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Class instructor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a class instructor. Class instructors usually study business, kinesiology, or psychology. 61% of class instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,572 real class instructor resumes to see exactly what class instructor education sections show.

The most common colleges for class instructors are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online class instructor courses to help get the education required to be a class instructor.

There are certain class instructor certifications that you should consider. These class instructor certifications include Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

What education do you need to become a class instructor?

What degree do you need to be a class instructor?

The most common degree for class instructors is bachelor's degree, with 61% of class instructors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 61%
  • Master's, 14%
  • Associate, 13%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a class instructor?

You should major in business to become a class instructor. 12% of class instructors major in business. Other common majors for a class instructor include kinesiology and psychology.

Most common colleges for class instructors

Class instructors often get their degrees at New York University, Brigham Young University, and University of Houston. Here are the most common colleges for class instructors in the US based on their resumes.
Class instructor common collegePercentages
New York University7.88%
Brigham Young University6.06%
University of Houston6.06%
Colorado State University6.06%
Pennsylvania State University5.45%

Best majors for class instructors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business12.1%
2Kinesiology11.3%
3Psychology9.8%
4Nursing6.9%
5Education5.7%

Best colleges for class instructors

The best colleges for class instructors are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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

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. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

4. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

8. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

9. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for class instructors

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1. Java Class Library

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Java Class Library is the fourth and final course in the Core Java Specialization. The Core Java Specialization is part of a series of programming specializations, derived from LearnQuest's private Java Bootcamps, designed to provide the skill set necessary to be hired as an IT developer using Java in many corporate environments. After completing this course, you will be able to write reusable code that remains type-safe using Java Generics, work with collections of objects, work with files,...

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This course is the third course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C++ programming language and the Unreal game engine on Windows or Mac. This course assumes you have the prerequisite knowledge from the previous two courses in the specialization. You should make sure you have that knowledge, either by taking those previous courses or from personal experience, before tackling this course. Throughout this course you'll continue building your foundational C++...

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18. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom

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Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...

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20. UML Class Diagrams for Programmers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for class instructors

The most affordable schools for class instructors are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.

If the best universities for class instructors 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 class instructors.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for class instructors

The hardest universities for class instructors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Some great schools for class instructors 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 class instructors 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

4. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

26%

SAT average

1,427

8. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for class instructors

The easiest schools for class instructors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a class instructor 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 class instructors.

1. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

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 class instructor salary by education level

According to our data, class instructors with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $40,579 annually. Class instructors with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $39,445.
Class instructor education levelClass instructor salary
Master's Degree$40,579
High School Diploma or Less$35,512
Bachelor's Degree$39,445
Some College/ Associate Degree$36,624

Class instructor 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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