Loss prevention officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a loss prevention officer. Loss prevention officers usually study criminal justice, business, or general studies. 31% of loss prevention officers hold a high school diploma, and 30% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 12,026 real loss prevention officer resumes to see exactly what loss prevention officer education sections show.

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

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

There are certain loss prevention officer certifications that you should consider. These loss prevention officer certifications include Security 5 Certification and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

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

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

The most common degree for loss prevention officers is high school diploma, with 31% of loss prevention officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 30% and bachelor's degree degree at 26%.

High School Diploma, 31%

Bachelor's, 30%

Associate, 26%

Diploma, 6%

Other Degrees, 7%

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

You should major in criminal justice to become a loss prevention officer. 49% of loss prevention officers major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a loss prevention officer include business and general studies.

Criminal Justice, 49%

Business, 12%

General Studies, 6%

Psychology, 3%

Other Majors, 30%

Most common colleges for loss prevention officers

Loss prevention officers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Miami Dade College, and Valencia College. Here are the most common colleges for loss prevention officers in the US based on their resumes.

Loss prevention officer common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	18.94%
Miami Dade College	10.16%
Valencia College	6.70%
DeVry University	6.47%
University of Central Florida	5.08%

Show more common loss prevention officer colleges

Best majors for loss prevention officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	49.0%
2	Business	12.3%
3	General Studies	6.0%
4	Psychology	3.5%
5	Liberal Arts	3.3%

Show more common loss prevention officer majors

Best colleges for loss prevention officers

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

A loss prevention officer 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 officers. 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 officers.

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 officers

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4. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

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5. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

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

7. Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, India 2013

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8. Planning and Implementing a Security Incident Response

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Learn all about planning and implementing a Security Incident Response along with best practices and recommendations...

9. Preventing Workplace Harassment 101

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Avoid inappropriate or questionable conduct and respond properly to harassment situations...

10. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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17. Security Guard Training Course

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Security Officer Training In Today's Job Market...

18. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

4.2

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Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

19. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Weight Loss

4.7

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Learn the science, habits, strategies to lose weight in a healthy manner and keep it off permanently...

20. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

Top 10 most affordable universities for loss prevention officers

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

If the best universities for loss prevention officers 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 officers.

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 officers

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

Some great schools for loss prevention officers 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 officers 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

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

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 officers

The easiest schools for loss prevention officers 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 officer 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 officers.

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 officer salary by education level

According to our data, loss prevention officers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $39,185 annually. Loss prevention officers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $32,868.

Loss prevention officer education level	Loss prevention officer salary
High School Diploma or Less	$32,455
Bachelor's Degree	$39,185
Some College/ Associate Degree	$32,868

Loss prevention officer education FAQs

What is the best college for Loss Prevention Officers?

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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

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