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Certified professional controller education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a certified professional controller. Certified professional controllers usually study business, accounting, or finance. 63% of certified professional controllers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 196 real certified professional controller resumes to see exactly what certified professional controller education sections show.
The most common colleges for certified professional controllers are the University of Houston and the University of Houston.
There are also many online certified professional controller courses to help get the education required to be a certified professional controller.
What education do you need to become a certified professional controller?
What degree do you need to be a certified professional controller?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a certified professional controller?
- Business, 26%
- Accounting, 14%
- Finance, 6%
- Chemistry, 5%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for certified professional controllers
| Certified professional controller common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Houston | 7.41% |
| American University | 7.41% |
| Brigham Young University | 7.41% |
| Colorado State University | 7.41% |
| Temple University | 7.41% |
Best majors for certified professional controllers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 25.9% |
| 2 | Accounting | 13.6% |
| 3 | Finance | 6.2% |
| 4 | Chemistry | 4.9% |
| 5 | Aviation | 4.9% |
Best colleges for certified professional controllers
The best colleges for certified professional controllers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
A certified professional controller with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for certified professional controllers. 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 certified professional controllers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$45,542
Enrollment
14,159
6. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$11,822
Enrollment
1,834
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,105
Enrollment
13,729
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
10. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
20 best online courses for certified professional controllers
Advertising disclosure
1. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
2. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
3. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
4. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
5. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
6. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
7. Proper Segregation of Duties for Internal Control
This course examines and discusses key roles and tasks that should be evaluated for proper segregation of duties...
8. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
9. SAP Controlling
SAP Controlling...
10. Certified Minitab Proficient: SPC Control Chart (Accredited)
Certified Minitab Proficient (Accredited) SPC Control Charts on Minitab Minitab Proficient Certification Earn PDUs...
11. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK
Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...
12. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
13. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21
This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...
14. SAP Finance and Controlling
Master SAP Finance and Controlling...
15. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)
This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...
16. Git Github Gitkraken: Version Control without Command Line
Learn Version Control using one of the most intuitive graphical user interface for Git. Just Point and Click...
17. An Introduction to the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus
Learn the fundamentals of the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus using both a theoretical and practical approach...
18. Model a Car and Design a PID Controller in MATLAB/SIMULINK
Model and simulate an electric car (Tesla Model S) in MATLAB & SIMULINK and design your own PID speed controller...
19. OWASP Proactive Controls
OWASP Proactive Controls...
20. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control
this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...
Top 10 most affordable universities for certified professional controllers
The most affordable schools for certified professional controllers are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for certified professional controllers 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 certified professional controllers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. York College of the City University of New York
Jamaica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,158
Cost of attendance
14,204
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for certified professional controllers
The hardest universities for certified professional controllers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
Some great schools for certified professional controllers 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 certified professional controllers 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
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for certified professional controllers
The easiest schools for certified professional controllers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a certified professional controller 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 certified professional controllers.
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. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
9. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
Average certified professional controller salary by education level
| Certified professional controller education level | Certified professional controller salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $78,960 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $97,682 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $93,736 |
Certified professional controller education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025