Best institutions to study Organizational Leadership
A program that focuses on leadership skills that can be applied to a business, government, non-profit, or educational setting.
548 U.S. institutions graduated 16,743 Organizational Leadership students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0213, a specialization of Business Administration (CIP 52.02), and leads most directly to the Management Analysts occupation (BLS SOC 13-1111).
About Organizational Leadership programs
A program that focuses on leadership skills that can be applied to a business, government, non-profit, or educational setting. Includes instruction in organizational planning, dynamics of leadership, finance, team building, conflict resolution and mediation, communication and other management skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Organizational Leadership program, a specialization within Business Administration, is designed for individuals seeking to develop essential leadership skills applicable across various sectors, including business, government, non-profit, and education. This program focuses on fostering effective management practices and enhancing organizational dynamics to prepare students for leadership roles in diverse environments.
Students in the Organizational Leadership program will gain critical skills in areas such as organizational planning, team building, conflict resolution, and communication. Coursework emphasizes the development of analytical and strategic thinking abilities, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to lead effectively in their chosen fields.
Credentials awarded
What Organizational Leadership graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree6,739 graduates / yr · 279 institutions40%
- Bachelor's degree5,056 graduates / yr · 209 institutions30%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,413 graduates / yr · 73 institutions8.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1,383 graduates / yr · 64 institutions8.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1,184 graduates / yr · 103 institutions7.1%
- Associate's degree400 graduates / yr · 28 institutions2.4%
- Post-master's certificate368 graduates / yr · 14 institutions2.2%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice71 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks59 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years40 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years29 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - other1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Organizational Leadership completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,465 |
| 2013 | 4,919 |
| 2014 | 6,111 |
| 2015 | 7,360 |
| 2016 | 8,493 |
| 2017 | 10,456 |
| 2018 | 11,351 |
| 2019 | 12,489 |
| 2020 | 12,797 |
| 2021 | 15,036 |
| 2022 | 15,126 |
| 2023 | 15,182 |
| 2024 | 15,583 |
| 2025 | 16,743 |
Top 50 institutions for Organizational Leadership, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1,370 | 46% | $11,580 | $66,432 |
| 2 | American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 716 | 9% | $15,785 | $43,528 |
| 3 | University of Charleston Charleston, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 708 | 46% | $21,939 | $63,623 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 568 | 0% | — | $61,117 |
| 5 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 462 | 75% | — | $46,264 |
| 6 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 400 | 65% | $28,911 | $49,772 |
| 7 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 330 | 11% | $26,445 | $61,466 |
| 8 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 318 | 33% | $15,554 | $58,468 |
| 9 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 227 | 49% | — | $39,866 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster's | 199 | 68% | — | $61,117 |
| 11 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate'sPost-degree cert. | 187 | 56% | — | $44,498 |
| 12 | University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 179 | 43% | — | $61,268 |
| 13 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 178 | 50% | $11,672 | — |
| 14 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 177 | 90% | — | $56,630 |
| 15 | Cleary University Howell, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 155 | 41% | $20,879 | $50,573 |
| 16 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral (prof.)Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 141 | 43% | $29,915 | $34,939 |
| 17 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 139 | 21% | $15,478 | $58,268 |
| 18 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 138 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 19 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 137 | — | — | $70,191 |
| 20 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 125 | 83% | — | $71,977 |
| 21 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor's | 124 | 48% | — | $52,129 |
| 22 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 119 | 61% | — | $47,884 |
| 23 | University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle, MEPublicMaster's | 117 | 52% | — | $43,902 |
| 24 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 117 | 75% | — | $61,373 |
| 25 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.) | 115 | 43% | $31,817 | $61,299 |
| 26 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralAssociate's | 106 | 20% | $16,588 | $44,876 |
| 27 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 106 | 21% | $22,328 | — |
| 28 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 81% | — | $71,253 |
| 29 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 86% | $30,006 | — |
| 30 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 99 | 50% | — | $57,308 |
| 31 | New England College Henniker, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 98 | 35% | $30,086 | $45,086 |
| 32 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 97 | 76% | — | — |
| 33 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 94 | 62% | $26,940 | $64,987 |
| 34 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 87 | 42% | $18,824 | — |
| 35 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 87 | 43% | — | $45,138 |
| 36 | Bethel University McKenzie, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 83 | 35% | $21,324 | $49,106 |
| 37 | American College of Financial Services King of Prussia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 82 | — | — | — |
| 38 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 82 | 21% | $21,266 | $66,999 |
| 39 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicBachelor's | 81 | 42% | — | $41,377 |
| 40 | Western Oregon University Monmouth, ORPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 78 | 47% | — | — |
| 41 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 76 | 60% | — | $48,776 |
| 42 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster's | 75 | 74% | — | $56,014 |
| 43 | University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Fort Smith, ARPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | 38% | — | $39,057 |
| 44 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralAssociate's | 73 | 35% | $18,316 | $58,880 |
| 45 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 71 | 42% | $21,909 | $43,435 |
| 46 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 69 | 58% | $26,609 | $37,660 |
| 47 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 69 | — | — | — |
| 48 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicBachelor's | 64 | 52% | — | $38,848 |
| 49 | Columbia International University Columbia, SCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 64 | 47% | $21,361 | — |
| 50 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 63 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Business Administration field (CIP 52.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 52 states & territories
Where Organizational Leadership graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Administration programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1111, Management Analysts, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Organizational Leadership program can pursue careers as Management Analysts, Human Resources Managers, and Training and Development Managers, among others. The job outlook for related occupations is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.8% and approximately 98,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $101,190, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0213
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Management Analystsprimary SOC 13-1111 | $101,860 | +8.8% Much faster than average | ~98,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Human Resources Managers SOC 11-3121 | $149,280 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~17,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Training and Development Managers SOC 11-3131 | $133,000 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~3,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Fundraising Managers SOC 11-2033 | $125,470 | +4.2% About as fast as average | ~3,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Organizational Leadership programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
- Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
- Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
- Document findings of study and prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organizational changes.
- Plan study of work problems and procedures, such as organizational change, communications, information flow, integrated production methods, inventory control, or cost analysis.
- Interview personnel and conduct on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used.
Tools and technology used
Other Business Administration specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Business Administration (CIP 52.02).
- Business Administration and ManagementCIP 52.0201348,906 graduates / yr2,305 institutions
- Business AdministrationCIP 52.029912,575 graduates / yr296 institutions
- Operations Management and SupervisionCIP 52.020511,666 graduates / yr144 institutions
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain ManagementCIP 52.020311,155 graduates / yr377 institutions
- Project ManagementCIP 52.02116,015 graduates / yr190 institutions
- Office Management and SupervisionCIP 52.02042,955 graduates / yr196 institutions
- Non-Profit/CIP 52.0206
Public/ Organizational Management 2,409 graduates / yr175 institutions - Retail ManagementCIP 52.02121,362 graduates / yr62 institutions
- PurchasingCIP 52.0202800 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Transportation/CIP 52.0209
Mobility Management 502 graduates / yr31 institutions - E-Commerce/CIP 52.0208
Electronic Commerce 414 graduates / yr35 institutions - Science/CIP 52.0216
Technology Management 399 graduates / yr29 institutions - Research and Development ManagementCIP 52.0210318 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Customer Service ManagementCIP 52.0207237 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Risk ManagementCIP 52.0215236 graduates / yr17 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Research Administration52.0214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, communication, and problem-solving.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Management Analyst, Human Resources Manager, or in various other leadership roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 8.8% and about 98,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Organizational Leadership?+
Organizational Leadership is CIP 52.0213 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Business Administration (CIP 52.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on leadership skills that can be applied to a business, government, non-profit, or educational setting. Includes instruction in organizational planning, dynamics of leadership, finance, team building, conflict resolution and mediation, communication and other management skills.
How many institutions offer Organizational Leadership programs?+
548 U.S. institutions reported Organizational Leadership graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 52 states & territories, awarding 16,743 credentials in the year. That is 4.0% of all Business Administration graduates.
How much do Organizational Leadership graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Management Analysts occupation, which Organizational Leadership most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Administration field report median earnings of $47,845 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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