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Controls manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a controls manager. Controls managers usually study business, accounting, or finance. 63% of controls managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 4,351 real controls manager resumes to see exactly what controls manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for controls managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online controls manager courses to help get the education required to be a controls manager.
There are certain controls manager certifications that you should consider. These controls manager certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Manager Certification (CM).
What education do you need to become a controls manager?
What degree do you need to be a controls manager?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Associate, 15%
- Master's, 13%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a controls manager?
- Business, 33%
- Accounting, 19%
- Finance, 7%
- Management, 5%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for controls managers
| Controls manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 21.67% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.81% |
| Pace University | 5.57% |
| Northeastern University | 5.26% |
| DeVry University | 4.95% |
Best majors for controls managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 32.7% |
| 2 | Accounting | 18.8% |
| 3 | Finance | 6.9% |
| 4 | Management | 5.0% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 4.5% |
Best colleges for controls managers
The best colleges for controls managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
A controls manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for controls managers. 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 controls managers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
6. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for controls managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)
This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...
2. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
3. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
4. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
5. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
6. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination
IT Compliance Training...
7. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM
Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...
8. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)
Schedule Management: Monitor & Control Schedule, Analyze Schedule, Solve Project Schedule Problems Earn CPDs & PDUs...
9. Proper Segregation of Duties for Internal Control
This course examines and discusses key roles and tasks that should be evaluated for proper segregation of duties...
10. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.
Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...
11. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management
Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, Internal Controls, CIA, Audit Report, Audit Charter, IIA...
12. Audit - Financial Statement
Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...
13. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
14. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
15. Operational Risks Management ORM
Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...
16. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
17. Master Course in Project Management 2.0
Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...
18. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit
Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...
19. Project Risk Management
Practice of identifying , analyzing, prioritizing and mitigating risks...
20. Supply Chain Management A-Z: Operations & Logistics Basics
Supply Chain Management Basics: An MBA style course to boost your career as a business operations & logistics manager...
Top 10 most affordable universities for controls managers
The most affordable schools for controls managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and florida state university.
If the best universities for controls managers 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 controls managers.
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
10. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for controls managers
The hardest universities for controls managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for controls managers 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 controls managers 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 Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,380
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for controls managers
The easiest schools for controls managers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a controls manager 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 controls managers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
Average controls manager salary by education level
| Controls manager education level | Controls manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $123,922 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $93,282 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $109,898 |
| Doctorate Degree | $120,230 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $95,591 |
Controls manager 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