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Director of business operations education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a director of business operations. Directors of business operations usually study business, accounting, or finance. 70% of directors of business operations hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,450 real director of business operations resumes to see exactly what director of business operations education sections show.
The most common colleges for directors of business operations are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online director of business operations courses to help get the education required to be a director of business operations.
There are certain director of business operations certifications that you should consider. These director of business operations certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Green Belt.
What education do you need to become a director of business operations?
What degree do you need to be a director of business operations?
- Bachelor's, 70%
- Master's, 20%
- Associate, 7%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a director of business operations?
- Business, 38%
- Accounting, 10%
- Finance, 9%
- Management, 6%
- Other Majors, 37%
Most common colleges for directors of business operations
| Director of business operations common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.76% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.87% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.36% |
| New York University | 5.60% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 5.60% |
Best majors for directors of business operations
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 38.2% |
| 2 | Accounting | 10.4% |
| 3 | Finance | 8.8% |
| 4 | Management | 5.7% |
| 5 | Marketing | 4.9% |
Best colleges for directors of business operations
The best colleges for directors of business operations are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
A director of business operations with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of business operations. 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 directors of business operations.
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. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
9. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
10. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
20 best online courses for directors of business operations
Advertising disclosure
1. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
2. Operations Management in small businesses: key techniques
A toolkit for making small business operations effective and efficient...
3. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
4. Human Resources (HR) as a Business Partner
This course provides valuable information on how Human Resource Business Partnering (HRBP) operates in practice...
5. Business Process Mapping
The complete guide to map any business process...
6. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
7. Lean BPM - Lean Business Process Management Change Skills
Lean BPM - learn how to use lean business management techniques to reduce waste and improve your business efficiency...
8. Introduction to Business Process Modeling
Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...
9. Production for Management Consultants and Business Analysts
Practical guide on how to improve production and operations in a firm and analyze potential savings in Excel...
10. Retail for Business Analysts and Management Consultants
A practical guide with cases studies how to analyze and improve a retail business during management consulting projects...
11. Building a Digital Business Strategy
Learn to develop and align digital business strategies for products, marketing and operations...
12. MBA -The Business fundamentals + 30 hrs of business concepts
+ 30 hrs , This MBA course is designed to enhance your Business knowledge & learn the foundation concepts of businesses...
13. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class
12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...
14. How To Write A Business Plan And A Winning Business Model
Business plan template & business plan examples: Create a top business model & business plan for your business ideas...
15. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development
Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...
16. FMCG for Management Consultants and Business Analysts
A practical guide on how to analyze in Excel and improve consumer goods business during consulting projects...
17. HR as a Strategic Business Partner
Better understand your value and role as a strategic business partner...
18. How to become world class Business Analyst - Cases in Excel
A practical guide on how to do business analysis in Excel especially of sales and operations...
19. Strategy for Management Consultants & Business Analysts
Top advices from consulting practice with examples and case studies...
20. Business Continuity Management BCMS & ISO 22301 Masterclass
How to plan and prepare for unforeseen business disruption events through an effective, dynamic Business Continuity Plan...
Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of business operations
The most affordable schools for directors of business operations are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and florida state university.
If the best universities for directors of business operations 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 directors of business operations.
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 directors of business operations
The hardest universities for directors of business operations to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for directors of business operations 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 directors of business operations 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. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of business operations
The easiest schools for directors of business operations 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 director of business operations 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 directors of business operations.
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. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
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. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
Average director of business operations salary by education level
| Director of business operations education level | Director of business operations salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $150,758 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $100,312 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $126,901 |
| Doctorate Degree | $144,357 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $103,892 |
Director of business operations education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025