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Chief controller education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chief controller. Chief controllers usually study business, aviation, or management. 56% of chief controllers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 938 real chief controller resumes to see exactly what chief controller education sections show.
The most common colleges for chief controllers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online chief controller courses to help get the education required to be a chief controller.
What education do you need to become a chief controller?
What degree do you need to be a chief controller?
- Bachelor's, 56%
- Associate, 21%
- Master's, 12%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a chief controller?
- Business, 24%
- Aviation, 11%
- Management, 8%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for chief controllers
| Chief controller common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.32% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 8.49% |
| Excelsior College | 7.55% |
| American University | 7.55% |
| Ashford University | 6.60% |
Best majors for chief controllers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 24.0% |
| 2 | Aviation | 10.8% |
| 3 | Management | 8.1% |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineering | 7.5% |
| 5 | Accounting | 6.0% |
Best colleges for chief controllers
The best colleges for chief controllers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A chief 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 chief 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 chief controllers.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for chief controllers
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1. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
2. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
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3. Maintenance Planning Basics
Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...
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Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
5. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
6. Maintenance Management Basics
Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...
7. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
8. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
9. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
10. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
11. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
12. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
13. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
14. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
15. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance
A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...
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. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
18. 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...
19. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
20. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
Top 10 most affordable universities for chief controllers
The most affordable schools for chief controllers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for chief 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 chief controllers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chief controllers
The hardest universities for chief controllers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for chief 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 chief 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
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. 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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
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. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chief controllers
The easiest schools for chief 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 chief 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 chief 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. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average chief controller salary by education level
| Chief controller education level | Chief controller salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $146,807 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $92,935 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $123,014 |
| Doctorate Degree | $156,635 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $92,919 |
Chief controller education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025