Organizational Leadership: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Organizational Leadership graduates vary by role and location. Human Resources Managers earn a median of $140,030 annually, while Managers, All Other earn around $136,550. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $146,650 compared to $79,470 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,904,060 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 525 accredited institutions offer Organizational Leadership degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (1,379 graduates), American InterContinental University System (AIUS) (767 graduates), and Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (558 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5,619 in 2010 to 15,674 in 2023-24. This represents a 179% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Human Resources Managers, Managers, All Other, and Training and Development Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,904,060 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.