This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on psychological capital (PsyCap) within higher education institutions (HEIs). The research aims to provide an overview of the current state and potential future directions of PsyCap research in HEIs. A total of 412 journal articles were analyzed from the Web of Science database. The study used bibliometric coupling and co-word analysis to identify influential publications, outline the knowledge structure, and predict future trends. The analysis revealed five distinct clusters in bibliometric coupling and four clusters in co-word analysis. Despite the growing significance of PsyCap research in HEIs, there remains a need for more academic efforts to fully understand the research landscape. The study highlights the expanding area of PsyCap research in HEIs and offers insights into its potential for further growth. The findings suggest that PsyCap plays a crucial role in enhancing academic resilience, promoting student and teacher well-being, and improving overall educational outcomes. The study also identifies key themes such as the relationship between PsyCap and mental health, the impact of PsyCap on academic performance, and the role of PsyCap in career development. The analysis indicates that future research should focus on the application of PsyCap in global crises, digital transformation, and diverse populations. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating PsyCap into educational practices and policies to enhance student and faculty well-being. The research also highlights the need for cross-cultural studies and culturally sensitive interventions to broaden the applicability of PsyCap. The study concludes that PsyCap has significant potential to improve well-being and performance in HEIs, but further research is needed to fully explore its implications and applications.This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on psychological capital (PsyCap) within higher education institutions (HEIs). The research aims to provide an overview of the current state and potential future directions of PsyCap research in HEIs. A total of 412 journal articles were analyzed from the Web of Science database. The study used bibliometric coupling and co-word analysis to identify influential publications, outline the knowledge structure, and predict future trends. The analysis revealed five distinct clusters in bibliometric coupling and four clusters in co-word analysis. Despite the growing significance of PsyCap research in HEIs, there remains a need for more academic efforts to fully understand the research landscape. The study highlights the expanding area of PsyCap research in HEIs and offers insights into its potential for further growth. The findings suggest that PsyCap plays a crucial role in enhancing academic resilience, promoting student and teacher well-being, and improving overall educational outcomes. The study also identifies key themes such as the relationship between PsyCap and mental health, the impact of PsyCap on academic performance, and the role of PsyCap in career development. The analysis indicates that future research should focus on the application of PsyCap in global crises, digital transformation, and diverse populations. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating PsyCap into educational practices and policies to enhance student and faculty well-being. The research also highlights the need for cross-cultural studies and culturally sensitive interventions to broaden the applicability of PsyCap. The study concludes that PsyCap has significant potential to improve well-being and performance in HEIs, but further research is needed to fully explore its implications and applications.