by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Grantsmanship involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Develop And Write Grant Proposals To Support An Organization Or Cause. Includes Instruction In Identifying Grant Opportunities, Developing An Effective Proposal, Budget Justifications, And Developing A Working Relationship With The Funder. Read on to learn the key facts every grantsmanship student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering grantsmanship programs.
Across the country, grantsmanship draws strong interest, with 13 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Grantsmanship Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for grantsmanship students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of grantsmanship programs later in this article.
Coursework for Grantsmanship develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations grantsmanship graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a grantsmanship program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a grantsmanship major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several grantsmanship degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to grantsmanship tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 61.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.0% |
| Some college courses | 12.3% |
| Master’s degree | 7.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in grantsmanship careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in grantsmanship can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to grantsmanship.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to grantsmanship.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writers | 396,969 | 6.9% |
| Fundraising Managers | 340,731 | -1.0% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of grantsmanship graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,829 |
| 4 years | $57,227 |
| 5 years | $64,323 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for grantsmanship graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers grantsmanship grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| Technical Writers | $52,099 |
With 2 different grantsmanship programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased grantsmanship school rankings to help you.
Those considering grantsmanship, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Corporate Communications, General | 801 |
| Business/Corporate Communications, Other | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
