Best institutions to study Project Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage projects in a wide range of fields and occupations.
190 U.S. institutions graduated 6,015 Project Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0211, a specialization of Business Administration (CIP 52.02), and leads most directly to the Project Management Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 13-1082).
About Project Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage projects in a wide range of fields and occupations. Includes instruction in project planning, risk management, cost and time management, contracts and procurement, accounting, statistics, decision making, and human resources.
See also: 11.1005 - Information Technology Project Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Project Management program, part of the Business Administration field, prepares individuals to effectively manage projects across various industries. This program is designed for those seeking to develop their skills in planning, executing, and overseeing projects, ensuring they meet specific goals and objectives within defined constraints.
Students will gain knowledge in project planning, risk management, cost and time management, and human resources. Coursework typically includes instruction in decision-making, contracts, and procurement, equipping graduates with the tools needed to navigate complex project environments.
Credentials awarded
What Project Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,740 graduates / yr · 57 institutions29%
- Master's degree1,524 graduates / yr · 60 institutions25%
- Bachelor's degree1,204 graduates / yr · 45 institutions20%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate866 graduates / yr · 68 institutions14%
- Award of less than 12 weeks392 graduates / yr · 6 institutions6.5%
- Associate's degree169 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years99 graduates / yr · 9 institutions1.6%
- Post-master's certificate11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Project Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,300 |
| 2013 | 1,745 |
| 2014 | 3,214 |
| 2015 | 3,097 |
| 2016 | 2,634 |
| 2017 | 2,590 |
| 2018 | 3,169 |
| 2019 | 3,338 |
| 2020 | 3,706 |
| 2021 | 4,228 |
| 2022 | 4,184 |
| 2023 | 4,352 |
| 2024 | 4,775 |
| 2025 | 6,015 |
Top 50 institutions for Project Management, 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 | Ensign College Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 653 | 43% | $11,149 | — |
| 2 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 459 | 21% | $15,478 | $58,268 |
| 3 | Colorado State University Global Denver, COPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 365 | — | — | $69,863 |
| 4 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 336 | 20% | $19,369 | $68,701 |
| 5 | Spelman College Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 273 | 78% | $35,132 | — |
| 6 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 233 | 21% | $21,266 | $66,999 |
| 7 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 165 | 11% | $26,445 | $61,466 |
| 8 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 141 | 33% | $29,230 | $60,931 |
| 9 | Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 130 | 19% | $16,966 | $32,525 |
| 10 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 123 | 65% | — | $57,006 |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 115 | 92% | $26,873 | $71,668 |
| 12 | Miller - Motte College - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 115 | 60% | $26,425 | $23,907 |
| 13 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster's | 103 | 55% | — | $45,215 |
| 14 | Kiamichi Technology Center - McAlester McAlester, OKPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 102 | 45% | — | — |
| 15 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 58% | — | $46,719 |
| 16 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 77 | 65% | $28,911 | $49,772 |
| 17 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor's | 76 | 19% | — | $39,636 |
| 18 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of less than 12 weeks | 74 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 19 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WAPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 74 | 33% | — | $48,411 |
| 20 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 67 | 0% | — | $61,117 |
| 21 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 65 | 84% | $28,851 | $65,009 |
| 22 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 64 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 23 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 60 | 69% | — | $55,633 |
| 24 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 43% | $34,565 | $60,136 |
| 25 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitMaster's | 44 | 25% | $14,659 | $61,704 |
| 26 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 44 | 45% | $18,986 | $54,167 |
| 27 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor'sMaster's | 44 | 80% | $24,886 | $48,371 |
| 28 | Metropolitan College of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | 40% | $26,609 | — |
| 29 | Golden Gate University San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 41 | — | — | $77,752 |
| 30 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 39 | 60% | — | $48,776 |
| 31 | Mid - State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 52% | — | $47,268 |
| 32 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 35 | 63% | — | $45,497 |
| 33 | Amberton University Garland, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 35 | — | — | — |
| 34 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 97% | — | — |
| 35 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 95% | $22,242 | $77,479 |
| 36 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MNPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 48% | — | $47,396 |
| 37 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 32 | 56% | — | $51,290 |
| 38 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 31 | 43% | $21,535 | $53,770 |
| 39 | Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MNPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 57% | — | $53,228 |
| 40 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 31 | 31% | — | — |
| 41 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 35% | $18,316 | $58,880 |
| 42 | Elon University Elon, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 84% | $33,688 | — |
| 43 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Cupey Campus San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 31% | $8,290 | $26,047 |
| 44 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 64% | $33,585 | $63,708 |
| 45 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 27 | 83% | — | $64,138 |
| 46 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 31% | — | $37,010 |
| 47 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 26 | 47% | $21,848 | $64,920 |
| 48 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 26 | 96% | — | — |
| 49 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Carolina Campus Carolina, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 34% | $8,847 | $26,810 |
| 50 | Johnson & Wales University - Online Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 0% | $21,981 | $39,917 |
* 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 46 states & territories
Where Project Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Administration programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1082, Project Management Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Project Management program can pursue careers as Project Management Specialists, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.6% and approximately 78,200 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $100,750, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0211
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Project Management Specialistsprimary SOC 13-1082 | $102,320 | +5.6% Faster than average | ~78,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional 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 Project Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Assign duties or responsibilities to project personnel.
- Communicate with key stakeholders to determine project requirements and objectives.
- Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Create project status presentations for delivery to customers or project personnel.
- Develop or update project plans including information such as objectives, technologies, schedules, funding, and staffing.
- Identify project needs such as resources, staff, or finances by reviewing project objectives and schedules.
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
- Organizational LeadershipCIP 52.021316,743 graduates / yr548 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
- 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 an Award of at least 12 weeks, a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a Project Management Specialist, Manager, or Business Teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for project management professionals?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.6% and 78,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Project Management?+
Project Management is CIP 52.0211 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 prepares individuals to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage projects in a wide range of fields and occupations. Includes instruction in project planning, risk management, cost and time management, contracts and procurement, accounting, statistics, decision making, and human resources.
How many institutions offer Project Management programs?+
190 U.S. institutions reported Project Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states & territories, awarding 6,015 credentials in the year. That is 1.4% of all Business Administration graduates.
How much do Project Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Project Management Specialists occupation, which Project Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,320 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Administration field report median earnings of $51,763 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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