Head trainer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a head trainer. Head trainers usually study business, kinesiology, or psychology. 59% of head trainers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,576 real head trainer resumes to see exactly what head trainer education sections show.

The most common colleges for head trainers are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.

There are also many online head trainer courses to help get the education required to be a head trainer.

There are certain head trainer certifications that you should consider. These head trainer certifications include Certified Personal Trainer and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

What education do you need to become a head trainer?

What degree do you need to be a head trainer?

The most common degree for head trainers is bachelor's degree, with 59% of head trainers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 59%

Associate, 17%

High School Diploma, 11%

Master's, 8%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a head trainer?

You should major in business to become a head trainer. 23% of head trainers major in business. Other common majors for a head trainer include kinesiology and psychology.

Business, 23%

Kinesiology, 17%

Psychology, 7%

Criminal Justice, 5%

Other Majors, 48%

Most common colleges for head trainers

Head trainers often get their degrees at Ohio State University, Texas State University, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for head trainers in the US based on their resumes.

Head trainer common college	Percentages
Ohio State University	7.55%
Texas State University	7.08%
University of Central Florida	6.60%
University of Phoenix	6.60%
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville	6.13%

Show more common head trainer colleges

Best majors for head trainers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	22.8%
2	Kinesiology	16.5%
3	Psychology	7.5%
4	Criminal Justice	4.8%
5	Communication	4.7%

Show more common head trainer majors

Best colleges for head trainers

The best colleges for head trainers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

A head trainer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for head trainers. 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 head trainers.

1. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

20 best online courses for head trainers

Advertising disclosure

1. Train the Trainer Virtual: Virtual Training Master Class

4.3

(3,231)

Lead Effective Online, Virtual Training Sessions that Create Excitement, Motivation, Attention and Retention...

2. Train the Trainer - PRACTICAL Training & Facilitation Skills

4.7

(252)

PRACTICAL Training & Facilitation Skills for Trainers, Facilitators and Facilitative Trainers...

3. The Complete Train the Trainer Bootcamp - Beginners-Advanced

4.5

(2,482)

The Only Train the Trainer Course You Will Need: In-Person Training, Virtual Training, Beginner Intermediate & Advanced...

4. Train the Trainer 101: For Beginners Only!

4.6

(2,150)

Quickly go from trainee to trainer using The Rule the Room training method: How to Train Anything to Anyone...

5. The Complete Train the Trainer Bootcamp (Part 2): All Levels

4.7

(618)

The Complete Classroom Training Mastery Certification Program That Doubles Learning Retention In Half The Time...

6. The Complete Train the Trainer Bootcamp (Part 3): All Levels

4.8

(427)

The Complete Classroom Training Mastery Certification Program That Doubles Learning Retention In Half The Time...

7. The Complete Train the Trainer Bootcamp (Part 1): All Levels

4.5

(1,513)

The Complete Classroom Training Mastery Certification Program That Doubles Learning Retention In Half The Time...

8. Train the Trainer Pro: No Beginners Allowed!

4.5

(1,426)

Leverage elite training techniques that set you apart and that every trainee wants to take again and again...

9. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers

4.4

(1,161)

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

10. Personal Development Life Coach Certification1 Training

4.8

(869)

Personal Development Life Coach Training Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Personal Development Life Coaching...

11. Pilates Teacher Training & CPD Certification

4.7

(3,865)

Become a Classical Mat Pilates instructor with this accredited training course...

12. HIIT & Body Weight Training: A 4-week Home Workout Program

4.4

(365)

Be your own Personal Trainer: Bodyweight Workouts that boosts testosterone, help with muscle building and/or weight loss...

13. Train the Trainer Foundation: Adult Education Mastery Course

4.6

(1,679)

Deploy a repeatable system for employee learning to ensure you reach every learner…every time...

14. Customer Service Training: Dealing with Difficult Customers

4.5

(1,035)

Learn how to deal with difficult customers Master customer relationship management Gain conflict management skills...

15. Voice of Customer VOC Techniques Training and Certification

4.5

(319)

Get Trained to use the VOC Techniques and achieve the VOC Techniques Specialist Certification (Earn PDUs)...

16. Voice Training - Proven Methods to Improve Your Vocal Skills

4.6

(1,120)

Professional Voice Training Exercises and Techniques Guaranteed to Make Your Voice Sound More Powerful and Authoritative...

17. Life Coach Certification Associate ACELC Life Coach Training

4.8

(1,384)

Life Coach Training Practitioner Course Graduating Prepared and Ready-To-Work ACELC Professionals in Life Coaching...

18. Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness International Certification

4.5

(261)

Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness Internationally Certified instructor & steps to creating your own Fitness Business...

19. Self-Esteem Life Coach Certification2 Training

(270)

Self-Esteem Life Coach Training Practitioner Course Graduating Prepared Professionals in Self-Esteem Life Coaching...

20. Professional Life Coach Certification PCELC Coach Training

4.3

(2,678)

Life Coach Training Practitioner Course Graduating Prepared and Ready-To-Work PCELC Professionals in Life Coaching...

Top 10 most affordable universities for head trainers

The most affordable schools for head trainers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.

If the best universities for head trainers 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 head trainers.

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. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

10. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for head trainers

The hardest universities for head trainers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for head trainers 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 head trainers 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA • Private

Admissions rate

36%

SAT average

1,330

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for head trainers

The easiest schools for head trainers to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a head trainer 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 head trainers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

9. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average head trainer salary by education level

According to our data, head trainers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $99,240 annually. Head trainers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $87,892.

Head trainer education level	Head trainer salary
Master's Degree	$99,240
High School Diploma or Less	$68,322
Bachelor's Degree	$87,892
Some College/ Associate Degree	$75,720

Head trainer education FAQs

What is the best college for Head Trainers?

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

Search for head trainer jobs

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

Browse business and financial jobs