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Executive project manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an executive project manager. Executive project managers usually study business, computer science, or project management. 69% of executive project managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,146 real executive project manager resumes to see exactly what executive project manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for executive project managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online executive project manager courses to help get the education required to be an executive project manager.
There are certain executive project manager certifications that you should consider. These executive project manager certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).
What education do you need to become an executive project manager?
What degree do you need to be an executive project manager?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 9%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an executive project manager?
- Business, 29%
- Computer Science, 6%
- Psychology, 6%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for executive project managers
| Executive project manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.18% |
| George Washington University, The | 11.19% |
| University of Washington | 7.46% |
| University of Texas at Austin | 6.72% |
| Boston University | 5.22% |
Best majors for executive project managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 29.0% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 6.3% |
| 3 | Project Management | 6.3% |
| 4 | Psychology | 5.6% |
| 5 | Civil Engineering | 5.4% |
Best colleges for executive project managers
The best colleges for executive project managers are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
An executive project 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 project 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 project managers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
20 best online courses for executive project managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Digital Project Management
Build confidence translating business requirements into project scope statements, creating project plans in Waterfall or Agile, and developing a high-performing team...
2. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
3. Master Course in Project Management 2.0
Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...
4. Project Management Essentials
A crash course in the essentials of project management for new project managers...
5. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
6. Project Management: Simple Software Project Management
Project Management for NEW Project Managers - knowledge, tools, techniques, skills, checklists, guidelines, pitfalls...
7. Project Management Fundamentals: Run projects effectively
Learn how to effectively analyze, plan, execute, and manage projects that consistently accomplish company objectives...
8. The Agile Methodology for Project Risk Managers
The Agile Project Management and Risk Management for Project Professionals Full Course...
9. Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One
Project Management: Growing a Successful Career as a Project Manager...
10. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
11. Project Management Course: Master Project Scope Management
Practical guide to scope development and management - Project Management Certification (PMP, CAPM) Training [Earn 11PDU]...
12. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
13. 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)...
14. Project Management: Becoming a Successful Project manager
Project Management...
15. Project Management Office (PMO) Setup Guide
PMO Step-by-Step Implementation Plan...
16. Manage Project Risks Impeccably (12 PDUs, RMP - PMP) PMBOK 7
PMI Project Risk Management RMP Certification Program Course. Practical & easy to follow Use Case Project. PMBOK 7...
17. Project Management Essentials: Ace Your Next Project!
The Missing Toolkit for Truly Effective, Everyday Project Management Project Management Basics for Everyone...
18. Project Management Fundamentals
Practical Project Management worked example using Gantt Charts, PMI, PMP, APM...
19. Project Risk Management
Practice of identifying , analyzing, prioritizing and mitigating risks...
20. Project Management for Beginners: Fundamentals Crash Course
Project Management Training for new Project Managers - Introduction to Project Management Certification - PMP - Agile...
Top 10 most affordable universities for executive project managers
The most affordable schools for executive project managers are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for executive project 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 project managers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
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 executive project managers
The hardest universities for executive project managers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for executive project 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 project 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for executive project managers
The easiest schools for executive project managers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an executive project 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 project managers.
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. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
5. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average executive project manager salary by education level
| Executive project manager education level | Executive project manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $123,323 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $84,603 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $109,164 |
| Doctorate Degree | $130,803 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $89,215 |
Executive project manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025