Executive Assistant and Secretary: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals aiming to excel in high-level administrative support roles, this program equips individuals with the advanced skills needed to serve as executive assistants and secretaries within corporate and organizational leadership environments. It emphasizes precision, discretion, and strategic coordination in managing complex operations for top-tier executives.
- Business Communications: Develops expertise in crafting clear, professional correspondence and delivering effective verbal and written communication in fast-paced executive settings.
- Principles of Business Law: Provides foundational knowledge of legal frameworks affecting workplace conduct, contracts, and compliance in corporate environments.
- Public Relations Fundamentals: Explores strategies for managing organizational image and stakeholder interactions, particularly in sensitive executive contexts.
- Scheduling and Travel Management: Trains students in coordinating complex itineraries, managing logistics, and anticipating needs for executive travel across time zones and regions.
- Secretarial Accounting: Introduces core financial record-keeping tasks, including expense tracking, budget support, and fiscal reporting for executive departments.
- Filing Systems and Records Management: Focuses on organizing physical and digital documentation with accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance in mind.
- Conference and Meeting Documentation: Builds skills in real-time note-taking, summarizing discussions, and producing actionable minutes for executive decision-making.
- Report Preparation: Teaches how to gather data, structure information, and present reports that support executive analysis and strategic planning.
- Office Equipment and Procedures: Ensures proficiency with modern office technology, including digital collaboration platforms, document management systems, and integrated communication tools.
- Office Supervisory Skills: Prepares individuals to lead administrative teams, delegate tasks, and maintain operational efficiency in support departments.
- Professional Standards and Legal Requirements: Covers ethical conduct, confidentiality protocols, and legal obligations governing executive-level administrative roles.
Executive Assistant and Secretary Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Executive Assistant and Secretary Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Executive Assistant and Secretary degrees, including Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,706,170 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants 43-6011 | $74,260 | $48,300 - $107,710 | 472,770 | $35.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers 43-1011 | $66,140 | $43,920 - $102,980 | 1,495,580 | $31.80 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 43-6014 | $46,290 | $31,600 - $64,150 | 1,737,820 | $22.26 |
Executive Assistant and Secretary Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,530 in Louisiana to $74,533 in District of Columbia—a 57% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,706,170 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Executive Assistant and Secretary by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 76 institutions offering Executive Assistant and Secretary programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Executive Assistant and Secretary is found at Rasmussen University, Minnesota (284 graduates), Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) (155 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (112 graduates), Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) (71 graduates), and West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) (54 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,380 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University |
Other Award
|
284 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Private | rasmussen.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
155 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
112 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
71 | Maysville, Kentucky | Public | maysville.kctcs.edu |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
54 | Paducah, Kentucky | Public | westkentucky.kctcs.edu |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
53 | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Public | elizabethtown.kctcs.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Rasmussen University |
Other Award
|
34 | Ocala, Florida | Private | rasmussen.edu |
| Washington State Community College (WSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
33 | Marietta, Ohio | Public | wscc.edu |
| Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Muskogee, Oklahoma | Public | ictech.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRH) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Public | upr.edu |
| Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
17 | Hopkinsville, Kentucky | Public | hopkinsville.kctcs.edu |
| Humacao Community College |
Associate's
|
14 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Private | hccpr.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | Elizabethton, Tennessee | Public | tcatelizabethton.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
12 | Crossville, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrossville.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Pulaski, Tennessee | Public | tcatpulaski.edu |
| Kilgore College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Kilgore, Texas | Public | kilgore.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
| Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
11 | Owensboro, Kentucky | Public | owensboro.kctcs.edu |
| Kellogg Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Public | kellogg.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | McKenzie, Tennessee | Public | tcatmckenzie.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | tcatmemphis.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Jackson, Tennessee | Public | tcatjackson.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRB) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Public | uprb.edu |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
8 | Prestonsburg, Kentucky | Public | bigsandy.kctcs.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Shelbyville, Tennessee | Public | tcatshelbyville.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | tcatknoxville.edu |
| Caddo Kiowa Technology Center (CKTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Fort Cobb, Oklahoma | Public | cktc.edu |
| Rasmussen University |
Other Award
|
8 | Rockford, Illinois | Private | rasmussen.edu |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | kvcc.edu |
| Waubonsee Community College |
Other Award
|
6 | Sugar Grove, Illinois | Public | waubonsee.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Public | uprc.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Harriman, Tennessee | Public | tcatharriman.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
5 | Hartsville, Tennessee | Public | tcathartsville.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Jacksboro, Tennessee | Public | tcatjacksboro.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
5 | Newbern, Tennessee | Public | tcatnorthwest.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Crump, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrump.edu |
| Alvin Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Alvin, Texas | Public | alvincollege.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Associate's
|
5 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Danville Area Community College (DACC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Danville, Illinois | Public | dacc.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Hagerstown Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Hagerstown, Maryland | Public | hagerstowncc.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Terra State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Fremont, Ohio | Public | terra.edu |
| Bellingham Technical College (BTC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | btc.edu |
| Oakton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
3 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Morristown, Tennessee | Public | tcatmorristown.edu |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon (UCB) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Private | ucb.edu.pr |
| Caribbean University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | caribbean.edu |
| Palau Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Koror, Palau | Public | palau.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Parkland College |
Associate's
|
2 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Jackson College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Jackson, Michigan | Public | jccmi.edu |
| North Central Michigan College (NCMC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Petoskey, Michigan | Public | ncmich.edu |
| Saint Paul College |
Associate's
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | saintpaul.edu |
| Umpqua Community College (UCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Roseburg, Oregon | Public | umpqua.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Dickson, Tennessee | Public | tcatdickson.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Utuado, Puerto Rico | Public | uprutuado.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Public | uprp.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| John A Logan College (JALC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Carterville, Illinois | Public | jalc.edu |
| South Suburban College (SSC) |
Other Award
|
1 | South Holland, Illinois | Public | ssc.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | Public | wncc.edu |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Rasmussen University |
Other Award
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Private | rasmussen.edu |
| High Plains Technology Center (HPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Woodward, Oklahoma | Public | hptc.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
| Western Technology Center (WTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Burns Flat, Oklahoma | Public | westtech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Executive Assistant and Secretary programs
How much can I earn with a Executive Assistant and Secretary degree?
Salaries for Executive Assistant and Secretary graduates vary by role and location. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants earn a median of $74,260 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers earn around $66,140. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $74,533 compared to $47,530 in Louisiana. Approximately 3,706,170 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Executive Assistant and Secretary programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Executive Assistant and Secretary degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Rasmussen University, Minnesota (284 graduates), Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) (155 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (112 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Executive Assistant and Secretary growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,055 in 2010 to a peak of 1,807 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,380 in 2023-24. This represents a 66% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Executive Assistant and Secretary degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers, and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. Related occupations employ approximately 3,706,170 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.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Business Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Business field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to provide marketing services in the hospitality and leisure fields. Includes instruction in hospitality operations, customer sales and...
Specialized Sales and Marketing Operations
Any instructional program in sales, marketing, and distribution operations not listed above.
Construction Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage, coordinate, and supervise the construction process. Includes instruction in commercial, residential, mechanical, highway/heavy civil, electrical, environmental,...
Construction Project Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply project management knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques in the construction and facility management industries. Includes instruction...
Telecommunications Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply business skills to design, implement, and manage the voice, video, and data networking systems of organizations....
Business and Management Services
Any instructional program in business, management, marketing and related support services not listed above.