Abstract: In this study, the socio-cultural aspects of innovative development of the higher school were considered. The theoretical analysis was carried out on the basis of methodology of a cultural dominant which defines an innovative orientation of the higher school. Results showed that the higher school develops as a multidimensional cultural phenomenon and her innovative potential is defined by influence of various humanitarian measurements such as: social-centered, value-centered, anthropocentric, profession-centered, scientific-centered, ideological, economic. Researchers consider personal measurement as a key in development of innovative capacity of the higher school and analyze the situation of crisis of the higher school at the present stage and an exit way from this situation. Destructive influence of monopoly of economic measurement on the innovative capacity of the higher school was noted.