Best degree programs for Emergency Management Directors, ranked by enrollment
6 college programs and 256 schools train Emergency Management Directors. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $93,330 median wage, 13,500 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
6 college programs at 256 schools train emergency management directors, graduating 6,363 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Homeland Security. The job pays a median of $93,330 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About emergency management directors
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
6 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 43.0301 | 2,784 | 43.8% | 102 | $46,281 | $23,250 |
| 2 | CIP 43.0302 | 2,762 | 43.4% | 152 | $46,281 | $23,250 |
| 3 | CIP 43.0303 | 568 | 8.9% | 25 | $46,281 | $23,250 |
| 4 | CIP 43.0304 | 178 | 2.8% | 14 | $46,281 | $23,250 |
| 5 | CIP 43.0120 | 42 | 0.7% | 6 | $37,408 | $24,069 |
| 6 | CIP 43.0119 | 29 | 0.5% | 2 | $37,408 | $24,069 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 817 | Homeland Security | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 2 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Private for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 354 | Homeland Security | 33% | $15,554 | — |
| 3 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA Public · 1 feeder programs | 302 | Homeland Security | 39% | — | — |
| 4 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 202 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 43% | $21,535 | 79% |
| 5 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · 1 feeder programs | 199 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 45% | — | — |
| 6 | American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 176 | Homeland Security | 9% | $15,785 | — |
| 7 | Laredo College Laredo, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 155 | Homeland Security | 30% | — | — |
| 8 | University at Albany Albany, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 149 | Homeland Security | 61% | — | 69% |
| 9 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · 3 feeder programs | 147 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 68% | — | 87% |
| 10 | Waldorf University Forest City, IA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 138 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 21% | $22,328 | 77% |
| 11 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 119 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 74% | — | 55% |
| 12 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs | 118 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 0% | — | 67% |
| 13 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 108 | Homeland Security | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 14 | Central Texas College Killeen, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 103 | Homeland Security | 11% | — | — |
| 15 | Utica University Utica, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 89 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 56% | $20,237 | 92% |
| 16 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 88 | Homeland Security | — | — | — |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · 2 feeder programs | 74 | Homeland Security | 34% | — | 91% |
| 18 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 67 | Homeland Security | 75% | $30,225 | 62% |
| 19 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 66 | Homeland Security | 50% | — | 78% |
| 20 | Post University Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 65 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 25% | $14,659 | — |
| 21 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 64 | Homeland Security | 55% | — | 90% |
| 22 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Public · 2 feeder programs | 63 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 49% | — | 96% |
| 23 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 60 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 78% | — | 40% |
| 24 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 59 | Homeland Security | 65% | $28,911 | 99% |
| 25 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH Public · 1 feeder programs | 59 | Homeland Security | 76% | — | 88% |
| 26 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 57 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 56% | — | 57% |
| 27 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 54 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 21% | — | — |
| 28 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 52 | Homeland Security | 67% | $38,899 | 65% |
| 29 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · 2 feeder programs | 51 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 38% | — | — |
| 30 | Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Public · 2 feeder programs | 50 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 39% | — | — |
| 31 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 47 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 61% | — | 72% |
| 32 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 46 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 55% | — | 78% |
| 33 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology Delray Beach, FL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 45 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 76% | $19,718 | — |
| 34 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 44 | Homeland Security | 45% | $18,986 | 78% |
| 35 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 44 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 36 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Public · 1 feeder programs | 41 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 55% | — | 82% |
| 37 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 58% | — | 86% |
| 38 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 36 | Homeland Security | 84% | — | 57% |
| 39 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 35 | Homeland Security | 21% | $21,266 | 58% |
| 40 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · 2 feeder programs | 35 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 67% | — | 78% |
| 41 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 84% | $29,789 | 47% |
