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The study by CUPA-HR found that 70% of higher education institutions now employ at least one professional residing out of state, up from 63% in 2021-22. While the overall percentage of out-of-state professionals remains small—rising from 4% to 5% over the same period—researchers say the steady increase suggests institutions are becoming more open to cross-state hiring to fill talent gaps and meet employee demands for flexibility.
"This increase may reflect a shift in institutions' willingness to hire professionals across state lines," according to the report, titled "Colleagues From Near and Far: Out-of-State Professionals in the Higher Education Workforce."
Athletics positions showed the highest concentration of out-of-state professionals at 7%, followed by information technology at 6%. External affairs and academic affairs each reported 5% of professionals living out of state.
The high percentage in athletics reflects the sector's unique hiring dynamics. Coaches frequently move between institutions, and new head coaches typically replace most or all of their assistant coaching staff, often through expedited hiring processes that allow little time for relocation.
IT positions face different pressures. Colleges and universities have struggled with staffing shortages as technology professionals can often earn higher salaries outside higher education, motivating institutions to broaden their candidate pools beyond state lines.
Private institutions were more likely than public colleges to employ out-of-state professionals, with 76% reporting at least one such employee compared to 63% of public institutions. The gap has widened over time, with private institutions showing 10 percentage points of growth since 2021-22 compared to just 3 percentage points for public institutions.
Institutions awarding master's and doctoral degrees were also more likely to hire out of state than those with associate's or bachelor's degrees as their highest credential. Half or fewer associate's degree institutions reported any out-of-state professionals, with no growth in that percentage since data collection began.
Perhaps most notably, the proportion of out-of-state professionals living in non-neighboring states grew from 34% in 2021-22 to 45% in 2024-25. These employees are unlikely to commute regularly to campus, suggesting they work partially or fully remote.
Arizona, Texas, Florida, California, and North Carolina were the most common states where out-of-state professionals resided when working for institutions in non-neighboring states.
Despite the growth, most institutions reported relatively few out-of-state employees. Eighty-seven percent of institutions with out-of-state professionals reported 30 or fewer such employees, and only 3% reported 100 or more.
The report acknowledges that hiring across state lines presents logistical challenges. HR professionals must navigate varying employment laws and tax systems, and some institutions have adopted policies limiting hiring to certain states.
CUPA-HR recommends that institutions conduct regular job analyses to identify roles suitable for remote work, provide resources to support supervisors managing flexible work arrangements, and carefully consider differing state labor laws before expanding out-of-state employment.
The data comes from CUPA-HR's Professionals in Higher Education Survey, which has collected state-of-residence information since 2021-22. The survey covers positions typically requiring professional-level expertise, a baccalaureate degree or higher, or professional licensure.
