by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Knowledge Management covers Knowledge Management. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of Knowledge Management In Government Agencies And Corporations For The Purpose Of Supporting Stated Organizational Goals And Objectives, And Prepares Individuals To Function As Information Resource Managers. Includes Instruction In Information Technology, Principles Of Computer And Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Applicable Policy And Regulations, And Operations And Personnel Management. Continue reading for the important information every knowledge management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering knowledge management programs.
Across the country, knowledge management is a popular field of study, with 226 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Knowledge Management Schools ranking analyzes these 20 schools to determine the best overall colleges for knowledge management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of knowledge management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Knowledge Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations knowledge management graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a knowledge management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a knowledge management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several knowledge management 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 94 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 84 |
People currently working in careers related to knowledge management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in knowledge management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in knowledge management prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to knowledge management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to knowledge management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 58,841 | 10.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of knowledge management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,818 |
| 4 years | $76,884 |
| 5 years | $85,819 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for knowledge management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers knowledge management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $35,659 |
With 20 different knowledge management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased knowledge management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in knowledge management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Management Information Systems, General | 10,310 |
| Information Resources Management | 1,218 |
| Management Information Systems and Services, Other | 338 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
