Public Administration And Social Service Professions

Best Community Organization and Advocacy institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 105 U.S. colleges offering Community Organization and Advocacy by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.

Institutions
105
offering CIP 44.02
States offered
38
with a program page
With earnings data
16
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
2,631
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$39,269
1 year after graduation
US pay · Social and Community Service Managers
$86,100
BLS OEWS 2024

About Community Organization and Advocacy programs

The Community Organization and Advocacy program focuses on equipping students with the skills needed to influence public opinion and policy through advocacy. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about social change and community engagement, preparing them to work within various organizations that aim to address social issues and improve community welfare.

Learn more about Community Organization and Advocacy

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework will cover topics in customer service, administration, psychology, and human resources, providing a well-rounded foundation for a career in community organization and advocacy.

Top 16 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Northwestern University
Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$61,0097095%$14,799$13,500
2Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$50,352951%$32,574$48,900
3Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI Public · Bachelor's degree
$49,1039359%$33,932
4Empire State University
Saratoga Springs, NY Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,54432941%$29,218
5Springfield College - Regional, Online, and Continuing Education
Springfield, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,96184$31,415
6Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,1601468%$29,082
7Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,160350%$29,082
8University of Phoenix - Arizona
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,26936521%$15,478$50,765
9Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,0922043%$31,500
10Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,44548543%$21,535$49,016
11University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,161246%$26,449
12Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,1141839%$17,015$29,913
13Portland State University
Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,0201053%$22,250
14CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY Public · Associate degree
$33,8549025%$7,860
15University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,6172675%$17,750
16Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA Public · Associate degree
$26,3123039%$23,320

Offered across 38 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Illinois4$61,009Northwestern University
Connecticutlimited1$50,352Albertus Magnus College
Michigan8$49,103Central Michigan University
New York13$45,544Empire State University
Massachusetts11$44,961Springfield College - Regional, Online, and Continuing Education
Arizona5$43,160Arizona State University Campus Immersion
South Dakotalimited1$39,092Black Hills State University
Wisconsin3$35,161University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oregon4$34,020Portland State University
Californialimited2$29,617University of California - Santa Cruz
Iowa3$26,312Des Moines Area Community College
Alaskalimited1
Colorado3
Floridalimited1
Georgialimited1
Idaholimited1
Indianalimited2
Kansaslimited1
Kentuckylimited1
Louisianalimited1
Mainelimited2
Marylandlimited1
Minnesota4
Missouri4
Montanalimited1
New Jerseylimited1
New Mexicolimited1
North Carolinalimited2
Ohio5
Pennsylvania4
Rhode Islandlimited1
South Carolinalimited1
Tennessee3
Texaslimited1
Utahlimited2
Vermontlimited1
Virginialimited2
West Virginialimited2

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9151, Social and Community Service Managers, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Community Organization and Advocacy program can expect a positive job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 18,600 annual openings. Most positions require a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage for professionals in this field is $78,240.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+6.4%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~18,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$78,240
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
195,490
Social and Community Service Managers
US average pay
$86,100
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$78,240
annual

Top-paying metros

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$112,780avg
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
$111,360avg
Boulder, CO
$111,110avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$107,320avg
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$107,320avg

Related careers

Social and Community Service Managers
$86,100 avg · 195,490 jobs
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
$53,970 avg · 156,260 jobs
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
$58,360 avg · 110,390 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Community Organization and Advocacy programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Monitoring
Active Learning
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
Administration and Management
English Language
Psychology
Education and Training
Personnel and Human Resources

What graduates do on the job

  • Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
  • Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
  • Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
  • Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
  • Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
  • Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.

Tools & technology

Blackbaud The Raiser's EdgeClient information databasesCorel QuattroProCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteFileMaker ProFinancial accounting softwareHealthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSIBM Lotus 1-2-3

Concentrations within Community Organization and Advocacy

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Community Organization and Advocacy
    CIP 44.0201

    A program that focuses on the theories, principles, and practice of organizing and providing services to communities

Common questions

What is the focus of the Community Organization and Advocacy program?+

The program focuses on equipping students with skills to influence public opinion and policy through advocacy.

What skills will I learn in this program?+

Students will learn critical thinking, active listening, communication, and knowledge in administration and psychology.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook is positive, with a growth rate of 6.4% and about 18,600 annual openings.

What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+

Most positions require a Bachelor's degree.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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