| 42 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 95% | $22,242 | 13% |
| 43 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Homeland Security | 61% | $35,483 | 97% |
| 44 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 49% | — | — |
| 45 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 55% | — | 99% |
| 46 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 54% | — | 64% |
| 47 | Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 28 | Homeland Security | 38% | — | — |
| 48 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Homeland Security | 61% | $23,331 | 87% |
| 49 | Excelsior University Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 26 | Homeland Security | — | — | — |
| 50 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Homeland Security | 25% | — | — |
What emergency management directors earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginialimited | $60,460 | 120 | 1.92× | 1 | 817 |
| Texas | $93,570 | 1,210 | 0.99× | 19 | 582 |
| Arizona | $81,970 | 160 | 0.56× | 8 | 546 |
| Iowamoderate | $73,700 | 130 | 0.99× | 3 | 453 |
| Florida | $99,020 | 720 | 0.83× | 17 | 450 |
| New York | $92,570 | 790 | 0.94× | 20 | 426 |
| California | $129,910 | 1,170 | 0.74× | 10 | 276 |
| Virginia | $99,860 | 450 | 1.26× | 6 | 227 |
| Utahlimited | $84,860 | 170 | 1.12× | 2 | 200 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,550 | 520 | 1.00× | 13 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $93,840 | 420 | 0.97× | 15 | 170 |
| District of Columbiamoderate | $184,350 | 150 | 2.39× | 4 | 136 |
| New Jersey | $120,990 | 490 | 1.33× | 8 | 116 |
| Arkansaslimited | $50,180 | 160 | 1.37× | 2 | 104 |
| New Hampshiremoderate | $77,420 | 50 | 0.84× | 3 | 102 |
| Connecticutmoderate | $113,380 | 180 | 1.23× | 3 | 91 |
| Missouri | $75,660 | 310 | 1.20× | 9 | 88 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $74,730 | 150 | 0.88× | 3 | 85 |
| Illinois | $83,820 | 450 | 0.84× | 5 | 66 |
| Georgia | $83,200 | 430 | 1.02× | 7 | 64 |
| Massachusetts | $123,250 | 220 | 0.70× | 5 | 58 |
| Idahomoderate | $99,720 | 80 | 1.02× | 3 | 52 |
| Alaskalimited | $101,850 | 120 | 4.40× | 1 | 51 |
| Oklahoma | $60,990 | 310 | 2.12× | 5 | 49 |
| South Carolina | $93,680 | 330 | 1.63× | 7 | 43 |
| Colorado | $129,660 | — | — | 6 | 41 |
| Kansasmoderate | $68,000 | 140 | 1.12× | 4 | 38 |
| Louisianamoderate | $96,550 | 180 | 1.07× | 3 | 36 |
| Michigan | $87,880 | 220 | 0.58× | 6 | 35 |
| Tennessee | $81,800 | 370 | 1.28× | 5 | 34 |
| Washington | $130,780 | 180 | 0.58× | 6 | 34 |
| Ohio | $94,690 | 250 | 0.52× | 7 | 31 |
| Marylandmoderate | $107,200 | 150 | 0.63× | 4 | 27 |
| Nebraskamoderate | $89,740 | 120 | 1.38× | 3 | 22 |
| South Dakotalimited | $67,180 | 120 | 2.97× | 1 | 22 |
| North Dakotalimited | $76,640 | 80 | 2.06× | 2 | 20 |
| New Mexicolimited | $145,550 | 170 | 2.22× | 1 | 19 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $87,690 | 30 | 0.76× | 2 | 19 |
| Mainemoderate | $84,050 | 80 | 1.50× | 4 | 17 |
| Nevadalimited | $105,570 | 60 | 0.48× | 1 | 17 |
| Minnesota | $106,880 | 190 | 0.75× | 5 | 12 |
| Oregonlimited | $110,720 | 120 | 0.70× | 1 | 9 |
| Hawaiilimited | $74,290 | 90 | 1.71× | 1 | 1 |
| Mississippilimited | $48,650 | 230 | 2.30× | 1 | 1 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
- Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
- Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
- Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
- Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
- Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
- Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
Skills
- Speaking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Learning Strategies3.9
- Active Learning3.8
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.7
- Administration and Management4.2
- Law and Government4.2
- Communications and Media4.0
- English Language4.0
- Customer and Personal Service3.9
Abilities
- Speech Clarity4.1
- Oral Comprehension4.1
- Oral Expression4.1
- Deductive Reasoning4.1
- Problem Sensitivity4.0
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
Core activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.5
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.5
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.5
- Getting Information4.5
- Developing and Building Teams4.4
- Working with Computers4.3
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Emergency Management Director
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience needed
- 5 years or more
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 7 majors mapped to Emergency Management Directors6 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 43.0119Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
- 43.0120Protective Services Operations
- 43.0301Homeland Security
- 43.0302Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
- 43.0303Critical Infrastructure Protection
- 43.0304Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operations
- 61.0603Emergency Medical Services Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Emergency Management Director?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Homeland Security, which awarded 2,784 degrees in 2024-25, 43.8% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Emergency Management Director?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 6 programs to this occupation. The largest are Homeland Security, Criminal Justice and Corrections. Together they graduate about 6,363 people a year.
How much do emergency management directors earn?+
The median is $93,330 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $54,210 at the 10th percentile to $166,430 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for emergency management directors growing?+
BLS projects a +3.0% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 1,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
256 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 6 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do emergency management directors work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Emergency Planner, Public Safety Director, Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 11-9161.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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