This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on psychological capital (PsyCap) within higher education institutions (HEIs). The primary objective is to offer an encompassing perspective on the current state and potential future developments in this field. By examining present research trends and predicting future directions using bibliometric methods, the study identifies influential publications, outlines the knowledge structure, and forecasts future trends through bibliographic coupling and co-word analyses. A total of 412 journal articles were gathered from the Web of Science database. The analysis reveals five distinct clusters through bibliographic coupling and four clusters through co-word analysis. Despite the growing significance of PsyCap research in HEIs, there remains a need for greater academic effort to fully understand the research landscape. The study provides valuable insights into the expanding area of PsyCap research within HEIs, highlighting its potential for further growth and suggesting future research areas. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, support systems, training programs, and positive interventions in higher education institutions, aiming to enhance student outcomes, faculty well-being, and the overall quality of the educational experience.This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on psychological capital (PsyCap) within higher education institutions (HEIs). The primary objective is to offer an encompassing perspective on the current state and potential future developments in this field. By examining present research trends and predicting future directions using bibliometric methods, the study identifies influential publications, outlines the knowledge structure, and forecasts future trends through bibliographic coupling and co-word analyses. A total of 412 journal articles were gathered from the Web of Science database. The analysis reveals five distinct clusters through bibliographic coupling and four clusters through co-word analysis. Despite the growing significance of PsyCap research in HEIs, there remains a need for greater academic effort to fully understand the research landscape. The study provides valuable insights into the expanding area of PsyCap research within HEIs, highlighting its potential for further growth and suggesting future research areas. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, support systems, training programs, and positive interventions in higher education institutions, aiming to enhance student outcomes, faculty well-being, and the overall quality of the educational experience.