Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Convention planner education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a convention planner. Convention planners usually study marketing, business, or hospitality management. 72% of convention planners hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 83 real convention planner resumes to see exactly what convention planner education sections show.
The most common colleges for convention planners are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online convention planner courses to help get the education required to be a convention planner.
What education do you need to become a convention planner?
What degree do you need to be a convention planner?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 12%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a convention planner?
- Marketing, 16%
- Business, 16%
- Communication, 8%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for convention planners
| Convention planner common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 8.70% |
| University of Central Florida | 8.70% |
| National Louis University | 8.70% |
| Missouri State University | 4.35% |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 4.35% |
Best majors for convention planners
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marketing | 15.8% |
| 2 | Business | 15.8% |
| 3 | Hospitality Management | 7.9% |
| 4 | Communication | 7.9% |
| 5 | Health Care Administration | 5.3% |
Best colleges for convention planners
The best colleges for convention planners are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Boston University.
A convention planner with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for convention planners. 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 convention planners.
1. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
4. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, NE • Private
In-state tuition
$9,242
Enrollment
20,592
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
9. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
10. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
20 best online courses for convention planners
Advertising disclosure
1. Learning SAS: Data Types, Naming Conventions, and Resources
By the end of this project, you will evaluate data types, apply naming conventions and integrate external resources in your SAS programs...
2. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management
Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...
3. Learn how to become an Event Planner
Join one of the most lucrative, and fastest growing industries... Learn how to become an Event Planner...
4. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management
Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...
5. How to Throw Events and Attract Corporate Sponsors
48 Industry Secrets that Make You More Money and Get More People to Your Events...
6. Microsoft 365 Planner - Beginner
Learn how to work more efficiently with your teams with Microsoft 365 Planner...
7. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
8. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
9. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
10. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service
Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...
11. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
12. Leading Effective Meetings - You Can Lead Effective Meetings
Learn How to Plan Effective Meetings, Run Effective Meetings and Generate Results After Your Meetings...
13. Selling Sponsorships for Meetings, Events & Nonprofits
Learn from a 20-year sponsorship expert how to build & sell a campaign that attracts sponsors & maximizes your revenue!...
14. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
15. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
16. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
17. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)
For you and your team to be successful in providing great customer service, start by putting your customer first...
18. Customer Success How to Actively Engage Your Customers
Deliver an Exceptional Experience...
19. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service
Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...
20. Outstanding Customer Service - The Ultimate Guide!
Unlocking the Powerful Secrets of OUTSTANDING Customer Service - Transform Your Business!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for convention planners
The most affordable schools for convention planners are USF Sarasota-Manatee, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for convention planners 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 convention planners.
1. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for convention planners
The hardest universities for convention planners to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Boston University.
Some great schools for convention planners 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 convention planners 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
6. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for convention planners
The easiest schools for convention planners to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a convention planner 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 convention planners.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
5. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
Average convention planner salary by education level
| Convention planner education level | Convention planner salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $47,475 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $43,249 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,441 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,058 |
Convention planner education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.
Search for convention planner jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025