Best institutions to study Purchasing
A program that prepares individuals to manage and/or administer the processes by which a firm or organization contracts for goods and services to support its operations, as well as contracts it to sell to other firms or organizations.
35 U.S. institutions graduated 800 Purchasing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0202, a specialization of Business Administration (CIP 52.02), and leads most directly to the Purchasing Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3061).
About Purchasing programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage and/or administer the processes by which a firm or organization contracts for goods and services to support its operations, as well as contracts it to sell to other firms or organizations. Includes instruction in contract law, negotiations, buying procedures, government contracting, cost and price analysis, vendor relations, contract administration, auditing and inspection, relations with other firm departments, and applications to special areas such as high-technology systems, international purchasing, and construction.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Purchasing program, formally known as Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management, is part of the Business Administration field. It prepares individuals to effectively manage and administer the processes involved in contracting for goods and services essential to organizational operations. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in procurement and contract management within various industries.
Students in the Purchasing program will gain essential skills in contract law, negotiations, vendor relations, and cost analysis. Coursework typically covers topics such as buying procedures, government contracting, and contract administration, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary for effective purchasing management.
Credentials awarded
What Purchasing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate355 graduates / yr · 11 institutions44%
- Master's degree260 graduates / yr · 9 institutions33%
- Bachelor's degree62 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.8%
- Associate's degree58 graduates / yr · 14 institutions7.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year57 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Purchasing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,376 |
| 2013 | 1,522 |
| 2014 | 1,522 |
| 2015 | 1,440 |
| 2016 | 1,426 |
| 2017 | 1,471 |
| 2018 | 1,444 |
| 2019 | 1,286 |
| 2020 | 1,086 |
| 2021 | 1,045 |
| 2022 | 933 |
| 2023 | 1,099 |
| 2024 | 1,220 |
| 2025 | 800 |
Top 35 institutions for Purchasing, 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 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 246 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 124 | 33% | — | $62,634 |
| 3 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 65 | 64% | $25,090 | $45,119 |
| 4 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 50 | 64% | $33,585 | $63,708 |
| 5 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster's | 46 | 75% | — | $61,373 |
| 6 | Athens State University Athens, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | — | — | $49,436 |
| 7 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 50% | — | $57,308 |
| 8 | Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FLPublicBachelor's | 32 | 39% | — | $35,809 |
| 9 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 59% | — | $53,605 |
| 10 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 14 | 89% | — | $65,842 |
| 11 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAssociate's | 13 | 21% | — | $44,362 |
| 12 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 48% | — | $59,982 |
| 13 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SCPublicAssociate's | 11 | 30% | — | $43,096 |
| 14 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 64% | — | $39,476 |
| 15 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 70% | $33,877 | $48,018 |
| 16 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicMaster's | 8 | 55% | — | $43,492 |
| 17 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 68% | — | $55,147 |
| 18 | Strayer University - Virginia Arlington, VAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 6 | 36% | — | — |
| 19 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 31% | — | $37,062 |
| 20 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 46% | — | $46,680 |
| 21 | Strayer University - Texas Farmers Branch, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 5 | 25% | $17,518 | — |
| 22 | Strayer University - Global Region Washington, DCPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 4 | 14% | $18,144 | — |
| 23 | Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | 65% | $23,136 | — |
| 24 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 42% | — | $42,680 |
| 25 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 46% | — | $65,966 |
| 26 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 20% | $19,369 | $68,701 |
| 27 | Strayer University - Alabama Birmingham, ALPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 0% | $22,923 | — |
| 28 | Strayer University - Georgia Chamblee, GAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 21% | $18,224 | — |
| 29 | Strayer University - South Carolina Greenville, SCPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 17% | $22,134 | — |
| 30 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 2 | 50% | — | $42,380 |
| 31 | Strayer University - Maryland Baltimore, MDPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 2 | 38% | $18,092 | — |
| 32 | Strayer University - North Carolina Greensboro, NCPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — | — |
| 33 | Chemeketa Community College Salem, ORPublicAssociate's | 1 | 21% | — | — |
| 34 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 53% | $14,286 | $47,547 |
| 35 | Strayer University - Tennessee Nashville, TNPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 0% | $18,466 | — |
* 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 22 states
Where Purchasing graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Administration programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3061, Purchasing Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Purchasing program can pursue careers as Purchasing Managers, with an annual median wage of $139,510. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.1% and approximately 6,400 annual openings. A typical education requirement for these roles is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0202
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchasing Managersprimary SOC 11-3061 | $148,080 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~6,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Administrative Services Managers SOC 11-3012 | $114,130 | +4.6% About as fast as average | ~23,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Facilities Managers SOC 11-3013 | $106,660 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~13,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes SOC 13-1011 | $82,890 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products SOC 13-1023 | — | — | — | — |
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 Purchasing 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
- Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
- Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
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
- 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
- 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 types of degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, and Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in the Purchasing program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, negotiation, and contract management.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as a Purchasing Manager, Administrative Services Manager, or in related fields.
What is the job outlook for Purchasing Managers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.1% and around 6,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Purchasing?+
Purchasing is CIP 52.0202 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 manage and/or administer the processes by which a firm or organization contracts for goods and services to support its operations, as well as contracts it to sell to other firms or organizations. Includes instruction in contract law, negotiations, buying procedures, government contracting, cost and price analysis, vendor relations, contract administration, auditing and inspection, relations with other firm departments, and applications to special areas such as high-technology systems, international purchasing, and construction.
How many institutions offer Purchasing programs?+
35 U.S. institutions reported Purchasing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states, awarding 800 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Business Administration graduates.
How much do Purchasing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Purchasing Managers occupation, which Purchasing most directly leads to, pays a median of $148,080 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Administration field report median earnings of $48,018 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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