Collection Agent Education Requirements And Courses

Collection agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, collection agents don't need a college education. The most common degree for collection agents is high school diploma with 34% graduates, with only 28% collection agent graduates earning bachelor's degree. Collection agents who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or DeVry University. Some good skills to have in this position include customer service, payment arrangements and delinquent accounts.

Popular collection agent certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM), or International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA). To improve collection agent qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in collection agent education paths.

What education do you need to become a collection agent?

What degree do you need to be a collection agent?

The most common degree for collection agents is high school diploma, with 34% of collection agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 28% and bachelor's degree degree at 22%.

High School Diploma, 34%

Bachelor's, 28%

Associate, 22%

Diploma, 7%

Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a collection agent?

You should major in business to become a collection agent. 30% of collection agents major in business. Other common majors for a collection agent include criminal justice and general studies.

Business, 30%

Criminal Justice, 8%

General Studies, 8%

Accounting, 7%

Other Majors, 47%

Best majors for collection agents

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	30.0%
2	Criminal Justice	8.1%
3	General Studies	7.6%
4	Accounting	7.2%
5	Communication	5.5%

Show more common collection agent majors

20 best online courses for collection agents

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1. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

4.6

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Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

2. Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training

4.6

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Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!...

3. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course

4.3

(736)

Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...

4. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction

4.5

(781)

Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...

5. Accounting basics, create financial statements easily

4.5

(280)

Discover, develop, practice your financial information and explore the world of accounting...

6. Financial Accounting: The Complete Introductory Crash Course

4.5

(1,604)

Learn the Basics of Financial Accounting: Financial Statements, Debits and Credits, The Accounting Cycle and More!...

7. Principles of Financial Accounting

4.5

(875)

Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...

8. Accounting Made Easy: A Quick Guide to Financial Accounting

4.5

(2,757)

Accounting is not about Math, it is about concepts. And no one said it has to be hard. Learn the basics in just 2 hours!...

9. Introductory Financial Accounting

4.7

(666)

Learn the basics of Accounting including: the accounting cycle, inventory, depreciation, receivables, and more!...

10. Accounting, Bookkeeping & Financial Analysis (Accounting)

4.5

(521)

Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics. Accounting & Financial Analysis Concepts. Learn Accounting & Bookkeeping...

11. ACCA: FA (F3) Financial Accounting

4.5

(1,302)

Let's get to grasps of how to perform the basics of financial accounting...

12. Accounting for Corporations - Financial Accounting

4.8

(281)

Demystifying Corporate Accounting: An In-depth Exploration of Financial Transactions in Corporations...

13. Advanced Financial Accounting: Acquisitions & Consolidations

4.1

(703)

Acquisitions, Consolidations, and Reporting. Master complex concepts and applications...

14. Financial Bookkeeping and Accountancy: Complete Accounting

4.3

(501)

A Complete Course on Book-keeping & Accounting Course For Level 1 & 2 aspirants...

15. Financial Accounting - Closing Process

4.3

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Conquering the Closing Process: A Thorough Exploration of the Final Step in Accounting...

16. Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass - Beginner to Advanced

4.5

(4,371)

Accounting, Bookkeeping Introduction, Accounting, Bookkeeping Entries, Accounting, Bookkeeping Adjustments & Reports...

17. Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book

4.5

(3,466)

Unlock Financial Accounting Mastery: Comprehensive Course for Students, Professionals, and Business Owners...

18. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets

4.5

(341)

Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...

19. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

4.5

(580)

Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

20. Partnership Accounting - Financial Accounting

4.7

(272)

Unlocking the Power of Partnership Accounting: Strategies for Effective Management and Financial Decision Making...

Average collection agent salary by education level

Collection agents with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $36,562 annually. With a Associate degree, collection agents earn a median annual income of $33,309 compared to $33,287 for collection agents with an High School Diploma degree.

Collection agent education level	Collection agent salary
High School Diploma or Less	$33,287
Bachelor's Degree	$36,562
Some College/ Associate Degree	$33,309