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Loss prevention associate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a loss prevention associate. Loss prevention associates usually study criminal justice, business, or general studies. 36% of loss prevention associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 7,521 real loss prevention associate resumes to see exactly what loss prevention associate education sections show.

The most common colleges for loss prevention associates are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online loss prevention associate courses to help get the education required to be a loss prevention associate.

There are certain loss prevention associate certifications that you should consider. These loss prevention associate certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Loss Prevention Certified (LPC).

What education do you need to become a loss prevention associate?

What degree do you need to be a loss prevention associate?

The most common degree for loss prevention associates is bachelor's degree, with 36% of loss prevention associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 27% and high school diploma degree at 26%.
  • Bachelor's, 36%
  • High School Diploma, 27%
  • Associate, 26%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a loss prevention associate?

You should major in criminal justice to become a loss prevention associate. 47% of loss prevention associates major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a loss prevention associate include business and general studies.

Most common colleges for loss prevention associates

Loss prevention associates often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York, and Miami Dade College. Here are the most common colleges for loss prevention associates in the US based on their resumes.
Loss prevention associate common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix16.23%
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York6.42%
Miami Dade College6.42%
Monroe College6.04%
DeVry University6.04%

Best majors for loss prevention associates

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice46.9%
2Business14.1%
3General Studies5.7%
4Psychology4.5%
5Liberal Arts3.6%

Best colleges for loss prevention associates

The best colleges for loss prevention associates are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A loss prevention associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for loss prevention associates. 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 loss prevention associates.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

2. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

7. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

8. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

9. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,369

Enrollment

5,229

10. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

20 best online courses for loss prevention associates

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Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

4. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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Defend yourself and prevent attacks with this concise training-case studies, animations, assignments and trainer support...

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Active Shooter/Violent Intruder Prevention and Response...

7. Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, India 2013

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A complete guide to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment at workplaces in India. Detailed overview on Sexual...

8. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

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Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

9. Occupational Health & Safety Training

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Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

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16. Fraud Prevention, Dispute Resolution and PCI-DSS Masterclass

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17. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

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Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

18. Cyber Security: Beginner's Training Guide to Online Safety!

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Tips and tricks that teach you how to be safer online so you can prevent malware infections, scams, and identity theft...

19. Build Powerful Compliance Programs & Prevent Corporate Fraud

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20. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Weight Loss

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Top 10 most affordable universities for loss prevention associates

The most affordable schools for loss prevention associates are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and usf sarasota-manatee.

If the best universities for loss prevention associates 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 loss prevention associates.

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. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for loss prevention associates

The hardest universities for loss prevention associates to get into are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for loss prevention associates 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 loss prevention associates 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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

6. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

7. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for loss prevention associates

The easiest schools for loss prevention associates to get into are Nyack College, notre dame college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a loss prevention associate 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 loss prevention associates.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average loss prevention associate salary by education level

According to our data, loss prevention associates with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $47,722 annually. Loss prevention associates with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $37,438.
Loss prevention associate education levelLoss prevention associate salary
High School Diploma or Less$36,790
Bachelor's Degree$47,722
Some College/ Associate Degree$37,438

Loss prevention associate 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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