costs has transformed the fiscal landscape, presenting this workforce with particularly demanding challenges. Despite their critical role, there is limited research focused on the business and finance workforce in higher education. Although there is strong coverage of institutional finance, far less is known about the people who carry out this work. Drawing on data from CUPA-HR's higher education workforce surveys, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the size, structure, and most common positions within the business and finance workforce. This report examines employees across three distinct levels -- non-supervisors, supervisors, and administrators. Key findings detailed in this report include a comparative analysis of median pay across associate's, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral institutions. Additionally, the report examines representation and median pay ratios by race/ethnicity and gender -- noting that women have substantial representation in business and finance roles. The findings also provide a unique intersectional lens on pay equity, identifying disparities for women based on both age and position level -- data points often overlooked in previous research. Furthermore, the report explores years in position, revealing important differences in how long employees remain in non-supervisory, supervisory, and administrative roles. Finally, insights from CUPA-HR's "Higher Education Employee Retention Survey" highlight that although business and finance employees report a lower likelihood of seeking other job opportunities, there is a clear gap between the flexible work arrangements employees desire and current workplace offerings. The report concludes with evidence-based recommendations for benchmarking the size and structure of the business and finance workforce, developing leadership and development opportunities, and addressing gaps in pay equity. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED680275 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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