Best institutions to study Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
A program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers.
413 U.S. institutions graduated 7,104 Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0401, a specialization of Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (CIP 52.04), and leads most directly to the Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 43-6011).
About Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. Includes instruction in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
See also: 22.0301 - Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary., 51.0716 - Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science program, part of Business Operations Support and Assistant Services, prepares students for roles as administrative assistants and secretaries. This program is designed for individuals looking to develop essential skills for managing office tasks and supporting executives in various business environments.
Students will gain knowledge in business communications, office procedures, secretarial accounting, and the operation of office machines. Core skills include active listening, critical thinking, and effective writing, all essential for successful performance in administrative roles.
Credentials awarded
What Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3,471 graduates / yr · 203 institutions49%
- Associate's degree1,698 graduates / yr · 283 institutions24%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,403 graduates / yr · 187 institutions20%
- Award of less than 12 weeks461 graduates / yr · 12 institutions6.5%
- Bachelor's degree71 graduates / yr · 10 institutions1.0%
Graduates over time
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,154 |
| 2013 | 14,636 |
| 2014 | 13,376 |
| 2015 | 12,488 |
| 2016 | 10,880 |
| 2017 | 10,130 |
| 2018 | 9,197 |
| 2019 | 8,627 |
| 2020 | 7,391 |
| 2021 | 6,845 |
| 2022 | 6,272 |
| 2023 | 5,746 |
| 2024 | 6,606 |
| 2025 | 7,104 |
Top 50 institutions for Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, 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 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,333 | 55% | $6,760 | $27,137 |
| 2 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 203 | 51% | — | — |
| 3 | Odessa College Odessa, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 186 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 152 | 31% | — | — |
| 5 | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 143 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 130 | 37% | — | — |
| 7 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 110 | 70% | — | — |
| 8 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 89 | 48% | — | $29,857 |
| 9 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 78 | 21% | — | — |
| 10 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 77 | 42% | — | — |
| 11 | George C Wallace Community College - Dothan Dothan, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 70 | 35% | — | $26,151 |
| 12 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 69 | 40% | — | — |
| 13 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 66 | 33% | — | $27,024 |
| 14 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 30% | — | — |
| 15 | Panola College Carthage, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 43% | — | — |
| 16 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 61 | 30% | — | — |
| 17 | Davis Technical College Kaysville, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 59 | 57% | — | — |
| 18 | River Parishes Community College Gonzales, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 30% | — | — |
| 19 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 56 | 37% | — | — |
| 20 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 56 | 45% | — | — |
| 21 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 36% | — | — |
| 22 | Ogden - Weber Technical College Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 53% | — | $34,157 |
| 23 | Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 53 | 30% | — | — |
| 24 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 38% | — | $22,360 |
| 25 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 61% | — | — |
| 26 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 30% | — | — |
| 27 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 46 | 48% | — | — |
| 28 | Northwest Career College Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 68% | $15,787 | — |
| 29 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 41% | — | — |
| 30 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 38% | — | — |
| 31 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 21% | — | — |
| 32 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 42 | 30% | — | — |
| 33 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 37 | 43% | — | — |
| 34 | Midland College Midland, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 23% | — | — |
| 35 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 36 | 66% | — | — |
| 36 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 23% | — | — |
| 37 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 28% | — | $25,548 |
| 38 | D'Mart Institute Barranquitas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 70% | $7,248 | $12,909 |
| 39 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 37% | — | — |
| 40 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 32% | — | $29,578 |
| 41 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 38% | — | — |
| 42 | Plaza College Forest Hills, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 68% | $19,409 | — |
| 43 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 23% | — | — |
| 44 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 36% | — | — |
| 45 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 49% | — | $29,476 |
| 46 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 42% | — | — |
| 47 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 24% | — | — |
| 48 | Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 56% | — | — |
| 49 | Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 77% | — | — |
| 50 | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 26% | — | $25,648 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Business Operations Support and Assistant Services field (CIP 52.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 44 states & territories
Where Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 43-6011, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as executive secretaries, administrative assistants, and human resources assistants. Although the job outlook shows a slight decline of 1.6%, there are approximately 50,000 annual openings in this field, with a median wage of $74,260 and typical education requirements of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0401
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistantsprimary SOC 43-6011 | $76,590 | -1.6% Decline | ~50,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive SOC 43-6014 | $47,540 | -1.6% Decline | ~202,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers SOC 43-1011 | $69,500 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~144,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping SOC 43-4161 | $50,610 | -7.1% Decline | ~9,000 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science 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
- Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
- Make travel arrangements for executives.
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
- Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
Tools and technology used
Other Business Operations Support and Assistant Services specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (CIP 52.04).
- Customer Service Support/CIP 52.0411
Call Center/ Teleservice Operation 2,464 graduates / yr37 institutions - Business/CIP 52.0407
Office Automation/ Technology/ Data Entry 2,124 graduates / yr113 institutions - General Office Occupations and Clerical ServicesCIP 52.04081,140 graduates / yr114 institutions
- Executive Assistant/CIP 52.0402
Executive Secretary 1,118 graduates / yr69 institutions - Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk/CIP 52.0410
Technician partial data314 graduates / yr4 institutions - Business Operations Support and Secretarial ServicesCIP 52.0499290 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Parts, Warehousing, and Inventory Management OperationsCIP 52.0409partial data242 graduates / yr7 institutions
- ReceptionistCIP 52.040697 graduates / yr15 institutions
See all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services programs →
Common questions
What type of degree can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or other short-term awards.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and business communications.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an executive secretary, administrative assistant, or human resources assistant.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is declining slightly at -1.6%, but there are still around 50,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science?+
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science is CIP 52.0401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (CIP 52.04). NCES defines it as: A program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. Includes instruction in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science programs?+
413 U.S. institutions reported Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 7,104 credentials in the year. That is 47.7% of all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services graduates.
How much do Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants occupation, which Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,590 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Operations Support and Assistant Services field report median earnings of $27,494 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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