Estimating manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an estimating manager. Estimating managers usually study business, construction management, or mechanical engineering. 60% of estimating managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,460 real estimating manager resumes to see exactly what estimating manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for estimating managers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.

There are also many online estimating manager courses to help get the education required to be an estimating manager.

There are certain estimating manager certifications that you should consider. These estimating manager certifications include Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP).

What education do you need to become an estimating manager?

What degree do you need to be an estimating manager?

The most common degree for estimating managers is bachelor's degree, with 60% of estimating managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 60%

Associate, 18%

Master's, 8%

High School Diploma, 7%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become an estimating manager?

You should major in business to become an estimating manager. 31% of estimating managers major in business. Other common majors for an estimating manager include construction management and mechanical engineering.

Business, 31%

Construction Management, 9%

Mechanical Engineering, 7%

Civil Engineering, 6%

Other Majors, 47%

Most common colleges for estimating managers

Estimating managers often get their degrees at Purdue University, Texas A&M; University, and University of Florida. Here are the most common colleges for estimating managers in the US based on their resumes.

Estimating manager common college	Percentages
Purdue University	10.58%
Texas A&M University	8.65%
University of Florida	6.73%
Ohio State University	6.73%
Brigham Young University	5.77%

Show more common estimating manager colleges

Best majors for estimating managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	31.1%
2	Construction Management	8.7%
3	Mechanical Engineering	7.3%
4	Civil Engineering	5.7%
5	Management	5.0%

Show more common estimating manager majors

Best colleges for estimating managers

The best colleges for estimating managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

An estimating 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 estimating 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 estimating managers.

1. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

10. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

20 best online courses for estimating managers

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Introduction to Xactimate - Cost Estimation Software for Construction Project...

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19. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study

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Top 10 most affordable universities for estimating managers

The most affordable schools for estimating managers are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for estimating 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 estimating managers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for estimating managers

The hardest universities for estimating managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for estimating 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 estimating 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

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. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,380

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for estimating managers

The easiest schools for estimating managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, pennsylvania state university - fayette (the eberly campus), and pennsylvania state university - worthington scranton.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an estimating 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 estimating managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

3. Pennsylvania State University - Worthington Scranton

Dunmore, PA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,056

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

8. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

9. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average estimating manager salary by education level

Estimating managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $114,490 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, estimating managers earn a median annual income of $104,705 compared to $96,743 for estimating managers with an Associate degree.

Estimating manager education level	Estimating manager salary
Master's Degree	$114,490
High School Diploma or Less	$93,477
Bachelor's Degree	$104,705
Some College/ Associate Degree	$96,743

Estimating manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Estimating Managers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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