Auto damage estimator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an auto damage estimator. Auto damage estimators usually study business, automotive technology, or communication. 56% of auto damage estimators hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 248 real auto damage estimator resumes to see exactly what auto damage estimator education sections show.

The most common colleges for auto damage estimators are the Jackson College and the Jackson College.

There are also many online auto damage estimator courses to help get the education required to be an auto damage estimator.

What education do you need to become an auto damage estimator?

What degree do you need to be an auto damage estimator?

The most common degree for auto damage estimators is bachelor's degree, with 56% of auto damage estimators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 56%

Associate, 16%

High School Diploma, 11%

Diploma, 7%

Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become an auto damage estimator?

You should major in business to become an auto damage estimator. 30% of auto damage estimators major in business. Other common majors for an auto damage estimator include automotive technology and communication.

Business, 30%

Automotive Technology, 8%

Communication, 6%

Criminal Justice, 6%

Other Majors, 50%

Most common colleges for auto damage estimators

Auto damage estimators often get their degrees at Jackson College, California State University - Chico, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for auto damage estimators in the US based on their resumes.

Auto damage estimator common college	Percentages
Jackson College	8.70%
California State University - Chico	8.70%
University of Phoenix	8.70%
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	4.35%
Capital University	4.35%

Show more common auto damage estimator colleges

Best majors for auto damage estimators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	30.3%
2	Automotive Technology	7.9%
3	Communication	5.6%
4	Criminal Justice	5.6%
5	Management	4.5%

Show more common auto damage estimator majors

Best colleges for auto damage estimators

The best colleges for auto damage estimators are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An auto damage estimator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for auto damage estimators. 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 auto damage estimators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,912

Enrollment

14,245

10. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

20 best online courses for auto damage estimators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for auto damage estimators

The most affordable schools for auto damage estimators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for auto damage estimators 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 auto damage estimators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for auto damage estimators

The hardest universities for auto damage estimators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for auto damage estimators 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 auto damage estimators 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for auto damage estimators

The easiest schools for auto damage estimators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an auto damage estimator 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 auto damage estimators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

10. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

Average auto damage estimator salary by education level

Auto damage estimators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $61,193 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, auto damage estimators earn a median annual income of $59,555 compared to $51,144 for auto damage estimators with an High School Diploma degree.

Auto damage estimator education level	Auto damage estimator salary
Master's Degree	$61,193
High School Diploma or Less	$51,144
Bachelor's Degree	$59,555
Some College/ Associate Degree	$50,611

Auto damage estimator education FAQs

What is the best college for Auto Damage Estimators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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