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Secondary School Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for professionals aiming to lead secondary educational institutions, this program equips individuals with the strategic and operational expertise needed to excel as principals and school administrators in grades 7 through 12. It emphasizes evidence-based leadership, organizational excellence, and the development of equitable, student-centered learning environments.

  • Secondary School Education: In-depth exploration of curriculum frameworks, instructional methodologies, and academic standards specific to middle and high school contexts.
  • Program and Facilities Planning: Strategic approaches to designing and managing school programs and physical spaces that support diverse learning needs and long-term institutional goals.
  • Budgeting and Administration: Mastery of financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability within complex educational systems.
  • Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement: Techniques for building trust, communicating effectively with parents, staff, and the broader community, and fostering positive institutional reputations.
  • Human Resources Management: Principles of hiring, professional development, performance evaluation, and retention strategies for teaching and support staff.
  • Adolescent Growth and Development: Understanding the cognitive, emotional, and social dynamics of teenage learners to inform instructional and disciplinary practices.
  • Counseling Skills: Foundational competencies in student support, crisis intervention, and collaborative problem-solving to promote student well-being.
  • Applicable Law and Regulations: Comprehensive study of federal, state, and local education laws, including civil rights, special education mandates, and due process requirements.
  • School Safety and Crisis Management: Frameworks for creating secure school environments and responding effectively to emergencies, behavioral threats, and trauma.
  • Policy Studies: Analysis of educational policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation to drive systemic improvement and equity.
  • Professional Standards and Ethics: Examination of leadership integrity, ethical decision-making, and adherence to national and professional codes of conduct.

Secondary School Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

460
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
25
Universities & Colleges
1
Career Pathways

Secondary School Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Secondary 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

Secondary 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 Secondary School Administration by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 25 institutions offering Secondary 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 Secondary School Administration is found at University of North Carolina (UNCP), Pembroke (59 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (54 graduates), University of Dayton (UD) (42 graduates), McKendree University (32 graduates), and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) (30 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 460 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 North Carolina (UNCP)
Master's
59 Pembroke, North Carolina Public uncp.edu
Appalachian State University (App State)
Master's
Post-Master's
54 Boone, North Carolina Public appstate.edu
University of Dayton (UD)
Postbac Cert.
42 Dayton, Ohio Private udayton.edu
McKendree University
Master's
32 Lebanon, Illinois Private mckendree.edu
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
Master's
30 Durham, North Carolina Public nccu.edu
Wayne State College (WSC)
Master's
27 Wayne, Nebraska Public wsc.edu
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU)
Post-Master's
26 Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Public sru.edu
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master's
24 Chapel Hill, North Carolina Public unc.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Postbac Cert.
24 Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
Campbell University
Master's
23 Buies Creek, North Carolina Private campbell.edu
Marshall University
Post-Master's
22 Huntington, West Virginia Public marshall.edu
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU)
Master's
19 Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania Private gmercyu.edu
Upper Valley Educators Institute (UVEI)
Post-Master's
18 Lebanon, New Hampshire Private uvei.edu
Lindenwood University
Master's
12 Saint Charles, Missouri Private lindenwood.edu
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)
Master's
10 Cape Girardeau, Missouri Public semo.edu
Missouri Valley College (MVC)
Master's
9 Marshall, Missouri Private moval.edu
Charleston Southern University (CSU)
Master's
6 Charleston, South Carolina Private charlestonsouthern.edu
Rider University
Post-Master's
5 Lawrenceville, New Jersey Private rider.edu
North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T)
Master's
5 Greensboro, North Carolina Public ncat.edu
Western Michigan University (WMU)
Master's
4 Kalamazoo, Michigan Public wmich.edu
Widener University
Postbac Cert.
Master's
3 Chester, Pennsylvania Private widener.edu
Furman University
Master's
3 Greenville, South Carolina Private furman.edu
University of Mary (UMary)
Master's
1 Bismarck, North Dakota Private umary.edu
Robert Morris University (RMU)
Postbac Cert.
1 Moon Township, Pennsylvania Private rmu.edu
Capella University
Doctorate (Research)
1 Minneapolis, Minnesota Private capella.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Secondary School Administration programs

How much can I earn with a Secondary School Administration degree?

Salaries for Secondary 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 Secondary School Administration programs?

Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Secondary School Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of North Carolina (UNCP), Pembroke (59 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (54 graduates), and University of Dayton (UD) (42 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 Secondary School Administration growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 664 in 2010 to 460 in 2023-24. This represents a 31% 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 Secondary 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.

Related Education Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Education field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.