Youth Services Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals committed to advancing the well-being of young people and their families, this program equips learners with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead and manage youth-focused social services. It emphasizes evidence-based practices in child and adolescent development, legal frameworks governing youth welfare, and the effective design and delivery of community-based programs.
- Child Development and Psychology: Explores cognitive, emotional, and social growth from infancy through adolescence, with a focus on developmental milestones and their implications for service delivery.
- Adolescence and Youth Behavior: Investigates the psychological and social dynamics of teenage years, including identity formation, risk behaviors, and resilience-building strategies.
- Family Studies and Dynamics: Analyzes family systems, parenting practices, and the impact of socioeconomic and cultural factors on family functioning and child outcomes.
- Social Work Principles and Practice: Introduces foundational concepts in helping relationships, advocacy, and intervention models tailored to vulnerable youth and at-risk families.
- Social Services Administration: Focuses on organizational management, budgeting, staffing, and policy implementation within youth-serving agencies and nonprofit institutions.
- Juvenile and Family Law: Provides an overview of legal rights and responsibilities, court processes, child protection systems, and the role of legal frameworks in youth welfare.
- Program and Facilities Planning: Teaches the design and management of physical and virtual spaces that support youth engagement, safety, and program effectiveness.
- Youth Leadership and Empowerment: Develops strategies for fostering leadership, civic engagement, and decision-making among young people in community settings.
- Counseling and Intervention Techniques: Covers individual, group, and family counseling methods used to support emotional well-being and behavioral change in youth.
- Probation and Juvenile Justice Systems: Examines the structure and function of juvenile justice, including diversion programs, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts.
- Casework and Case Management: Trains learners in assessment, goal setting, service coordination, and documentation to support individual youth and family needs.
- Regulatory Compliance and Professional Ethics: Addresses legal standards, confidentiality protocols, and ethical decision-making in high-stakes youth service environments.
Youth Services Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Youth Services Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Youth Services Administration degrees, including Social and Community Service Managers and Child, Family, and School Social Workers. 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 578,450 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 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers 21-1021 | $58,570 | $40,580 - $94,030 | 382,960 | $28.16 |
Youth Services Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,160 in Arkansas to $89,310 in District of Columbia—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 578,450 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 Youth Services Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering Youth Services 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 Youth Services Administration is found at Purdue University Global (61 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (31 graduates), Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (23 graduates), Rhode Island College (RIC) (23 graduates), and University of North Alabama (UNA) (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 267 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Global |
Bachelor's
|
61 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
31 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
23 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| University of North Alabama (UNA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Florence, Alabama | Public | una.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Other Award
|
16 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Highline College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Delta College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
8 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Other Award
|
7 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Point University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Chatham University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Abilene, Texas | Private | hsutx.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Youth Services Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Youth Services Administration degree?
Salaries for Youth Services Administration graduates vary by role and location. Social and Community Service Managers earn a median of $78,240 annually, while Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn around $58,570. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $89,310 compared to $48,160 in Arkansas. Approximately 578,450 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 Youth Services Administration programs?
Currently 24 accredited institutions offer Youth Services Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Purdue University Global (61 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (31 graduates), and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (23 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 Youth Services Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 68 in 2010 to a peak of 486 in 2020, before declining slightly to 267 in 2023-24. This represents a 293% 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 Youth Services Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Social and Community Service Managers, Child, Family, and School Social Workers, . Related occupations employ approximately 578,450 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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