Community Organization and Advocacy.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Community Organization and Advocacy.: The DTI for this program is 67.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Community Organization and Advocacy., compare your expected starting salary (currently $38264) to the average debt ($25897) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Community Organization and Advocacy.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 67.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Community Organization and Advocacy., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($38264) against the typical student debt ($25897), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Community Organization and Advocacy.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $38264, and with an average student debt of $25897, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.68—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 2557 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Community Organization and Advocacy. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Community Organization and Advocacy (CIP 44.0201) is a social services and civic engagement field focused on mobilizing communities, empowering individuals, and advocating for social change through organized action, policy influence, and grassroots leadership. This degree prepares students to work with communities facing inequality, resource gaps, or systemic challenges, helping people organize collectively, amplify their voices, and influence institutions that affect their lives.
For a degree search site, Community Organization and Advocacy represents purpose, leadership, and real-world impact. Communities across the country rely on trained advocates and organizers to address issues such as housing access, healthcare equity, environmental justice, education reform, labor rights, and civic participation. This degree appeals to students who want a career rooted in social justice, community empowerment, and meaningful change rather than individual service delivery alone.
What Is a Community Organization and Advocacy Degree?
A Community Organization and Advocacy degree is an applied social services program that teaches students how to bring people together to identify shared concerns, develop strategies, and take collective action. Unlike clinical or case-focused helping professions, this degree emphasizes systems change, policy engagement, and community leadership.
This degree typically focuses on:
- Community engagement and grassroots organizing
- Advocacy strategies and policy influence
- Leadership development and coalition building
- Social justice and equity frameworks
- Ethical and culturally responsive practice
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for advocacy, organizing, and leadership roles
- Support nonprofit, civic, and community-based organizations
- Train professionals who address systemic social challenges
- Provide a foundation for public policy, social work, or nonprofit leadership
This degree blends theory, practice, and field-based experience.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how communities function, how power and policy shape outcomes, and how collective action can create change. You’ll study organizing models, advocacy techniques, communication strategies, and ethical leadership while gaining experience working directly with community groups.
The curriculum emphasizes collaboration, strategy, and long-term impact rather than short-term solutions.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Community organizing techniques—mobilizing and engaging groups
- Advocacy and policy influence—shaping public decisions
- Leadership and facilitation—guiding group action
- Coalition and partnership building—uniting diverse stakeholders
- Public speaking and messaging—communicating issues effectively
- Cultural competence and inclusion—working across communities
- Strategic planning and campaign design—organizing for impact
- Ethical and reflective practice—responsible advocacy
These skills are essential for roles focused on social change and civic engagement.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework in a community organization and advocacy program commonly includes:
- Community Organization Theory: models of collective action
- Advocacy and Social Policy: influencing laws and systems
- Grassroots and Movement Building: organizing strategies
- Power, Equity, and Social Justice: structural analysis
- Nonprofit and Community Leadership: organizational management
- Communication and Media for Advocacy: public messaging
- Civic Engagement and Participation: democratic involvement
- Ethics in Advocacy: responsible practice
- Field Practicum or Internship: community-based experience
Many programs require hands-on work with local organizations or campaigns.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Community Organization and Advocacy degree prepares students for roles focused on community leadership, policy change, and social impact. Career paths often exist in nonprofit, government, and advocacy organizations.
Common career paths include:
- Community Organizer: grassroots mobilization roles
- Advocacy or Policy Assistant: issue-focused organizations
- Nonprofit Program Coordinator: community initiatives
- Outreach or Engagement Specialist: public participation roles
- Campaign or Movement Coordinator: advocacy efforts
- Community Development Specialist: neighborhood-based work
- Public Policy or Legislative Aide: government advocacy
- Graduate School Path: social work, public policy, or law
Advancement often comes with experience, leadership, or advanced education.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations focused on community impact and social change:
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
- Community-based and grassroots groups
- Local, state, and federal government offices
- Public policy and research institutes
- Labor unions and worker advocacy groups
- Environmental and social justice organizations
- Philanthropic and foundation-supported programs
Community advocates often collaborate with residents, leaders, and institutions.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by organization, location, and level of responsibility.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level advocacy or organizing roles: often $35,000–$50,000
- Program coordinators or policy staff: commonly $45,000–$70,000
- Senior organizers, directors, or policy leaders: can reach $70,000–$100,000+
Mission-driven work often prioritizes impact alongside compensation.
Is This Degree Hard?
Community Organization and Advocacy is considered moderately challenging. Academically, it emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and analysis. Practically, the work can be emotionally demanding and requires persistence, adaptability, and resilience.
The challenge lies in navigating complex social systems while sustaining long-term change efforts.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are passionate about social justice and equity
- Enjoy working with groups and communities
- Want to influence policy or systems
- Are comfortable organizing, speaking, and leading
- Prefer mission-driven work with real-world impact
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a community organization and advocacy program:
- Take government, sociology, history, and social science courses
- Develop strong writing, communication, and leadership skills
- Participate in student government, service, or activism
- Volunteer with community or nonprofit organizations
- Learn about civic engagement and public policy
Community Organization and Advocacy (CIP 44.0201) is a degree for students who want to turn concern into action. It equips graduates with the skills to organize people, influence systems, and build more equitable communities. For those motivated by justice, leadership, and collective change, this degree offers a meaningful and impactful career pathway.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor