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Competitive shopper education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a competitive shopper. Competitive shoppers usually study business, criminal justice, or management. 72% of competitive shoppers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 37 real competitive shopper resumes to see exactly what competitive shopper education sections show.
The most common colleges for competitive shoppers are the Western Washington University and the Western Washington University.
There are also many online competitive shopper courses to help get the education required to be a competitive shopper.
What education do you need to become a competitive shopper?
What degree do you need to be a competitive shopper?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Associate, 11%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Master's, 6%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a competitive shopper?
- Business, 15%
- Criminal Justice, 12%
- Management, 8%
- Social Work, 8%
- Other Majors, 57%
Most common colleges for competitive shoppers
| Competitive shopper common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Western Washington University | 8.33% |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | 8.33% |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 8.33% |
| California State University - Fullerton | 8.33% |
| Asbury University | 8.33% |
Best majors for competitive shoppers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 15.4% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 11.5% |
| 3 | Management | 7.7% |
| 4 | Social Work | 7.7% |
| 5 | Marketing | 7.7% |
Best colleges for competitive shoppers
The best colleges for competitive shoppers are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A competitive shopper with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for competitive shoppers. 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 competitive shoppers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$45,542
Enrollment
14,159
3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
4. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
5. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Delhi, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,360
Enrollment
3,142
6. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,105
Enrollment
13,729
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
10. University of Akron
Akron, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,463
Enrollment
13,676
20 best online courses for competitive shoppers
Advertising disclosure
1. Competitive Strategy
“Why do some companies outperform others?” That question is particularly important to ask in industries which are fiercely competitive like the tech sector. Companies competing in these industries find it difficult to achieve competitive advantage and sustain it over the longer run. In this course, you will learn about 21st century competition, the forces driving it, and the challenges it poses for companies. Using that as the backdrop, you will learn how to analyze a company's external and...
2. Market and Competition in Pricing Strategy
If you haven’t considered what the competition is charging, you may not be maximizing your revenue. Spend time analyzing the market and you can influence price and improve margins. In this course, we'll show you how to implement competitive pricing and avoid common legal pitfalls of market-based pricing. You will also learn how to predict, influence and respond to competitors’ pricing moves. Developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and led by top-ranked Darden...
3. Graph Theory Algorithms for Competitive Programming (2022)
Learn Graphs Algorithms in Computer Science & Mathematics, theory + hands-on coding and ace Competitive Coding problems!...
4. Competitive Programming Essentials, Master Algorithms 2023
Master competitive coding techniques - maths, number theory, dynamic programming, advanced data structures & algorithms...
5. Strategising: Management for Global Competitive Advantage
Leaders must have the ability to develop and deploy effective strategies. This specialisation will prepare you to be the strategic change-maker capable of enabling your organisation to compete into the future. You will learn: how to think strategically to make your organisation more competitive (Be Competitive); how crucial it now is for supply chains to effectively meet customer demands (Be Global); how to leverage technology and innovation to disrupt and reshape your organisation (Be...
6. Strategic Analysis with Financial Competitive Profile Matrix
By the end of this guided project, you will be able to use the Financial Competitive Profile Matrix (FCPM) to analyze your industry and identify your competitive advantage with key financial indicators. FCPM is a strategic management tool that enables you to benchmark your company in relation to competition and then identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of all the competitors based on some Financial Critical Success Factors (FCSFs) analysis. The FCSFs are assigned weight based on their...
7. The Bible of Competitive Programming & Coding Interviews
Build the foundation in Algorithms and Data Structures to ace Competitive Programming & Coding Interviews...
8. Beginner's guide to Competitive programming using python
Ace coding interviews by learning how to code in a simple and efficient way...
9. Competitive Strategy and Organization Design
Paired with humorous elements and illustrating examples, the Competitive Strategy and Organization Design specialization is the ideal choice for curious individuals who enjoy unique learning experiences and innovative teaching approaches. Its style is likely to appeal especially to young, middle-aged and young-at-heart learners.\n\nThe specialization is indended for learners interested in engaging in fundamental theories and concepts of strategy and organization and applying these to practice...
10. Using Porter’s Five Forces Model for Competitive Analysis
By the end of this guided project, you will be able to use the Porter’s Five Force model to determine the attractiveness and profitability potentials of your industry. The Five Forces is a model that was drawn from industrial organization economics to identify and describe the fundamental economic forces that shape every industry. The five forces are competition in the industry, potential of new entrants, power of suppliers, power of customers, and threat of substitute products. These forces...
11. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
12. Algorithms for Job Interviews and Competitive Programming
Quickly understand the most important Algorithms and learn how to use them to solve real Programming Problems...
13. Digital Competition in Financial Services
Welcome to Digital Transformation Strategy! As you probably know, this is the first course in a three part specialization focused on the digital transformation of finance. We'll aim to bring you insights about how digitalization intersects with finance, culled from one of the world's top regions for digital innovation. I'm excited to have you in the class and look forward to helping you learn more about this important topic. To begin, I recommend taking a few minutes to explore the course site...
14. Creating a Differential Competitive Advantage -Jagdish Sheth
This is a master class in gaining a competitive marketing advantage.\n\nProfessor Jagdish Sheth, 2020 Padma Bhushan Award winner for Literature and Education, guides you through proven strategies and practical steps for implementing technology, segmentation, differentiation, and positioning into your marketing plan.\n\nProfessor Sheth shares wisdom and insight from decades of experience, years of research, and recommendations from multiple senior industry leaders to help grow your brand and set...
15. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
16. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!
Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...
17. The Complete B2B Sales Masterclass: 6 Courses in 1
1. Generate Leads, 2. Pitch, 3. Close & Handle Any Objection: Get Certified in Cutting Edge, Non-Pushy B2B Sales System...
18. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control
Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...
19. Sales Skills: 9 Sales Training Courses In 1
Develop Extraordinary Sales Skills With The Ultimate Sales Training (Taught By 5 Top Sales Experts)...
20. Master the Shopper Experience to build your retail business.
Grow your retail business by mastering the 3 key steps that build a great shopper experience to delight your customers...
Top 10 most affordable universities for competitive shoppers
The most affordable schools for competitive shoppers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and fashion institute of technology.
If the best universities for competitive shoppers 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 competitive shoppers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for competitive shoppers
The hardest universities for competitive shoppers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for competitive shoppers 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 competitive shoppers 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Fordham University
Bronx, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,354
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for competitive shoppers
The easiest schools for competitive shoppers to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and lim college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a competitive shopper 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 competitive shoppers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
8. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
9. Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,102
10. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
Average competitive shopper salary by education level
| Competitive shopper education level | Competitive shopper salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,932 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $40,893 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,770 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $42,550 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025