Best institutions to study Archives/Archival Administration
A program that prepares individuals to identify, manage, preserve, and make available records with long-term value for documentation, legal, research, and other purposes.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 324 Archives/Archival Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 25.0103, a specialization of Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01), and leads most directly to the Archivists occupation (BLS SOC 25-4011).
About Archives/Archival Administration programs
A program that prepares individuals to identify, manage, preserve, and make available records with long-term value for documentation, legal, research, and other purposes. Includes instruction in appraisal and collection development, information and records management, archival preservation, access systems, management of electronic records, archival outreach, and legal and ethical issues.
See also: 54.0105 - Public/Applied History.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Archives/Archival Administration program, part of Library Science and Administration, prepares individuals to manage and preserve records with long-term value. This program is ideal for those interested in documentation, research, and legal purposes, focusing on the importance of archival materials in various fields. Students will learn how to identify, manage, and provide access to valuable records.
Core coursework includes appraisal and collection development, archival preservation, and management of electronic records. Students will also gain skills in information and records management, as well as understanding legal and ethical issues related to archival work.
Credentials awarded
What Archives/Archival Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree149 graduates / yr · 2 institutions46%
- Post-master's certificate128 graduates / yr · 4 institutions40%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate44 graduates / yr · 7 institutions14%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
Graduates over time
Archives/Archival Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 55 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 168 |
| 2017 | 181 |
| 2018 | 208 |
| 2019 | 104 |
| 2020 | 176 |
| 2021 | 214 |
| 2022 | 203 |
| 2023 | 295 |
| 2024 | 256 |
| 2025 | 324 |
Top 13 institutions for Archives/Archival 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 | Simmons University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 136 | 72% | $24,848 |
| 2 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster's | 98 | 69% | — |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 21 | 75% | — |
| 4 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 20 | 74% | $49,088 |
| 5 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster's | 15 | 69% | — |
| 6 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 54% | — |
| 7 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 58% | — |
| 8 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 57% | $24,639 |
| 9 | Blackfeet Community College Browning, MTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 62% | $6,463 |
| 10 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 53% | — |
| 11 | Chicago State University Chicago, ILPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 15% | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 49% | — |
| 13 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PRPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 50% | — |
Offered in 11 states & territories
Where Archives/Archival Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Library Science and Administration programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 136 | Simmons University136 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 98 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College98 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 29 | Pratt Institute - Main20 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 21 | University of Iowa21 / yr |
| California | 1 | 15 | San Jose State University15 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 10 | Indiana University - Indianapolis10 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 9 | Wayne State University9 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 3 | Blackfeet Community College3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Chicago State University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee1 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 1 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4011, Archivists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as archivists, with an average annual growth outlook of 3.8% and about 1,100 annual job openings. The median wage for archivists is $61,570, and a master's degree is the typical education required for this profession.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 25.0103
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Archivistsprimary SOC 25-4011 | $64,550 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor'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 Archives/Archival 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
- Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
- Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
- Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
- Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
Tools and technology used
Other Library Science and Administration specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01).
Common questions
What degree do I need to pursue a career in archival administration?+
A master's degree is typically required for a career as an archivist.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and information management.
What types of jobs can I get with this degree?+
You can work as an archivist or in various management roles related to records.
Is the job outlook good for archivists?+
Yes, the job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3.8% growth expected.
What is the CIP code for Archives/Archival Administration?+
Archives/Archival Administration is CIP 25.0103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to identify, manage, preserve, and make available records with long-term value for documentation, legal, research, and other purposes. Includes instruction in appraisal and collection development, information and records management, archival preservation, access systems, management of electronic records, archival outreach, and legal and ethical issues.
How many institutions offer Archives/Archival Administration programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Archives/Archival Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states & territories, awarding 324 credentials in the year. That is 4.9% of all Library Science and Administration graduates.
How much do Archives/Archival Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Archivists occupation, which Archives/Archival Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,550 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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