Elementary and Middle School Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for educators seeking leadership roles in K-7 settings, this program equips aspiring administrators with the strategic insight and operational expertise needed to lead elementary and middle schools effectively. It emphasizes the integration of pedagogical knowledge with administrative acumen to foster inclusive, safe, and academically rigorous learning environments.
- Elementary and Middle School Education: Explores foundational teaching methodologies and curriculum frameworks specific to early and middle childhood education, ensuring leadership decisions align with developmental and academic needs.
- Program and Facilities Planning: Covers the design and management of instructional programs and school infrastructure to support student achievement and operational efficiency.
- Budgeting and Administration: Provides hands-on training in financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability within educational institutions.
- Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement: Develops skills in communicating with parents, community members, and district officials to build trust and promote school visibility.
- Human Resources Management: Focuses on recruiting, supervising, evaluating, and supporting teaching and non-teaching staff in alignment with organizational goals.
- Childhood and Pre-Adolescent Development: Examines cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth patterns unique to children from kindergarten through grade 7.
- Counseling and Student Support Systems: Introduces foundational techniques for addressing student well-being, behavioral concerns, and academic challenges through proactive support strategies.
- Applicable Law and Educational Regulations: Analyzes federal, state, and local laws governing school operations, student rights, and compliance standards.
- School Safety and Crisis Management: Prepares leaders to implement safety protocols, respond to emergencies, and maintain secure learning environments.
- Policy Studies and Implementation: Investigates the development, analysis, and execution of educational policies that impact instruction, equity, and school culture.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Emphasizes ethical decision-making, integrity in leadership, and adherence to professional codes of conduct in educational administration.
Elementary and Middle School Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Elementary and Middle School Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Elementary and Middle School Administration degrees, including Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. 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 319,630 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary 11-9032 | $104,070 | $72,400 - $165,820 | 319,630 | N/A |
Elementary and Middle School Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $80,650 in West Virginia to $161,090 in Washington—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, California, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 319,630 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 Elementary and Middle School Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 27 institutions offering Elementary and Middle School 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 Elementary and Middle School Administration is found at Arkansas State University (A-State) (706 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (108 graduates), State University of New York, New Paltz (57 graduates), Sacred Heart University (SHU) (46 graduates), and Rowan University (46 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,258 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
706 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
108 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| State University of New York |
Post-Master's
|
57 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Post-Master's
|
46 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Rowan University |
Master's
|
46 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Wilkes University |
Master's
|
46 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | wilkes.edu |
| SUNY College |
Post-Master's
|
40 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Newark, Ohio | Public | newark.osu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Master's
|
20 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Lima, Ohio | Public | lima.osu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Post-Master's
|
13 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Mansfield, Ohio | Public | mansfield.osu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Marion, Ohio | Public | osumarion.osu.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Master's
|
10 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Bethel University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | ggc.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Master's
|
2 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Elementary and Middle School Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Elementary and Middle School Administration degree?
Salaries for Elementary and Middle School Administration graduates vary by role and location. Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary earn a median of $104,070 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $161,090 compared to $80,650 in West Virginia. Approximately 319,630 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 Elementary and Middle School Administration programs?
Currently 27 accredited institutions offer Elementary and Middle School Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arkansas State University (A-State) (706 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (108 graduates), and State University of New York, New Paltz (57 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 Elementary and Middle School Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,487 in 2010 to a peak of 1,634 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,258 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% 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 Elementary and Middle School Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. Related occupations employ approximately 319,630 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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