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Cardiac rehabilitation program director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cardiac rehabilitation program director. Cardiac rehabilitation program directors usually study kinesiology, nursing, or medical technician. 45% of cardiac rehabilitation program directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 41% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 22 real cardiac rehabilitation program director resumes to see exactly what cardiac rehabilitation program director education sections show.

The most common colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors are the Winona State University and the Winona State University.

There are also many online cardiac rehabilitation program director courses to help get the education required to be a cardiac rehabilitation program director.

What education do you need to become a cardiac rehabilitation program director?

What degree do you need to be a cardiac rehabilitation program director?

The most common degree for cardiac rehabilitation program directors is bachelor's degree, with 45% of cardiac rehabilitation program directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 41% and master's degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 45%
  • Master's, 41%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a cardiac rehabilitation program director?

You should major in kinesiology to become a cardiac rehabilitation program director. 35% of cardiac rehabilitation program directors major in kinesiology. Other common majors for a cardiac rehabilitation program director include nursing and medical technician.

Most common colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

Cardiac rehabilitation program directors often get their degrees at Winona State University, San Diego State University, and Boston College. Here are the most common colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors in the US based on their resumes.
Cardiac rehabilitation program director common collegePercentages
Winona State University11.11%
San Diego State University11.11%
Boston College5.56%
University of Pennsylvania5.56%
Ball State University5.56%

Best majors for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Kinesiology34.8%
2Nursing30.4%
3Medical Technician13.0%
4Health Education8.7%
5Social Work4.3%

Best colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

The best colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A cardiac rehabilitation program director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cardiac rehabilitation program directors. 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 cardiac rehabilitation program directors.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

4. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

20 best online courses for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

The most affordable schools for cardiac rehabilitation program directors are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for cardiac rehabilitation program directors 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 cardiac rehabilitation program directors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

The hardest universities for cardiac rehabilitation program directors to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for cardiac rehabilitation program directors 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 cardiac rehabilitation program directors 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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cardiac rehabilitation program directors

The easiest schools for cardiac rehabilitation program directors to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cardiac rehabilitation program director 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 cardiac rehabilitation program directors.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average cardiac rehabilitation program director salary by education level

Cardiac rehabilitation program directors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $63,696 annually. With a Master's degree, cardiac rehabilitation program directors earn a median annual income of $58,311 compared to $50,172 for cardiac rehabilitation program directors with an Bachelor's degree.
Cardiac rehabilitation program director education levelCardiac rehabilitation program director salary
Master's Degree$58,311
Bachelor's Degree$50,172
Doctorate Degree$63,696

Cardiac rehabilitation program director 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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