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Elearning specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an elearning specialist. Elearning specialists usually study elementary education, graphic design, or communication. 70% of elearning specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 137 real elearning specialist resumes to see exactly what elearning specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for elearning specialists are the Illinois State University and the Illinois State University.

There are also many online elearning specialist courses to help get the education required to be an elearning specialist.

What education do you need to become an elearning specialist?

What degree do you need to be an elearning specialist?

The most common degree for elearning specialists is bachelor's degree, with 70% of elearning specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 70%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Diploma, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an elearning specialist?

You should major in elementary education to become an elearning specialist. 11% of elearning specialists major in elementary education. Other common majors for an elearning specialist include graphic design and communication.

Most common colleges for elearning specialists

Elearning specialists often get their degrees at Illinois State University, James Madison University, and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Here are the most common colleges for elearning specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Elearning specialist common collegePercentages
Illinois State University10.00%
James Madison University10.00%
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania6.67%
Florida State University6.67%
University of San Francisco6.67%

Best majors for elearning specialists

Best colleges for elearning specialists

The best colleges for elearning specialists are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University.

An elearning specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for elearning specialists. 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 elearning specialists.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Texas State University

San Marcos, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,280

Enrollment

34,187

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for elearning specialists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for elearning specialists

The most affordable schools for elearning specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for elearning specialists 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 elearning specialists.

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. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

5. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

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 elearning specialists

The hardest universities for elearning specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for elearning specialists 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 elearning specialists 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA • Private

Admissions rate

36%

SAT average

1,330

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for elearning specialists

The easiest schools for elearning specialists to get into are Barry University, ottawa university, and cardinal stritch university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an elearning specialist 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 elearning specialists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

3. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

7. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

9. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,080

10. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

Average elearning specialist salary by education level

Elearning specialists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $84,998 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, elearning specialists earn a median annual income of $77,533 compared to $69,258 for elearning specialists with an Associate degree.
Elearning specialist education levelElearning specialist salary
Master's Degree$84,998
High School Diploma or Less$64,072
Bachelor's Degree$77,533
Some College/ Associate Degree$69,258

Elearning specialist 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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