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B2b sales representatives education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a b2b sales representatives. B2b sales representatives usually study business, marketing, or communication. 67% of b2b sales representatives hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,093 real b2b sales representatives resumes to see exactly what b2b sales representatives education sections show.

The most common colleges for b2b sales representatives are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online b2b sales representatives courses to help get the education required to be a b2b sales representatives.

There are certain b2b sales representatives certifications that you should consider. These b2b sales representatives certifications include Certified Sales Professional (CSP) and Sales Management.

What education do you need to become a b2b sales representatives?

What degree do you need to be a b2b sales representatives?

The most common degree for b2b sales representatives is bachelor's degree, with 67% of b2b sales representatives earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Associate, 15%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a b2b sales representatives?

You should major in business to become a b2b sales representatives. 37% of b2b sales representatives major in business. Other common majors for a b2b sales representatives include marketing and communication.

Most common colleges for b2b sales representatives

B2b sales representatives often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Arizona State University, and Georgia State University. Here are the most common colleges for b2b sales representatives in the US based on their resumes.
B2b sales representatives common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix17.20%
Arizona State University7.53%
Georgia State University5.38%
Pennsylvania State University5.38%
Florida State University5.38%

Best majors for b2b sales representatives

RankMajorPercentages
1Business37.2%
2Marketing8.7%
3Communication7.7%
4Psychology4.7%
5Management4.5%

Best colleges for b2b sales representatives

The best colleges for b2b sales representatives are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A b2b sales representatives with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for b2b sales representatives. 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 b2b sales representatives.

1. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

7. Ball State University

Muncie, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,896

Enrollment

15,529

8. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

9. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Enrollment

3,142

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for b2b sales representatives

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1. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

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The Complete Startup Playbook for Business Development & B2B Sales to learn Lead Generation, Pitching, & Closing Deals...

3. The Complete B2B Sales Masterclass: 6 Courses in 1

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1. Generate Leads, 2. Pitch, 3. Close & Handle Any Objection: Get Certified in Cutting Edge, Non-Pushy B2B Sales System...

4. The Complete Sales Skills Master Class - Sales Marketing B2B

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Master Sales Skills, Marketing Strategy, B2B Sales, Business Development, Lead Generation Using Top Social Skills...

5. B2B Sales Skills: LinkedIn Lead Generation, Cold Email Sales

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High-ticket B2B sales and marketing. Generate leads, sell to big companies, and win large deals. Learn sales skills!...

6. Sales Machine: The Sales Training B2B Master Course

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Learn Sales Strategies & Sales Techniques to Sell ANYTHING for Entrepreneurs, Startup, B2B Sales, & Business Development...

7. LinkedIn Advanced. Lead Generation Strategies For B2B Sales

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The Linked In Marketing Masterclass for Linked In Lead Generation and Business Development for B2B Sales. Remote Strategy...

8. Cold Calling for B2B Sales: How to Prospect over the Phone

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B2B Sales Skill: How to Cold Call over the Phone with Purpose, Navigate through Gatekeepers and Set Client Meetings...

9. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: LinkedIn's tool for B2B Sales

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Linked In Sales Navigator best remote practices for the Linked In premium service for business development and B2B sales...

10. Create B2B Sales Cold Calling Scripts & Value Propositions

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B2B Sales Skill: Create Personalized Talk Tracks for Sales Reps that Win more Prospects and Close more Deals...

11. Sales Training: How To Close More Sales

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Closing Sales: Sales Training Course: Sales Skills; Selling Techniques; Sales Strategies for B2B, B2C Direct Sales...

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13. B2B Sales Objections Simplified

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B2B Sales Skill: Learn How to Handle the Most Common Sales Objections, Over the Phone and in Person!...

14. Lead Generation Machine: Cold Email B2B Sales Master Course

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Schedule meetings emailing small to large companies for business development, B2B, startup, consultants, & entrepreneurs...

15. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development

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Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...

16. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

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Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...

17. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers

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Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...

18. LinkedIn Marketing, Lead Generation & B2B Sales for LinkedIn

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Linked In Machine: The Linked In Master Class to learn Linked In Marketing, Lead Generation, Business Development, B2B Sales...

19. Sales and Marketing For Online Businesses

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A Beginners Guide To Sales & Marketing For Your Online Business And Ventures...

20. Linkedin Marketing: B2B Sales & Lead Generation From Scratch

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Grow Any Business With a Free Linkedin Account: Business Development, Lead Generation, Linkedin B2B Sales & More!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for b2b sales representatives

The most affordable schools for b2b sales representatives are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for b2b sales representatives 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 b2b sales representatives.

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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for b2b sales representatives

The hardest universities for b2b sales representatives to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for b2b sales representatives 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 b2b sales representatives 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

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

9. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

10. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,337

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for b2b sales representatives

The easiest schools for b2b sales representatives to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and lim college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a b2b sales representatives 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 b2b sales representatives.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

7. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

8. Ursuline College

Pepper Pike, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,102

9. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

10. Cleary University

Howell, MI • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,039

Average b2b sales representatives salary by education level

B2b sales representatives with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $78,069 annually. With a Doctorate degree, b2b sales representatives earn a median annual income of $75,658 compared to $71,753 for b2b sales representatives with an Bachelor's degree.
B2b sales representatives education levelB2b sales representatives salary
Master's Degree$78,069
High School Diploma or Less$57,925
Bachelor's Degree$71,753
Doctorate Degree$75,658
Some College/ Associate Degree$59,645

B2b sales representatives 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.