Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Community aide education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a community aide. Community aides usually study psychology, criminal justice, or business. 55% of community aides hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,027 real community aide resumes to see exactly what community aide education sections show.
The most common colleges for community aides are the Grand Valley State University and the Grand Valley State University.
There are also many online community aide courses to help get the education required to be a community aide.
There are certain community aide certifications that you should consider. These community aide certifications include Advanced First Aid & CPR and First Aid Certification.
What education do you need to become a community aide?
What degree do you need to be a community aide?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Associate, 20%
- High School Diploma, 10%
- Master's, 8%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a community aide?
- Psychology, 19%
- Criminal Justice, 12%
- Business, 10%
- Human Services, 8%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for community aides
| Community aide common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University | 13.79% |
| University of Phoenix | 8.62% |
| Metropolitan State University | 7.76% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 6.90% |
| Florida State University | 5.17% |
Best majors for community aides
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 18.8% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 12.3% |
| 3 | Business | 9.8% |
| 4 | Human Services | 8.0% |
| 5 | Social Work | 6.9% |
Best colleges for community aides
The best colleges for community aides are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.
A community aide with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for community aides. 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 community aides.
1. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
2. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
20 best online courses for community aides
Advertising disclosure
1. Community Awareness Course: Sexuality and Disability
This community awareness course from the University of Minnesota Program on Human Sexuality will provide you with a solid introduction to human sexuality for those living with disabilities. Often there are assumptions that the disabled or differently abled people are not sexual, do not have sexual needs, or cannot be involved sexually. In this professionally produced one-hour course, you'll learn about the basics of disabilities and human sexuality. We'll then learn about three different...
2. Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a high risk for senior housing communities and the people who live and work there. The COVID-19 response has largely focused on nursing homes, leaving independent living communities serving older adults in the United States with fragmented guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 challenges. This course provides comprehensive instruction and resources for property owners and managers, senior housing staff, service coordinators and providers,...
3. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course
Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...
4. Winning Communication Skills for Telephone, Conference Calls
Improve Communication Skills - Use the Telephone Effectively! Avoid Phone Etiquette Blunders that Annoy...
5. Communication Skills for Engineers
Build a toolkit of communication skills that will give you the knowledge and confidence to be an effective engineering leader.\n\nEngineers who want to advance in their profession need to be effective communicators. They need to clearly communicate complex ideas and technical project plans. They also need to be strong persuaders. Engineers who are good communicators get recognized by their supervisors and by their clients.\n\nIn this three-course Specialization, you will practice designing and...
6. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
7. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
8. Effective Communication Skills: Be a Better Communicator!
NEW UPGRADED COURSE: Learn proven, effective communication skills, how to question, listen actively & overcome problems...
9. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
10. Effective Communication in the Workplace
Business Communication Training...
11. Winning With Communication - Master Communication Skills
Communication Training Course - Develop True Communication Mastery!...
12. Versatile Communication Skills - The Art of Engagement
Powerful, practical, communication skills that drive engagement & build effective professional & personal relationships...
13. Basic Communication Skills
Learn how to be an effective communicator...
14. Communication Skills for Beginners
Start Building Your Communication Skills Now...
15. Assertive Communication Skills Masterclass
Assertive Communication Skills for Business & Social Life. Speak Confidently. Set Boundaries. Difficult conversations...
16. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
17. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid
Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...
18. Communication Skills PLUS Leadership - 2 in 1 Masterclass
Learn Communication & Leadership Skills For Inspiration, Success In Life, Work PLUS Interviews, Case Studies, Activities...
19. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
20. Authentic Assertiveness: Next level communication skills.
Increase your social skills and assertive communication, while you reduce your stress, fears, and other mental blocks...
Top 10 most affordable universities for community aides
The most affordable schools for community aides are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.
If the best universities for community aides 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 community aides.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
7. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for community aides
The hardest universities for community aides to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for community aides 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 community aides 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
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. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for community aides
The easiest schools for community aides to get into are Bluefield College, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a community aide 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 community aides.
1. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
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. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
8. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
Average community aide salary by education level
| Community aide education level | Community aide salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $27,207 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $23,010 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $25,338 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $23,131 |
Community aide education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for community aide jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025