Best institutions to study Receptionist
A program that prepares individuals to perform frontline public relations duties for a business, organization, or answering service.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 97 Receptionist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0406, a specialization of Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (CIP 52.04), and leads most directly to the Receptionists and Information Clerks occupation (BLS SOC 43-4171).
About Receptionist programs
A program that prepares individuals to perform frontline public relations duties for a business, organization, or answering service. Includes instruction in telephone answering techniques, responding to information requests, keeping caller and/or visitor records, placing business calls, operating telephone switchboards and/or other communications equipment, relaying incoming and interoffice calls, schedule maintenance, and public relations skills.
See also: 51.0712 - Medical Reception/Receptionist., 01.8203 - Veterinary Reception/Receptionist.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Receptionist program, part of the Business Operations Support and Assistant Services, is designed for individuals seeking to develop essential skills for frontline public relations roles within various organizations. This program prepares students to handle communication tasks effectively, ensuring smooth interactions between businesses and their clients or visitors.
Students will gain expertise in telephone answering techniques, appointment scheduling, and public relations skills. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and customer service knowledge, equipping graduates with the tools necessary for success in a receptionist role.
Credentials awarded
What Receptionist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year78 graduates / yr · 12 institutions80%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions9.3%
Graduates over time
Receptionist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 117 |
| 2013 | 129 |
| 2014 | 243 |
| 2015 | 302 |
| 2016 | 225 |
| 2017 | 193 |
| 2018 | 190 |
| 2019 | 208 |
| 2020 | 176 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 81 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 97 |
Top 15 institutions for Receptionist, 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 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 51% | — | $34,203 |
| 2 | Renton Technical College Renton, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 16 | 46% | — | — |
| 3 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 32% | — | $30,228 |
| 4 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 33% | — | $26,402 |
| 5 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 50% | — | $36,178 |
| 6 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 7 | Peninsula College Port Angeles, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 5 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Nicolet Area Technical College Rhinelander, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 44% | — | — |
| 9 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 52% | — | — |
| 10 | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 44% | — | — |
| 11 | South Central College North Mankato, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 13 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 29% | — | — |
| 14 | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 43% | — | — |
| 15 | New River Community and Technical College Beaver, WVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 36% | — | — |
* 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 7 states
Where Receptionist 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 4 | 38 | Gateway Technical College18 / yr |
| Washington | 5 | 35 | Renton Technical College16 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 14 | Dallas College14 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 7 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College4 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 1 | The University of Montana1 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | Metropolitan Community College Area1 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | New River Community and Technical College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 43-4171, Receptionists and Information Clerks, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Receptionist program can pursue careers as Receptionists and Information Clerks, with an estimated 128,500 annual job openings in this field. The typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, and the median wage for this occupation is approximately $37,230. Job growth is expected to remain stable.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0406
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Receptionists and Information Clerksprimary SOC 43-4171 | $38,010 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~128,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Customer Service Representatives SOC 43-4051 | $44,770 | -5.5% Decline | ~341,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Order Clerks SOC 43-4151 | $46,170 | -17.2% Decline | ~8,000 | Some college, no degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Receptionist 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
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
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
- 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
See all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the Receptionist program?+
The program typically awards credentials in at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and customer service.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a Receptionist, Information Clerk, or Customer Service Representative.
What is the job outlook for receptionists?+
The job outlook indicates little or no change, with 128,500 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Receptionist?+
Receptionist is CIP 52.0406 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 frontline public relations duties for a business, organization, or answering service. Includes instruction in telephone answering techniques, responding to information requests, keeping caller and/or visitor records, placing business calls, operating telephone switchboards and/or other communications equipment, relaying incoming and interoffice calls, schedule maintenance, and public relations skills.
How many institutions offer Receptionist programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Receptionist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 97 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Business Operations Support and Assistant Services graduates.
How much do Receptionist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Receptionists and Information Clerks occupation, which Receptionist most directly leads to, pays a median of $38,010 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Operations Support and Assistant Services field report median earnings of $34,203 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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