Best institutions to study Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary
A program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of special assistants and/or personal secretaries for business executives and top management.
69 U.S. institutions graduated 1,118 Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0402, 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 Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary programs
A program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of special assistants and/or personal secretaries for business executives and top management. Includes instruction in business communications, principles of business law, public relations, scheduling and travel management, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, conference and meeting recording, report preparation, office equipment and procedures, office supervisory skills, and professional standards and legal requirements.
See also: 51.0716 - Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary program prepares individuals for essential roles supporting business executives and top management. This program is ideal for those seeking to enhance their administrative skills and take on responsibilities that require a high level of organization and professionalism in a business environment.
Students will gain knowledge in business communications, scheduling and travel management, secretarial accounting, and office procedures. Coursework emphasizes skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and proficiency in various office software applications.
Credentials awarded
What Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year521 graduates / yr · 27 institutions47%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years248 graduates / yr · 31 institutions22%
- Award of less than 12 weeks167 graduates / yr · 7 institutions15%
- Associate's degree146 graduates / yr · 33 institutions13%
- Bachelor's degree36 graduates / yr · 6 institutions3.2%
Graduates over time
Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,626 |
| 2013 | 3,385 |
| 2014 | 3,001 |
| 2015 | 2,956 |
| 2016 | 1,952 |
| 2017 | 1,690 |
| 2018 | 1,933 |
| 2019 | 2,022 |
| 2020 | 1,807 |
| 2021 | 1,772 |
| 2022 | 1,792 |
| 2023 | 1,495 |
| 2024 | 1,379 |
| 2025 | 1,118 |
Top 50 institutions for Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary, 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 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 328 | 53% | $19,944 | $32,345 |
| 2 | Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KYPublicAward 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 yearsAssociate's | 95 | 56% | — | — |
| 3 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward 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 yearsAssociate's | 83 | 43% | — | $26,532 |
| 4 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 82 | 40% | — | $26,926 |
| 5 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 76 | 50% | — | $26,607 |
| 6 | Washington State College of Ohio Marietta, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 32% | — | — |
| 7 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 59% | — | — |
| 8 | Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville, KYPublicAward 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 yearsAssociate's | 25 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 54% | — | — |
| 10 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Upper Cumberland Crossville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 84% | — | $18,800 |
| 11 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson Jackson, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 80% | — | $21,227 |
| 12 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 71% | — | $21,295 |
| 13 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 69% | — | — |
| 14 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 100% | — | — |
| 15 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston Livingston, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 78% | — | — |
| 16 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown Morristown, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 80% | — | $25,814 |
| 17 | Kilgore College Kilgore, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PRPublicBachelor's | 13 | 47% | — | $8,781 |
| 19 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 28% | — | — |
| 20 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis Memphis, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 21 | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 39% | — | — |
| 22 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Henry/Carroll Paris, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 75% | — | — |
| 23 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Shelbyville Shelbyville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 81% | — | $41,217 |
| 24 | Autry Technology Center Enid, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 75% | — | — |
| 25 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton Elizabethton, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 81% | — | — |
| 26 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate's | 9 | 32% | — | $30,228 |
| 27 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 33% | — | $26,402 |
| 28 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 8 | 38% | — | — |
| 29 | TCAT Athens Athens, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 95% | — | $16,498 |
| 30 | University of Puerto Rico Bayamon, PRPublicBachelor's | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 31 | Caribbean University - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 43% | $6,392 | — |
| 32 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 22% | — | — |
| 33 | Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 6 | 30% | — | — |
| 34 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAssociate's | 6 | 40% | — | — |
| 35 | Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Fort Cobb, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 36 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 37 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jacksboro Jacksboro, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 84% | — | — |
| 38 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump Crump, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 63% | — | $15,795 |
| 39 | University of Puerto Rico - Carolina Carolina, PRPublicBachelor's | 5 | 37% | — | — |
| 40 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 40% | — | — |
| 41 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Harriman Harriman, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 69% | — | — |
| 42 | Lake Land College Mattoon, ILPublicAssociate's | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 43 | Oakton College Des Plaines, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 44 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 22% | — | — |
| 45 | Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable, MAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 22% | — | — |
| 46 | Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 42% | — | — |
| 47 | Humacao Community College Humacao, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 38% | $3,905 | — |
| 48 | Palau Community College Koror, PWPublicAssociate's | 3 | 27% | — | — |
| 49 | Northwest Technology Center - Alva Alva, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 77% | — | — |
| 50 | North Idaho College Coeur d'Alene, IDPublicAssociate's | 2 | 38% | — | — |
* 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 18 states & territories
Where Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 3 | 336 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota328 / yr |
| Kentucky | 7 | 333 | Maysville Community and Technical College95 / yr |
| Tennessee | 15 | 149 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Upper Cumberland15 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 82 | Ivy Tech Community College82 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 8 | 41 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao13 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 6 | 36 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee14 / yr |
| Illinois | 9 | 31 | Waubonsee Community College10 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 31 | Washington State College of Ohio30 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 24 | Kilgore College13 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 19 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 4 | 14 | Quinsigamond Community College6 / yr |
| Washington | 2 | 12 | Spokane Community College9 / yr |
| Palau | 1 | 3 | Palau Community College3 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | North Idaho College2 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 2 | Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Hagerstown Community College1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | Nassau Community College1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Westmoreland County Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 43-6011, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, with an annual job outlook of approximately 50,000 openings. The median wage for these positions is around $74,260, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0402
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 |
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 Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary 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).
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial ScienceCIP 52.04017,104 graduates / yr413 institutions
- 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
- 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 credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to an associate's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 69 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for executive assistants?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.6%, but there are still about 50,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary?+
Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary is CIP 52.0402 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 prepares individuals to perform the duties of special assistants and/or personal secretaries for business executives and top management. Includes instruction in business communications, principles of business law, public relations, scheduling and travel management, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, conference and meeting recording, report preparation, office equipment and procedures, office supervisory skills, and professional standards and legal requirements.
How many institutions offer Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary programs?+
69 U.S. institutions reported Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states & territories, awarding 1,118 credentials in the year. That is 7.5% of all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services graduates.
How much do Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary 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 Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary 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 $25,814 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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