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Associate relations specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate relations specialist. Associate relations specialists usually study business, political science, or psychology. 71% of associate relations specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 861 real associate relations specialist resumes to see exactly what associate relations specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate relations specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online associate relations specialist courses to help get the education required to be an associate relations specialist.

There are certain associate relations specialist certifications that you should consider. These associate relations specialist certifications include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

What education do you need to become an associate relations specialist?

What degree do you need to be an associate relations specialist?

The most common degree for associate relations specialists is bachelor's degree, with 71% of associate relations specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Associate, 8%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an associate relations specialist?

You should major in business to become an associate relations specialist. 22% of associate relations specialists major in business. Other common majors for an associate relations specialist include political science and psychology.

Most common colleges for associate relations specialists

Associate relations specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, George Washington University, The, and Rider University. Here are the most common colleges for associate relations specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Associate relations specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix7.84%
George Washington University, The6.86%
Rider University5.88%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill5.88%
Central State University4.90%

Best majors for associate relations specialists

Best colleges for associate relations specialists

The best colleges for associate relations specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

An associate relations specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate relations specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate relations specialists.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

7. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,853

Enrollment

14,759

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

20 best online courses for associate relations specialists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for associate relations specialists

The most affordable schools for associate relations specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for associate relations specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate relations specialists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

9. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate relations specialists

The hardest universities for associate relations specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for associate relations specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate relations specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Tulane University

New Orleans, LA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,428

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate relations specialists

The easiest schools for associate relations specialists to get into are Barry University, holy names university, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate relations specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate relations specialists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average associate relations specialist salary by education level

According to our data, associate relations specialists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $55,759 annually. Associate relations specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $52,589.
Associate relations specialist education levelAssociate relations specialist salary
Master's Degree$55,759
Bachelor's Degree$52,589

Associate relations specialist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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