Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Executive assistant/office manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an executive assistant/office manager. Executive assistant/office managers usually study business, psychology, or communication. 58% of executive assistant/office managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 24,073 real executive assistant/office manager resumes to see exactly what executive assistant/office manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for executive assistant/office managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online executive assistant/office manager courses to help get the education required to be an executive assistant/office manager.
There are certain executive assistant/office manager certifications that you should consider. These executive assistant/office manager certifications include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
What education do you need to become an executive assistant/office manager?
What degree do you need to be an executive assistant/office manager?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Associate, 23%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Master's, 6%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an executive assistant/office manager?
- Business, 38%
- Psychology, 7%
- Communication, 6%
- Accounting, 6%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for executive assistant/office managers
| Executive assistant/office manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 22.21% |
| New York University | 6.02% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 4.98% |
| San Francisco State University | 4.78% |
| Miami Dade College | 4.71% |
Best majors for executive assistant/office managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 38.1% |
| 2 | Psychology | 7.2% |
| 3 | Communication | 6.4% |
| 4 | Accounting | 5.6% |
| 5 | Liberal Arts | 4.6% |
Best colleges for executive assistant/office managers
The best colleges for executive assistant/office managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.
An executive assistant/office 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 executive assistant/office 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 executive assistant/office managers.
1. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,105
Enrollment
13,729
6. Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$39,216
Enrollment
1,303
7. Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$7,900
Enrollment
6,404
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$27,124
Enrollment
2,035
10. University of Akron
Akron, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,463
Enrollment
13,676
20 best online courses for executive assistant/office managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Executive Assistants: Manage Client's GCal (Beginners)
Google Calendar (2018) Setup, Strategies and Scripts...
2. Project Management Office (PMO) Setup Guide
PMO Step-by-Step Implementation Plan...
3. Project Management Office (PMO) for Management Consultants
A practical guide on how to build and run PMO on the level of top consulting firm Mc Kinsey, BCG, Bain, Pw C...
4. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
5. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study
Learn theory and practical concepts in Cost Accounting and Financial Management with loads of video lectures...
6. Project Management With MS Project - Scheduling Master Class
Managing projects with Microsoft Project? Learn project management, planning, scheduling, and tracking best practices...
7. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
8. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
9. MS Office Course Bundle- Word , Powerpoint , Excel & Outlook
MS Office Learn and Polish the Most Desirable Office Courses at work , MS Word , MS Excel , MS Powerpoint and MS Outlook...
10. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
11. Agile Project Management Bootcamp: Agile Project Management
This Agile Project Management Bootcamp course will allow you to learn the Agile Way! Agile Project Management (Scrum)...
12. Project Management: Simple Software Project Management
Project Management for NEW Project Managers - knowledge, tools, techniques, skills, checklists, guidelines, pitfalls...
13. The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle
Learn the essentials of Microsoft Office in this 6-course bundle for Office 365 or Office 2021 users...
14. Professional Diploma in Project Management
Introduction to main areas and tools of project management...
15. Project Management: Cost & Schedule Monitoring using EVM
Earned Value Management, Project Management, Cost Control & Monitor, Budget, Schedule & Cost Variance, Performance Index...
16. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
17. Project Management Essentials
A crash course in the essentials of project management for new project managers...
18. Project Management Fundamentals: Run projects effectively
Learn how to effectively analyze, plan, execute, and manage projects that consistently accomplish company objectives...
19. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
20. Microsoft 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requ.
Microsoft 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements...
Top 10 most affordable universities for executive assistant/office managers
The most affordable schools for executive assistant/office managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for executive assistant/office 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 executive assistant/office managers.
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. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$6,768
Cost of attendance
15,506
10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for executive assistant/office managers
The hardest universities for executive assistant/office managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.
Some great schools for executive assistant/office 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 executive assistant/office 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for executive assistant/office managers
The easiest schools for executive assistant/office managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and lim college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an executive assistant/office 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 executive assistant/office managers.
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. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
4. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
7. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
8. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
9. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,009
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average executive assistant/office manager salary by education level
| Executive assistant/office manager education level | Executive assistant/office manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $62,403 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $57,100 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $62,186 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $58,164 |
Executive assistant/office manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common office and administrative questions.
Search for executive assistant/office manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025