Community Organization and Advocacy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to lead, manage, and advocate within diverse community settings. It emphasizes the development of strategies for fostering civic engagement, promoting social equity, and delivering effective community-based services.
- Community Organizing Principles: Explores the frameworks and ethical approaches used to mobilize groups around shared goals, build collective power, and influence social change.
- Advocacy Strategies: Examines methods for representing community interests through policy influence, public campaigns, and institutional negotiation.
- Service Delivery Systems: Investigates the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that meet local needs in areas such as health, housing, education, and economic development.
- Leadership and Governance: Focuses on organizational structures, decision-making processes, and leadership models essential for sustainable community initiatives.
- Equity and Social Justice: Analyzes systemic barriers and promotes inclusive practices that address disparities in access, opportunity, and representation.
- Research and Evaluation Methods: Teaches data collection, analysis, and assessment techniques to measure program impact and inform evidence-based decision-making.
Community Organization and Advocacy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Community Organization and Advocacy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Community Organization and Advocacy degrees, including Social and Community Service Managers, Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other and Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs. 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 462,140 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers 11-9151 | $78,240 | $50,020 - $129,820 | 195,490 | $37.61 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other 21-1099 | $54,940 | $36,470 - $83,210 | 110,390 | $26.41 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs 43-4061 | $51,500 | $37,690 - $72,280 | 156,260 | $24.76 |
Community Organization and Advocacy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $46,030 in Arkansas to $80,730 in District of Columbia—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 462,140 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 Organization and Advocacy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Community Organization and Advocacy 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 Organization and Advocacy is found at Grand Canyon University (GCU) (485 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (365 graduates), Empire State University (329 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (95 graduates), and Central Michigan University (CMU) (93 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,644 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
485 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Bachelor's
|
365 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Empire State University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
329 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Other Award
|
95 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
93 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Louisiana State University (LSUS) |
Master's
|
92 | Shreveport, Louisiana | Public | lsus.edu |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
90 | New York, New York | Public | bmcc.cuny.edu |
| Springfield College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
84 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
70 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
|
67 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Maine (UMA) |
Other Award
|
39 | Augusta, Maine | Public | uma.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
39 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
35 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
30 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Clark University |
Master's
|
28 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Black Hills State University (BHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Spearfish, South Dakota | Public | bhsu.edu |
| Prescott College (PC) |
Master's
|
19 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Siena Heights University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | sienaheights.edu |
| Metropolitan State University |
Master's
|
18 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| Gordon College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Master's
|
17 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
15 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
14 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
14 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Kellogg Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Public | kellogg.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
12 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Master's
|
12 | New York, New York | Public | jjay.cuny.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| DePaul University |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
|
11 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Future Generations University |
Master's
|
10 | Franklin, West Virginia | Private | future.edu |
| Albertus Magnus College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | albertus.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Master's
Other Award
|
9 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Siena College |
Other Award
|
9 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
9 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
8 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Westminster University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | westminstercollege.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Gallup, New Mexico | Public | gallup.unm.edu |
| Northland College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Ashland, Wisconsin | Private | northland.edu |
| Sullivan County Community College (SUNY Sullivan) |
Associate's
|
6 | Loch Sheldrake, New York | Public | sunysullivan.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Emory & Henry University (E&H) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Emory, Virginia | Private | ehc.edu |
| Simpson University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Redding, California | Private | simpsonu.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Master's
|
5 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Providence College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | providence.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Iliff School of Theology |
Master's
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Private | iliff.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| Berkshire Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pittsfield, Massachusetts | Public | berkshirecc.edu |
| Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Pine City, Minnesota | Public | pine.edu |
| Montana State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Havre, Montana | Public | msun.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Point Park University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
| Columbia College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | columbiasc.edu |
| Unity Environmental University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New Gloucester, Maine | Private | unity.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Madonna University |
Other Award
|
2 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
|
2 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Other Award
|
2 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hamilton, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) |
Master's
|
2 | Portland, Oregon | Private | nunm.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Beckley, West Virginia | Public | wvutech.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Other Award
|
2 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Other Award
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | uindy.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
1 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Curry College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Milton, Massachusetts | Private | curry.edu |
| Holyoke Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Holyoke, Massachusetts | Public | hcc.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Tufts University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Master's
|
1 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Truman State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kirksville, Missouri | Public | truman.edu |
| Park University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Community Organization and Advocacy programs
How much can I earn with a Community Organization and Advocacy degree?
Salaries for Community Organization and Advocacy graduates vary by role and location. Social and Community Service Managers earn a median of $78,240 annually, while Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other earn around $54,940. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $80,730 compared to $46,030 in Arkansas. Approximately 462,140 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 Organization and Advocacy programs?
Currently 107 accredited institutions offer Community Organization and Advocacy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Canyon University (GCU) (485 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (365 graduates), and Empire State University (329 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 Organization and Advocacy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,095 in 2010 to a peak of 3,114 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,651 in 2023-24. This represents a 35% 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 Community Organization and Advocacy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Social and Community Service Managers, Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other, and Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs. Related occupations employ approximately 462,140 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 Public Services Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Public Services field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Education Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to education and educational systems at the local, state, national,...
Health Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems. Includes...
International Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to relationships among nations and among governments and non-governmental entities....
Public Policy Analysis
Any instructional program in public policy analysis not listed above.
Social Work
A program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counseling, and that focus on the study of organized...
Youth Services Administration
A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. Includes instruction in child development and...