Post job

Extension worker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an extension worker. Extension workers usually study agriculture, psychology, or biology. 63% of extension workers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an diploma. We analyzed 66 real extension worker resumes to see exactly what extension worker education sections show.

The most common colleges for extension workers are the Illinois State University and the Illinois State University.

There are also many online extension worker courses to help get the education required to be an extension worker.

What education do you need to become an extension worker?

What degree do you need to be an extension worker?

The most common degree for extension workers is bachelor's degree, with 63% of extension workers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are diploma degree at 18% and diploma degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Diploma, 18%
  • Associate, 11%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an extension worker?

You should major in agriculture to become an extension worker. 13% of extension workers major in agriculture. Other common majors for an extension worker include psychology and biology.

Most common colleges for extension workers

Extension workers often get their degrees at Illinois State University, University of Maryland - Baltimore County, and University of Colorado at Boulder. Here are the most common colleges for extension workers in the US based on their resumes.
Extension worker common collegePercentages
Illinois State University9.52%
University of Maryland - Baltimore County4.76%
University of Colorado at Boulder4.76%
University of North Florida4.76%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas4.76%

Best majors for extension workers

RankMajorPercentages
1Agriculture13.3%
2Psychology10.0%
3Biology6.7%
4Environmental Science6.7%
5Agricultural Business6.7%

Best colleges for extension workers

The best colleges for extension workers are Cornell University, Duke University, and University of California, Berkeley.

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

1. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

2. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

4. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

5. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

6. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

7. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

10. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

20 best online courses for extension workers

Advertising disclosure

1. Google Chrome Security and Extensions for Beginners

coursera

Google Chrome extensions and security skills can help you launch your career with technical experience valued by IT employers. This guided project can help you gain job-ready knowledge and skills related to managing browser pop-ups, redirects, and extensions on Google Chrome. Then, gain practical browser privacy and security settings skills. After completing these hands-on project labs, you can assess your knowledge using a graded quiz available here on Coursera. Score higher than 80% to earn...

2. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners

coursera

In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...

3. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

udemy
4.6
(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

4. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

5. CVS Health Retail Customer Service

coursera

The demand for customer service representatives is huge, there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. This program prepares you for a retail customer service role. Retail customer service is an exciting career where every day is a new day and a new adventure. The target audience for this certificate is anyone who is customer obsessed and is looking to launch a career in retail customer service.\n\nThis program uniquely prepares you for your new role by using a blend of videos,...

6. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers

udemy
4.4
(266)

You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...

7. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers

udemy
4.4
(1,161)

Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...

8. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

udemy
4.5
(2,276)

3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

9. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

udemy
4.5
(5,133)

Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...

10. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

udemy
4.7
(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

11. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

udemy
4.5
(3,956)

Used by ChaseĀ®, IntelĀ®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

12. Customer Service Foundation

udemy
4.5
(290)

An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...

13. Start Improving Customer Service

udemy
4.8
(2,040)

Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...

14. Customer Relationship Management A Retail Perspective

udemy
4.5
(425)

The success of your business through managing relationships with customers effectively...

15. CRM: Customer Relationship Management

udemy
4.4
(1,546)

Practical Ideas To Generate Sales, Loyalty And Repeat Business Fast...

16. Start Your Traveling Ministry - Itinerant and Evangelistic

udemy
4.6
(390)

Ministry Training Institute. How do you get started with a traveling ministry?...

17. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!

udemy
4.7
(12,891)

Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...

18. Microsoft Project ADVANCED: Project Management Technics 3PDU

udemy
4.6
(952)

MS PROJECT 2016 ADVANCED Project Management Techniques -incl Enterprise level. HANDS-ON from #1 BESTSELLING INSTRUCTOR...

19. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module

udemy
4.4
(960)

Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...

20. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification

udemy
4.6
(2,112)

Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...

Top 10 most affordable universities for extension workers

The most affordable schools for extension workers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for extension workers 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 extension workers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

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. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for extension workers

The hardest universities for extension workers to get into are Cornell University, Duke University, and University of California, Berkeley.

Some great schools for extension workers 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 extension workers 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. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

3. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

6. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

7. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

8. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for extension workers

The easiest schools for extension workers to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, texas a&m; university - kingsville, and texas woman's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an extension worker 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 extension workers.

1. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

2. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

3. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

4. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,072

5. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average extension worker salary by education level

According to our data, extension workers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $43,904 annually. Extension workers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $42,270.
Extension worker education levelExtension worker salary
Master's Degree$42,270
Bachelor's Degree$37,919
Doctorate Degree$43,904

Extension worker education FAQs

Search for extension worker jobs

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.

Browse education, training, and library jobs