Adult and Continuing Education Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Adult and Continuing Education Administration prepares professionals to lead and manage educational initiatives tailored to adult learners. This field emphasizes the strategic development and oversight of programs that address foundational education gaps or support lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal growth. Graduates are equipped to navigate complex institutional environments with a focus on equity, effectiveness, and organizational leadership.
- Adult Education Principles: Explores the cognitive, social, and motivational factors influencing adult learning, including self-directed learning models and experiential pedagogy.
- Program and Facilities Planning: Focuses on designing and organizing educational services and physical or virtual learning spaces to meet diverse adult learner needs.
- Personnel Management: Covers hiring, training, performance evaluation, and leadership strategies for diverse educational teams and staff.
- Community and Client Relations: Develops skills in stakeholder engagement, outreach, and building partnerships with individuals, organizations, and local institutions.
- Budgeting and Administration: Teaches financial planning, resource allocation, grant writing, and operational efficiency within educational organizations.
- Professional Standards: Examines ethical guidelines, accreditation requirements, and best practices that uphold quality and accountability in adult education settings.
- Applicable Laws and Policies: Addresses legal frameworks, including civil rights regulations, funding mandates, and compliance protocols affecting adult and continuing education programs.
Adult and Continuing Education Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Adult and Continuing Education Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Adult and Continuing Education Administration degrees, including Training and Development Managers and Education Administrators, All Other. 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 98,290 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Managers 11-3131 | $127,090 | $75,810 - $219,990 | 44,960 | $61.10 |
| Education Administrators, All Other 11-9039 | $89,040 | $49,490 - $158,050 | 53,330 | $42.81 |
Adult and Continuing Education Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $79,580 in Montana to $133,710 in Delaware—a 68% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 98,290 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 Adult and Continuing Education Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 19 institutions offering Adult and Continuing Education Administration 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 Adult and Continuing Education Administration is found at University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (138 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (56 graduates), Northern Illinois University (NIU) (24 graduates), East Carolina University (ECU) (23 graduates), and University of Arkansas (U of A) (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 330 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
138 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Master's
|
23 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
10 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| South College |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
8 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | south.edu |
| Arcadia University |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | arcadia.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Carroll University |
Master's
|
6 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Private | carrollu.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Master's
|
5 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
5 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Coppin State University |
Master's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | coppin.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Adult and Continuing Education Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Adult and Continuing Education Administration degree?
Salaries for Adult and Continuing Education Administration graduates vary by role and location. Training and Development Managers earn a median of $127,090 annually, while Education Administrators, All Other earn around $89,040. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $133,710 compared to $79,580 in Montana. Approximately 98,290 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 Adult and Continuing Education Administration programs?
Currently 19 accredited institutions offer Adult and Continuing Education Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (138 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (56 graduates), and Northern Illinois University (NIU) (24 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 Adult and Continuing Education Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,007 in 2010 to a peak of 406 in 2020, before declining slightly to 330 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% 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 Adult and Continuing Education Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Training and Development Managers, Education Administrators, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 98,290 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.
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