Business process manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a business process manager. Business process managers usually study business, accounting, or finance. 69% of business process managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,539 real business process manager resumes to see exactly what business process manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for business process managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online business process manager courses to help get the education required to be a business process manager.

There are certain business process manager certifications that you should consider. These business process manager certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Professional (PMP).

What education do you need to become a business process manager?

What degree do you need to be a business process manager?

The most common degree for business process managers is bachelor's degree, with 69% of business process managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 6%.

Bachelor's, 69%

Master's, 21%

Associate, 6%

High School Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a business process manager?

You should major in business to become a business process manager. 34% of business process managers major in business. Other common majors for a business process manager include accounting and finance.

Business, 34%

Accounting, 10%

Finance, 6%

Computer Science, 6%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for business process managers

Business process managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Arizona State University, and San Jose State University. Here are the most common colleges for business process managers in the US based on their resumes.

Business process manager common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	14.45%
Arizona State University	7.51%
San Jose State University	6.36%
Pennsylvania State University	5.78%
University of California, Santa Barbara	5.20%

Show more common business process manager colleges

Best majors for business process managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	34.1%
2	Accounting	10.2%
3	Finance	6.3%
4	Computer Science	5.7%
5	Management	5.4%

Show more common business process manager majors

Best colleges for business process managers

The best colleges for business process managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A business process manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for business process managers. 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 business process managers.

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. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

10. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

20 best online courses for business process managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Business Analysis Process

The Business Analysis Process course will give you a foundational understanding of the process of business analysis and will introduce you to a framework that can be used within a variety of industries and organizations. You’ll see how an analyst assesses a business problem, prepares business requirements, and implements a solution. You will learn how to identify stakeholders, to analyze them, and to define their role in a business analysis project. You’ll also learn how to gather requirements...

2. Business Process Modelling

Learn to capture and optimize business processes using specialized diagrams. Convert insights from stakeholder interviews and document analysis into concise and precise models. Understand various notations and select the best one for your needs. This comprehensive course covers process identification, capturing, documenting, and adapting models for different audiences. Ideal for process analysts, business analysts, solution architects, service & UX designers, and anyone interested in business...

3. Business Process Mapping

4.3

(288)

The complete guide to map any business process...

4. Lean BPM - Lean Business Process Management Change Skills

4.5

(553)

Lean BPM - learn how to use lean business management techniques to reduce waste and improve your business efficiency...

5. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class

4.2

(860)

12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...

6. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems

4.6

(4,741)

Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...

7. Introduction to Business Process Modeling

4.5

(8,200)

Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...

8. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!

4.5

(3,086)

Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...

9. BPMN For Business Analytics A-Z™: Business Process Modeling

4.6

(250)

Learn Business Process Modelling with over Real-World case studies...

10. Business Process Modelling with UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN

4.5

(307)

Become an expert in Modelling Business Processes with Business Analysis Techniques and UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN...

11. BPMN 2.0 Business Process Modelling for Business Analysts

(677)

Become a BPMN 2.0 Expert in 1 day. With this practical hands-on course you will learn proper Business Process Modelling...

12. Business Continuity Management & ISO 22301 - Complete Guide

4.6

(371)

Learn Business Continuity Management from Organizational Resilience, Risk Management & Business Management perspectives!...

13. Process Improvement

4.6

(1,844)

#1 Process Improvement course: The step by step guide on how to deliver effective and lasting process improvements...

14. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Beginner's Guide

4.6

(12,857)

Use business analysis to model process flows with real-world examples & project-based hands-on activities -IIBA Endorsed...

15. Business Analyst: Project Management Techniques and Tools

4.5

(4,412)

Learn project management techniques to increase your project success rate as a Business Analyst!...

16. Business Analyst: Software Testing Processes & Techniques

4.5

(9,172)

Reduce project bugs with repeatable testing processes. Learn to create test cases, scenarios, track defects, & more!...

17. Business Continuity Management BCMS & ISO 22301 Masterclass

4.5

(749)

How to plan and prepare for unforeseen business disruption events through an effective, dynamic Business Continuity Plan...

18. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Advanced Guide

4.7

(3,077)

Enhance your process flowchart knowledge advanced symbols, concepts, and best practices! - ECBA/CCBA/CBAP endorsed...

19. Informed Risk Taking: Risk Management Process - Analysis

4.5

(1,247)

Risk Management Strategies : Risk Analysis Techniques : Risk Management Principles : Risk Management Process : Methods...

20. The Business of Logistics in Supply Chain Management

4.3

(651)

Kick start your Career as a Logistics Manager or a Supply Chain Manager...

Top 10 most affordable universities for business process managers

The most affordable schools for business process managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and florida state university.

If the best universities for business process managers 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 business process managers.

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. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

10. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for business process managers

The hardest universities for business process managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for business process managers 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 business process managers 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

9. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,380

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for business process managers

The easiest schools for business process managers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a business process manager 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 business process managers.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average business process manager salary by education level

Business process managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $127,809 annually. With a Doctorate degree, business process managers earn a median annual income of $123,991 compared to $113,309 for business process managers with an Bachelor's degree.

Business process manager education level	Business process manager salary
Master's Degree	$127,809
High School Diploma or Less	$96,136
Bachelor's Degree	$113,309
Doctorate Degree	$123,991
Some College/ Associate Degree	$98,521

Business process manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Business Process Managers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.

Search for business process manager jobs

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

Browse executive management jobs