Budget assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a budget assistant. Budget assistants usually study business, accounting, or finance. 65% of budget assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,034 real budget assistant resumes to see exactly what budget assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for budget assistants are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online budget assistant courses to help get the education required to be a budget assistant.

There are certain budget assistant certifications that you should consider. These budget assistant certifications include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

What education do you need to become a budget assistant?

What degree do you need to be a budget assistant?

The most common degree for budget assistants is bachelor's degree, with 65% of budget assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 65%

Associate, 16%

Master's, 8%

High School Diploma, 6%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a budget assistant?

You should major in business to become a budget assistant. 29% of budget assistants major in business. Other common majors for a budget assistant include accounting and finance.

Business, 29%

Accounting, 25%

Finance, 8%

Economics, 4%

Other Majors, 34%

Most common colleges for budget assistants

Budget assistants often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and Howard University. Here are the most common colleges for budget assistants in the US based on their resumes.

Budget assistant common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	15.04%
Strayer University	8.85%
Howard University	7.96%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.19%
New York University	5.31%

Show more common budget assistant colleges

Best majors for budget assistants

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	28.9%
2	Accounting	24.9%
3	Finance	8.3%
4	Economics	4.4%
5	Political Science	4.2%

Show more common budget assistant majors

Best colleges for budget assistants

The best colleges for budget assistants are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

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

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

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. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for budget assistants

Advertising disclosure

1. Budgeting essentials and development

The Budgeting Essentials and Development course focus on an integrative and practical view of concepts, methods, and techniques to develop a budget. After finishing this course, learners will be able to: - Develop the budget with a broad view of the corporate functions; - Integrate the strategic guidelines into the discussions of budgeting process; - Structure the budget planning and development in a logical sequence - Coordinate the project of budget planning with the different areas of the...

2. Create a Budget with Google Sheets

By the end of this project, you will be able to build a basic budget using Google Sheets. You will use a template to add, delete, edit, and format a budget to meet the needs of your personal or professional goals. You will be able to read the summary tab, share the budget, and create permissions for others to access, format the charts, and use conditional formatting. You will also be able to take the Google Sheets Budget and put it into presentable files. Note: This course works best for...

3. IT Project Budget & Cost Management

4.4

(290)

Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...

4. Building an Organizational Budget

4.4

(440)

Design program budgets from a simplified approach along with conceptual understandings...

5. Budgeting for Business

4.5

(1,712)

Learn how to create and use budgets effectively in company large or small...

6. Learn How To Budget - Personal budgeting made easy

4.5

(2,655)

Everything you need to KNOW and everything you need to DO to set and stick to a monthly budget...

7. Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company's Budget

4.6

(8,605)

Learn the Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Position Your Career for Success!...

8. Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting - Present Value

4.3

(280)

Mastering Financial Decision-Making: Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting for Long-Term Success...

9. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.

4.1

(1,381)

Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...

10. Flexible Budgets, Standard Costs, & Variance Analysis

4.4

(289)

Maximizing Financial Insight: Mastering Variance Analysis and Budgeting for Strategic Decision-Making...

11. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

4.6

(930)

Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

12. Filmmaking Secrets! Write a ZERO Budget MovieMaster Course

4.5

(255)

Screenwriting for micro-budget feature films that you can produce...

13. Financial Budgeting and Forecasting In Excel Complete Course

4.3

(806)

Template Included! Learn how to build a financial model using Microsoft Excel. Become a financial model expert...

14. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

4.5

(580)

Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

15. Budgets, Cashflow Forecasting and Management Accounts

4.5

(817)

Financial Management and Making A Profit For Charities, Not-For-Profits & Small Businesses...

16. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries

4.4

(1,649)

Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...

17. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...

18. Financial Accounting: The Complete Introductory Crash Course

4.5

(1,604)

Learn the Basics of Financial Accounting: Financial Statements, Debits and Credits, The Accounting Cycle and More!...

19. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction

4.5

(781)

Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...

20. Executive Travel Planning for Virtual Assistants

4.6

(412)

Manage flights, hotels, and car services for corporate travel like a pro! PLUS travel changes during a global crisis...

Top 10 most affordable universities for budget assistants

The most affordable schools for budget assistants are Baruch College of the City University of New York, usf sarasota-manatee, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for budget assistants 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 budget assistants.

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. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for budget assistants

The hardest universities for budget assistants to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for budget assistants 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 budget assistants 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

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. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for budget assistants

The easiest schools for budget assistants to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a budget assistant 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 budget assistants.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average budget assistant salary by education level

According to our data, budget assistants with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $67,420 annually. Budget assistants with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $60,179.

Budget assistant education level	Budget assistant salary
Master's Degree	$67,420
Bachelor's Degree	$60,179

Budget assistant education FAQs

What is the best college for Budget Assistants?

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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