Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Leader education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a leader. Leaders usually study business, psychology, or communication. 64% of leaders hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 64,592 real leader resumes to see exactly what leader education sections show.
The most common colleges for leaders are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online leader courses to help get the education required to be a leader.
There are certain leader certifications that you should consider. These leader certifications include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Six Sigma Green Belt.
What education do you need to become a leader?
What degree do you need to be a leader?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 11%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a leader?
- Business, 22%
- Psychology, 10%
- Communication, 6%
- Nursing, 5%
- Other Majors, 57%
Most common colleges for leaders
| Leader common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.13% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.10% |
| Ohio State University | 5.85% |
| New York University | 5.66% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.28% |
Best majors for leaders
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 21.6% |
| 2 | Psychology | 10.0% |
| 3 | Communication | 6.0% |
| 4 | Nursing | 4.7% |
| 5 | Biology | 4.5% |
Best colleges for leaders
The best colleges for leaders are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A leader with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for leaders. 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 leaders.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for leaders
Advertising disclosure
1. Advanced agile communication skills for 21st Century leaders
Upgrade your skills for Industry 4.0 by discovering how to lead using information, communication & control (agile)...
2. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers
Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...
3. Effective Communication for Healthcare Leaders
Getting your points across as a healthcare administrator...
4. Become the Leader on Effective Workplace Communication
Learn the fundamental structuring method taught in top MBA programs...
5. Communication Skills PLUS Leadership - 2 in 1 Masterclass
Learn Communication & Leadership Skills For Inspiration, Success In Life, Work PLUS Interviews, Case Studies, Activities...
6. Executive Communication Training
Being a great leader without being a great communicator is nearly impossible...
7. Communication Skills Masterclass: Speak Like A Leader
Master Public Speaking, Business Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling, Body Language, Listening & More!...
8. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
9. Start Your Traveling Ministry - Itinerant and Evangelistic
Ministry Training Institute. How do you get started with a traveling ministry?...
10. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
11. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
12. Better Virtual Meetings: How to Lead Effective Meetings
Learn the basics of facilitation and minute taking at meetings to save time, improve communication, and get things done...
13. ChatGPT for Better Business Communication
How to use AI to Increase Productivity and Communicate More Effectively [Improve Business Writing Skills with GPT 4]...
14. Storytelling & Narratives: Impactful Business Communication
Impactful Business Communication Model for Leaders, using Narratives and Storylines; Engage, Influence, and Inspire !...
15. Workplace Communication: You Can Speak Up at Meetings!
You Can Learn to Speak up At Anytime Knowing how To Look and Sound Your Best in Meetings...
16. Leadership Communication Skills for Influence and Impact
Develop the communication skills that will make you irreplaceable, influential and unstoppable as a 21st century leader...
17. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level
3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...
18. Business Communication Skills: EQ Intelligent Interactions
Elevate Your Business Communication Skills for Success. Learn to Master the Art of Emotionally Intelligent Interactions...
19. The Complete Business Communication Masterclass
Improve your productivity and relationships in the workplace through the hidden secrets of communication!...
20. Communicate Like a CEO
Dramatically improve your leadership communication skills on the way to the c-suite...
Top 10 most affordable universities for leaders
The most affordable schools for leaders are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for leaders 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 leaders.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for leaders
The hardest universities for leaders to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for leaders 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 leaders 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for leaders
The easiest schools for leaders to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a leader 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 leaders.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average leader salary by education level
| Leader education level | Leader salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $137,229 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $82,186 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $111,794 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $94,626 |
Leader education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.
Search for leader jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025