Long Term Care Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Long Term Care Administration equips professionals with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead and manage healthcare services tailored to older adults and individuals with disabilities. This program integrates healthcare knowledge with business acumen to ensure effective, ethical, and sustainable management across diverse care environments.
- Social and Clinical Aspects of Aging: Explores the psychological, physiological, and societal dimensions of aging to inform compassionate and informed care planning.
- Health Care Delivery Systems: Analyzes the structure, function, and integration of services within long-term care networks and broader healthcare ecosystems.
- Nursing Home Administration: Focuses on the leadership, compliance, and daily operations of residential care facilities for individuals requiring skilled nursing.
- Assisted Living Administration: Covers the management of community-based residential settings that support independent living with access to health and personal care services.
- Aging Policy and Government Programs: Examines federal and state regulations, funding mechanisms, and policy frameworks shaping long-term care access and quality.
- Ethics in Care Management: Addresses moral decision-making in sensitive areas such as patient autonomy, end-of-life care, and equitable service delivery.
- Business Management: Develops foundational skills in strategic planning, organizational behavior, and operational efficiency within healthcare organizations.
- Financial Management: Teaches budgeting, cost analysis, revenue generation, and fiscal accountability specific to long-term care operations.
- Human Resource Management: Focuses on recruitment, training, retention, and leadership development for diverse care teams in high-demand environments.
- Marketing for Health Services: Applies promotional and outreach strategies to enhance service visibility, community engagement, and client satisfaction.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensures proficiency in laws governing patient rights, facility standards, licensure, and risk mitigation across care settings.
Long Term Care Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Long Term Care Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Long Term Care Administration degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers. 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 565,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
Long Term Care Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $88,340 in Arkansas to $161,050 in District of Columbia—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 565,840 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 Long Term Care Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering Long Term Care 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 Long Term Care Administration is found at Ferris State University (FSU) (23 graduates), University of Connecticut (UConn) (13 graduates), Texas State University (TXST) (12 graduates), Kent State University, Kent (9 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 141 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Other Award
|
23 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
12 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
9 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Other Award
|
8 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| South Georgia State College (SGSC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Douglas, Georgia | Public | sgsc.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Other Award
|
8 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Other Award
|
7 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Americus, Georgia | Public | gsw.edu |
| Bethel University |
Other Award
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Other Award
|
5 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| State University of New York |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Other Award
|
4 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Other Award
|
4 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Master's
|
2 | Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Long Term Care Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Long Term Care Administration degree?
Salaries for Long Term Care Administration graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $161,050 compared to $88,340 in Arkansas. Approximately 565,840 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 Long Term Care Administration programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer Long Term Care Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ferris State University (FSU) (23 graduates), University of Connecticut (UConn) (13 graduates), and Texas State University (TXST) (12 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 Long Term Care Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 103 in 2010 to a peak of 409 in 2020, before declining slightly to 141 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% 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 Long Term Care Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 565,840 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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