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Learning assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a learning assistant. Learning assistants usually study psychology, biology, or business. 74% of learning assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,802 real learning assistant resumes to see exactly what learning assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for learning assistants are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.

There are also many online learning assistant courses to help get the education required to be a learning assistant.

What education do you need to become a learning assistant?

What degree do you need to be a learning assistant?

The most common degree for learning assistants is bachelor's degree, with 74% of learning assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Associate, 12%
  • Master's, 8%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a learning assistant?

You should major in psychology to become a learning assistant. 15% of learning assistants major in psychology. Other common majors for a learning assistant include biology and business.

Most common colleges for learning assistants

Learning assistants often get their degrees at Pennsylvania State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, and Michigan State University. Here are the most common colleges for learning assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Learning assistant common collegePercentages
Pennsylvania State University10.82%
University of Colorado at Boulder9.04%
Michigan State University8.16%
Florida International University7.98%
Sacred Heart University6.38%

Best majors for learning assistants

RankMajorPercentages
1Psychology15.4%
2Biology9.9%
3Business7.0%
4Mathematics6.9%
5Computer Science6.5%

Best colleges for learning assistants

The best colleges for learning assistants are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

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

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

6. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,588

Enrollment

1,544

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for learning assistants

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Top 10 most affordable universities for learning assistants

The most affordable schools for learning assistants are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for learning assistants 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 learning assistants.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for learning assistants

The hardest universities for learning assistants to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for learning assistants 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 learning assistants 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

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for learning assistants

The easiest schools for learning assistants to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and bluefield college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a learning assistant 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 learning assistants.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

4. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

5. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average learning assistant salary by education level

Learning assistants with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $34,409 annually. With a Master's degree, learning assistants earn a median annual income of $33,713 compared to $31,271 for learning assistants with an Bachelor's degree.
Learning assistant education levelLearning assistant salary
Master's Degree$33,713
High School Diploma or Less$30,118
Bachelor's Degree$31,271
Doctorate Degree$34,409
Some College/ Associate Degree$30,475

Learning assistant education FAQs

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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.

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