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Economic development coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an economic development coordinator. Economic development coordinators usually study business, political science, or economics. 71% of economic development coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 329 real economic development coordinator resumes to see exactly what economic development coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for economic development coordinators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online economic development coordinator courses to help get the education required to be an economic development coordinator.

What education do you need to become an economic development coordinator?

What degree do you need to be an economic development coordinator?

The most common degree for economic development coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 71% of economic development coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Associate, 6%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an economic development coordinator?

You should major in business to become an economic development coordinator. 25% of economic development coordinators major in business. Other common majors for an economic development coordinator include political science and economics.

Most common colleges for economic development coordinators

Economic development coordinators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Northern Illinois University, and Arizona State University. Here are the most common colleges for economic development coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Economic development coordinator common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix9.84%
Northern Illinois University9.84%
Arizona State University8.20%
Miami University4.92%
Texas State University4.92%

Best majors for economic development coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Business24.6%
2Political Science12.3%
3Economics8.4%
4Communication6.4%
5Public Administration4.9%

Best colleges for economic development coordinators

The best colleges for economic development coordinators are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

An economic development coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for economic development coordinators. 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 economic development coordinators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for economic development coordinators

Advertising disclosure

1. Managerial Economics and Business Analysis

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In the exceedingly fast-paced business world, growing business demands a clear grasp of how a firm obtains a competitive advantage in its operations, how the business cycle and monetary policies impact the firm’s ability to maximize shareholders’ wealth, and how to obtain and efficiently use data to develop actionable business strategies. The Managerial Economics and Business Analytics Specialization is targeted towards aspiring managers, senior managers, and business executives who wish to...

2. Introduction to Economic Theories

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Wondering why economists have not predicted serious financial crises? Shocked by economic assumptions of human behavior as self-centered and focusing only on what can be measured? Asking yourself if there are no sensible economic alternatives to free markets? Then you are at the right place to learn economics! This is the first online course that teaches economics from a pluralist perspective. Economic pluralism means that a plurality of theoretical and methodological viewpoints is regarded as...

3. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation

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Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...

4. Econ 101: The Complete Intro to Economics For Beginners

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Economics 101: Economics Made Easy For You! Become an Economics Pro With This Course...

5. China’s Economic Transformation Part 1: Economic Reform and Growth in China

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In 1978, after nearly 30 years of socialist planning under Mao Zedong, China was one of the world’s poorest countries, saddled with an inefficient, inward-looking economy. Today, China is an upper-middle income country and the world’s largest trading nation, contributing more to global economic growth than any other nation. How could such a remarkable transformation take place? This course will examine in detail the reforms that have contributed to China’s economic development and the current...

6. Earth Economics

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After this course you will be an Earth Economist that can provide evidence-based advise on the best global policy. As an Earth Economist you will better understand the behavior and advice of economists, have become a better economist yourself and know where to find Earth's data and how to analyze these world observations. Our planet is too important: we need you to get engaged! Earth Economics offers a completely new angle to policy analysis by its focus on the truly global level and its...

7. Economics: Market Forces of Demand, Supply and Equilibrium

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Economics: Analyzing Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium with real life case studies...

8. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development

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Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...

9. Business English: Finance and Economics

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Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options. After taking this course, you will be able to read and create efficient e-mails, reports, and impactful presentations with words and phrases...

10. The Economics of AI

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The course introduces you to cutting-edge research in the economics of AI and the implications for economic growth and labor markets. We start by analyzing the nature of intelligence and information theory. Then we connect our analysis to modeling production and technological change in economics, and how these processes are affected by AI. Next we turn to how technological change drives aggregate economic growth, covering a range of scenarios including a potential growth singularity. We also...

11. Business Development For Startups and Tech Companies

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Unlock massive growth using the business development channel. Learn pitching, BD strategy, cold emailing, & deal closing...

12. (Oxford) Master Diploma: Economics (Includes Macro/Micro)

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NINETY HOURS : Micro/Macro/Global/Business/Behavioural Economics...

13. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development

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The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...

14. Economics Decoded: 10 Essential Principles Shaping Our World

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Master the application of 10 core economics principles to make informed decisions in both professional and personal life...

15. The Ultimate Guide to Startup Business Development

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Learn and master the function of business development in this practical, actionable, and content-rich training course...

16. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases

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Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...

17. (Oxford) Joint Diploma: Microeconomics and Business

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Micro economics (Oxford Diploma) — Accredited; basic upwards (includes Business Microeconomics)...

18. The economic model of emerging countries - Michael Spence

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Understanding Economics. Learn how the world works and why it is the way it it...

19. Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley

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The Complete Startup Playbook for Business Development & B2B Sales to learn Lead Generation, Pitching, & Closing Deals...

20. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

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The Ultimate Sales Methodology for Business Development & B2B Sales to Learn Sales Strategy, Sales Skills & Deal Closing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for economic development coordinators

The most affordable schools for economic development coordinators are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for economic development coordinators 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 economic development coordinators.

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. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

9. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for economic development coordinators

The hardest universities for economic development coordinators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for economic development coordinators 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 economic development coordinators 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for economic development coordinators

The easiest schools for economic development coordinators to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and ottawa university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an economic development coordinator 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 economic development coordinators.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average economic development coordinator salary by education level

Economic development coordinators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $70,900 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, economic development coordinators earn a median annual income of $65,304 compared to $59,036 for economic development coordinators with an Associate degree.
Economic development coordinator education levelEconomic development coordinator salary
Master's Degree$70,900
High School Diploma or Less$55,066
Bachelor's Degree$65,304
Some College/ Associate Degree$59,036

Economic development coordinator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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