Best institutions to study Community College Administration
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering community and junior colleges and related postsecondary systems, the study of community and junior colleges as objects of applied research, and that may prepare individuals to function as administrators in such settings.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 375 Community College Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0407, a specialization of Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04), and leads most directly to the Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 11-9033).
About Community College Administration programs
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering community and junior colleges and related postsecondary systems, the study of community and junior colleges as objects of applied research, and that may prepare individuals to function as administrators in such settings. Includes instruction in community and junior college finance; policy and planning studies; curriculum; faculty and labor relations; higher education law; student services; research on community and junior colleges; institutional research; marketing and promotion; and issues of evaluation, accountability and philosophy.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Community College Administration program, part of the Educational Administration and Supervision field, focuses on the principles and techniques necessary for effectively managing community and junior colleges. This program is designed for individuals aspiring to become administrators in these educational settings, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within community colleges.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in areas such as finance, policy and planning, curriculum development, and student services. Coursework also emphasizes research methodologies related to community colleges and the application of higher education law.
Credentials awarded
What Community College Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship201 graduates / yr · 16 institutions54%
- Master's degree134 graduates / yr · 7 institutions36%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate32 graduates / yr · 7 institutions8.5%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice7 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.9%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Community College Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 121 |
| 2015 | 158 |
| 2016 | 180 |
| 2017 | 297 |
| 2018 | 299 |
| 2019 | 335 |
| 2020 | 309 |
| 2021 | 354 |
| 2022 | 412 |
| 2023 | 375 |
| 2024 | 335 |
| 2025 | 375 |
Top 28 institutions for Community College Administration, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 53 | 67% | — |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 61% | — |
| 3 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 23 | 67% | — |
| 4 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicDoctoral | 22 | 47% | — |
| 5 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 22 | 46% | — |
| 6 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicDoctoral | 20 | 70% | — |
| 7 | Morgan State University Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 41% | — |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicDoctoral | 16 | 76% | — |
| 9 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicDoctoral | 15 | 55% | — |
| 10 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 57% | — |
| 11 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 69% | — |
| 12 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 57% | — |
| 13 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicDoctoral | 14 | 71% | — |
| 14 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicDoctoral | 12 | 50% | — |
| 15 | Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MSPublicMaster's | 12 | 57% | — |
| 16 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 59% | — |
| 17 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster's | 11 | 59% | — |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 7 | 55% | — |
| 19 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 56% | — |
| 20 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 62% | — |
| 21 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 53% | — |
| 22 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 4 | 71% | — |
| 23 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 61% | — |
| 24 | National American University - Rapid City Rapid City, SDPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 0% | $22,086 |
| 25 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 64% | — |
| 26 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster's | 1 | — | — |
| 27 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 71% | — |
| 28 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 65% | — |
Offered in 18 states
Where Community College Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Administration and Supervision programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9 | 116 | California State University - Fullerton20 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 65 | Mississippi State University53 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 42 | Northern Arizona University42 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 33 | Ferris State University22 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 23 | Rowan University23 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 22 | Old Dominion University22 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 18 | Morgan State University18 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 14 | Kansas State University14 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 12 | University of Wyoming12 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 7 | University of Wisconsin - Stout7 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 6 | Ball State University6 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 4 | University of Arkansas4 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | University at Albany4 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 4 | National American University - Rapid City4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | Kent State University at Kent2 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | Walden University1 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | University of North Carolina Wilmington1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | University of Utah1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9033, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Community College Administration program typically pursue careers as Education Administrators in postsecondary institutions. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 15,100 positions and a median wage of $103,960, often requiring a Master's degree for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0407
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Education Administrators, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 11-9033 | $104,590 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~15,100 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Community College Administration 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
- Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
- Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Administration and Supervision specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04).
- Educational Leadership and AdministrationCIP 13.040131,615 graduates / yr708 institutions
- Higher Education/CIP 13.0406
Higher Education Administration 4,257 graduates / yr258 institutions - Educational Administration and SupervisionCIP 13.04992,266 graduates / yr93 institutions
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum SupervisionCIP 13.04041,918 graduates / yr78 institutions
- Elementary and Middle School Administration/CIP 13.0408
Principalship 1,306 graduates / yr30 institutions - Superintendency and Educational System AdministrationCIP 13.04111,176 graduates / yr83 institutions
- Urban Education and LeadershipCIP 13.0410674 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Secondary School Administration/CIP 13.0409
Principalship 397 graduates / yr23 institutions - Adult and Continuing Education AdministrationCIP 13.0403367 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Administration of Special EducationCIP 13.0402253 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Early Childhood Program AdministrationCIP 13.0414partial data99 graduates / yr8 institutions
- International School Administration/CIP 13.0412
Leadership partial data22 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education EntrepreneurshipCIP 13.0413limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Educational Administration and Supervision programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Doctor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and administration.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Education Administrator in postsecondary education.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 15,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Community College Administration?+
Community College Administration is CIP 13.0407 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering community and junior colleges and related postsecondary systems, the study of community and junior colleges as objects of applied research, and that may prepare individuals to function as administrators in such settings. Includes instruction in community and junior college finance; policy and planning studies; curriculum; faculty and labor relations; higher education law; student services; research on community and junior colleges; institutional research; marketing and promotion; and issues of evaluation, accountability and philosophy.
How many institutions offer Community College Administration programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported Community College Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 375 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Educational Administration and Supervision graduates.
How much do Community College Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation, which Community College Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $104,590 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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