PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2023
New Research From CUPA-HR Finds Disparities Persist in Representation and Pay Equity in Higher Ed Leadership Positions
CUPA-HR has published a new research report highlighting trends in representation and pay equity by gender among higher education administrators from 2002 to 2022, as well as trends in composition and pay equity by race/ethnicity and gender within the higher ed administrator workforce over the past 10 years. Data show that while some progress has been made, gaps in pay and representation are still prevalent.
Findings for Administrators Overall
While the number of women serving in top leadership roles in the nation’s colleges and universities has steadily increased over the past two decades, they still are not paid equitably to men serving in the same roles. Women currently make up half of the higher ed administrator workforce (compared to 43 percent in 2002), but they are paid only $0.93 per $1.00 paid to men administrators, representing a meager $0.03 increase in pay ratio from 2002.
Between 2012 and 2022, the representation of people of color in higher ed administration increased by 41 percent. People of color comprised 13 percent of administrators in 2012 and 18 percent of administrators in 2022. However, people of color are still woefully underrepresented among higher ed administrators in comparison to U.S. graduate degree holders (most higher ed administrator positions typically require a graduate degree). To reach parity with U.S. graduate degree holders, the representation of people of color among higher ed administrators would need to increase by 69 percent.
The median pay ratio of all administrator positions was higher in 2022 than it was in 2012, though changes in pay equity were larger for some groups and far smaller for others. Asian women, women of two or more races, Hispanic or Latino men, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander men, and men of two or more races were paid inequitably to White men in 2012, but in 2022, were paid equitably or higher. Though still paid inequitably in 2022, Native American or Alaska Native men had a considerable increase in median pay ratio, from $0.78 per $1.00 paid to White men in 2012 to $0.96 per $1.00 paid to White men in 2022. Notably, several groups had only small increases in pay over the decade. Native American or Alaska Native women had only a $0.01 increase in median pay ratio, Black women and men had only a $0.03 increase, and White women had only a $0.04 increase.
Findings for Presidents
The representation of female campus presidents increased from 21 percent in 2002 to 33 percent in 2022. Despite this 60 percent increase, women held only 1 in 3 presidencies in 2022. Pay equity for female presidents did not improve much over the 20-year span. In 2002, female presidents were paid $0.92 per $1.00 paid to male presidents, and in 2022, female presidents were paid $0.93 per $1.00 paid to male presidents.
Nearly 6 out of 10 (57 percent) president positions are held by White men, and nearly 3 in 10 (27 percent) president positions are held by White women. The representation of men of color (11 percent) among presidents is approximately twice as high as the representation of women of color (5 percent).
Findings for Provosts
Women went from comprising less than one-third (31 percent) of provosts in 2002 to comprising nearly half (48 percent) of provosts in 2022. Pay equity improved as well: female provosts were paid $0.91 per $1.00 paid to male provosts in 2002, and in 2022, female provosts were paid $0.96 per $1.00 paid to male provosts.
Among provosts, the largest group is White men (45 percent) followed by White women (39 percent). The representation of women of color (9 percent) among provosts is slightly higher than the representation of men of color (7 percent) among provosts.
About CUPA-HR
CUPA-HR is the recognized authority on compensation surveys for higher education, with its workforce surveys designed by higher ed HR professionals for higher ed HR professionals and other campus leaders. CUPA-HR has been collecting data on the higher ed workforce for more than 50 years, and we maintain one of the largest workforce databases in existence. CUPA-HR also publishes numerous research publications and interactive graphics highlighting trends and issues around higher ed workforce planning, pay equity, representation of women and racial/ethnic minorities and more. Learn more about CUPA-HR research.
CUPA-HR is higher ed HR. We serve higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. Serving more than 33,000 HR professionals and other campus leaders at nearly 2,000 member institutions and organizations around the country and abroad, the association offers learning and professional development programs, higher education salary and benefits data, extensive online resources and just-in-time regulatory and legislative information.
Contact Information
Missy Kline
Project Manager – Communications and Marketing
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