Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Functional tester education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a functional tester. Functional testers usually study computer science, electrical engineering, or business. 62% of functional testers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,058 real functional tester resumes to see exactly what functional tester education sections show.
The most common colleges for functional testers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online functional tester courses to help get the education required to be a functional tester.
There are certain functional tester certifications that you should consider. These functional tester certifications include ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) and Certified Quality Assurance Professional (CQAP).
What education do you need to become a functional tester?
What degree do you need to be a functional tester?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 9%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a functional tester?
- Computer Science, 20%
- Business, 10%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for functional testers
| Functional tester common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.00% |
| Strayer University | 9.09% |
| New York University | 7.27% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.27% |
| DeVry University | 6.36% |
Best majors for functional testers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 20.0% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 14.9% |
| 3 | Business | 10.4% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 6.8% |
| 5 | Computer Engineering | 5.7% |
Best colleges for functional testers
The best colleges for functional testers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A functional tester with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for functional testers. 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 functional testers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
10. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
20 best online courses for functional testers
Advertising disclosure
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Intro to Coding
Discover if coding is a career fit for you In this free, two-hour livestream, explore the building blocks of the web — HTML and CSS — and learn how you can apply these programming languages to develop your own simple sites. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to write your first line of code!...
3. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
4. Agile Software Development
Learn best practices for using the Agile methodology to build better products faster and more efficiently...
5. Design a User Interface (UI) Story Map in Miro
By the end of this project, you will be able to create a user interface story map that your business can use as a roadmap for release planning and as a framework for version and improvement releases over time. The power of the user interface story map is that it places the spotlight of the release process upon the user. This enables the business to stay focused on user experience and needs throughout releases of products and makes it easier for cross-functional teams to home in on what is...
6. User Interface Design
In this Specialization, you will learn industry-standard theory and methods for developing successful user interfaces (UIs). Upon completing this Specialization, you will have fluency with the user research, prototyping and evaluation techniques necessary for creating intuitive interfaces that facilitate good user experiences. You will also have demonstrated this fluency through an in-depth Capstone Project that can be shown to prospective employers in the fast-growing field of UI...
7. Advanced Automation Testing with Quick Test Pro (QTP) or UFT
Become an expert automation tester through this award winning HP Quick Test Professional (QTP)/ UFT course...
8. HP-UFT 12.0 Automation
Learn the fundamentals of HP-UFT Functional Automation...
9. Full Stack JavaScript Developer
Meet the growing demand for full stack developers and learn to build rich web experiences using a modern architecture and technology stack...
10. Cloud Developer using Microsoft Azure
The Developer for Microsoft Azure Nanodegree program teaches students how to deploy, build, migrate, and monitor applications on Azure, thereby preparing learners for success on Microsoft’s AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate Expert certification...
11. Visual Elements of User Interface Design
This design-centric course examines the broad question of what an interface is and what role a designer plays in creating a user interface. Learning how to design and articulate meaning using color, type, and imagery is essential to making interfaces function clearly and seamlessly. Through a series of lectures and visual exercises, you will focus on the many individual elements and components that make up the skillset of an interface designer. By the end of this course, you will be able to...
12. Business Analysis: Functional & Non-Functional Requirements
Simple Requirements Decomposition / Drill-Down Techniques for Defining Product Behaviors and Qualities (Now with AI)...
13. User Experience Design & User Interface Design Fundamentals
Learn the basics of successful User Experience Design and User Interface Design...
14. Intermediate Python
Gain practitioner-level skills with Python and learn the language powering transformation in Data Science, Machine Learning, and beyond...
15. Linux(Unix) Command with Shell Scripting-Must for Testers/QA
Learn Linux Shell Commands, Shell Scripting with Practical Implementation File Processing using SED, AWK & Advance GREP...
16. ISTQB Mobile Application Testing - Become a Mobile Tester
All you need to become a certified Mobile Application Tester...
17. The Complete User Interface Design Bootcamp - Sketch UI/UX
Master Sketch software to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
18. Learn Figma: User Interface Design Essentials - UI/UX Design
Master Figma app to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
19. Web Security & Bug Bounty: Learn Penetration Testing in 2023
Become a bug bounty hunter! Learn to hack websites, fix vulnerabilities, and improve web security online for clients...
20. Appium WinAppDriver C# Windows Desktop UI Automation Testing
Windows Application Driver Automation Testing, Appium for Windows , End-to-End Desktop Testing Tutorial for Beginners...
Top 10 most affordable universities for functional testers
The most affordable schools for functional testers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for functional testers 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 functional testers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for functional testers
The hardest universities for functional testers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for functional testers 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 functional testers 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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for functional testers
The easiest schools for functional testers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a functional tester 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 functional testers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
4. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
9. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
10. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
Average functional tester salary by education level
| Functional tester education level | Functional tester salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $84,634 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,183 |
| Doctorate Degree | $84,928 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $71,030 |
Functional tester education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for functional tester jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025