by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 28 U.S. colleges awarded 375 degrees and certificates in Community College Education. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 55% of graduates. College Factual ranks 17 schools in its 2027 Best Community College Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing, rising to $75,584 after four years.
A major in Community College Education involves the study of Community College Administration. A Program That Focuses On The Principles And Techniques Of Administering Community And Junior Colleges And Related Postsecondary Systems, The Study Of Community And Junior Colleges As Objects Of Applied Research, And That May Prepare Individuals To Function As Administrators In Such Settings. Includes Instruction In Community And Junior College Finance; Policy And Planning Studies; Curriculum; Faculty And Labor Relations; Higher Education Law; Student Services; Research On Community And Junior Colleges; Institutional Research; Marketing And Promotion; And Issues Of Evaluation, Accountability And Philosophy. Examples: [Community College Leadership], [Community College Education].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, community college education is a popular field of study, with 375 degrees awarded annually. 28 colleges award community college education degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 53.
By level, the 375 awards include 167 master’s degrees and 208 doctorates.
Women earned 60% of community college education degrees and certificates in the latest year (225 of 375). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (152) and Hispanic or Latino (90), and international students earned 4.
College Factual ranks 17 schools in its 2027 Best Community College Education Schools ranking, including 14 for master’s degrees and 14 for doctorates. It also ranks community college education schools within 6 states. In all, 28 colleges offer community college education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Community College Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common community college education credential is the doctorate: 208 of the 375 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to community college education call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a community college education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 167 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 208 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to community college education, at 47.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 37.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Community College Education, with an average median salary of $161,927. Typical job titles include College Dean, Testing Director, Administration Dean and Student Services Director.
The occupation related to community college education with the most projected jobs is Education Administrators, Postsecondary, at 237,062.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | 237,062 | -1.7% |
Community College Education graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing their program, $75,584 after four years and $74,368 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $65,167 |
| 4 years | $75,584 |
| 5 years | $74,368 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to community college education, with a median salary of $161,927.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $161,927 |
Community College Education has 13 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 44,371 degrees a year; the largest are Educational Leadership and Administration, General (31,629), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (4,258) and Educational Administration and Supervision, Other (2,266). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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