Community College Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals aiming to lead and shape the future of postsecondary education, this program equips individuals with the strategic knowledge and practical skills required to manage community and junior colleges effectively. It integrates administrative expertise with rigorous research, fostering leadership in complex educational environments that serve diverse student populations.
- Community and Junior College Finance: Explores budgeting, funding models, financial planning, and fiscal accountability specific to public and nonprofit postsecondary institutions.
- Policy and Planning Studies: Focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of institutional and systemic policies that guide long-term educational strategy.
- Curriculum Development and Design: Addresses the creation, assessment, and alignment of academic programs with workforce needs and institutional mission.
- Faculty and Labor Relations: Covers negotiation, collective bargaining, faculty governance, and strategies for fostering collaborative academic environments.
- Higher Education Law: Examines legal frameworks governing institutions, including civil rights, student conduct, intellectual property, and compliance standards.
- Student Services Administration: Investigates the design and management of support systems such as counseling, career development, and academic advising to enhance student success.
- Research on Community and Junior Colleges: Engages in applied research to understand institutional effectiveness, student outcomes, and systemic challenges.
- Institutional Research: Emphasizes data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
- Marketing and Promotion: Develops strategies to build institutional visibility, attract diverse learners, and strengthen community engagement.
- Evaluation, Accountability, and Philosophy: Examines frameworks for measuring performance, ensuring transparency, and reflecting on the ethical foundations of community college missions.
Community College Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Community College Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Community College Administration degrees, including Education Administrators, Postsecondary. 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 176,420 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033 | $103,960 | $63,820 - $212,420 | 176,420 | $49.98 |
Community College Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $79,020 in Arkansas to $147,190 in Alaska—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Wisconsin, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 176,420 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 Community College Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering Community College 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 Community College Administration is found at Northern Arizona University (NAU) (50 graduates), California State University (CSUF), Fullerton (31 graduates), Mississippi State University (MSU) (31 graduates), Alcorn State University (ASU) (24 graduates), and Ferris State University (FSU) (19 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 335 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Alcorn State University (ASU) |
Master's
|
24 | Alcorn State, Mississippi | Public | alcorn.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| California State University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Master's
|
14 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| California State University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| National American University (NAU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Private | national.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
9 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| California State University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Turlock, California | Public | csustan.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
4 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Master's
|
4 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| California State University (CSUB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Bakersfield, California | Public | csub.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Kent State University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Community College Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Community College Administration degree?
Salaries for Community College Administration graduates vary by role and location. Education Administrators, Postsecondary earn a median of $103,960 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $147,190 compared to $79,020 in Arkansas. Approximately 176,420 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 Community College Administration programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer Community College Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Northern Arizona University (NAU) (50 graduates), California State University (CSUF), Fullerton (31 graduates), and Mississippi State University (MSU) (31 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 Community College Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 135 in 2010 to 335 in 2023-24. This represents a 148% 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.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Community College Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Administrators, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 176,420 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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