Manager, Program Management Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a manager, program management. Managers, program management usually study business, computer science, or accounting. 67% of managers, program management hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,271 real manager, program management resumes to see exactly what manager, program management education sections show.

The most common colleges for managers, program management are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online manager, program management courses to help get the education required to be a manager, program management.

There are certain manager, program management certifications that you should consider. These manager, program management certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL).

What education do you need to become a manager, program management?

What degree do you need to be a manager, program management?

The most common degree for managers, program management is bachelor's degree, with 67% of managers, program management earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 67%

Master's, 19%

Associate, 9%

Doctorate, 2%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a manager, program management?

You should major in business to become a manager, program management. 30% of managers, program management major in business. Other common majors for a manager, program management include computer science and accounting.

Business, 30%

Computer Science, 7%

Accounting, 5%

Marketing, 5%

Other Majors, 53%

Most common colleges for managers, program management

Managers, program management often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, George Washington University, The, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for managers, program management in the US based on their resumes.

Manager, Program Management Common College	Percentages
University of Phoenix	14.33%
George Washington University, The	9.36%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.43%
Pennsylvania State University	5.85%
Boston University	5.56%

Show more common manager, program management colleges

Best majors for managers, program management

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	30.2%
2	Computer Science	6.5%
3	Accounting	5.4%
4	Marketing	5.4%
5	Electrical Engineering	5.1%

Show more common manager, program management majors

Best colleges for managers, program management

The best colleges for managers, program management are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

A manager, program management with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for managers, program management. 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 managers, program management.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-State Tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-State Tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for managers, program management

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3. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

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4. Lean BPM - Lean Business Process Management Change Skills

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5. Business Fundamentals: Management and HR Management

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6. Informed Risk Taking: Risk Management Process - Analysis

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Risk Management Strategies : Risk Analysis Techniques : Risk Management Principles : Risk Management Process : Methods...

7. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class

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12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...

8. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems

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(4,741)

Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...

9. Practical Project Portfolio Management

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(796)

Selecting & Managing The Right Projects...

10. The Risk Management Certification Program (PMI-RMP) (PMBOK7)

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Planning Risk Management, Identifying Risk, Analyzing Risk and Responding to Risk by PMBOK6 (PMBOK7 Updated)...

11. Master Course in Project Management 2.0

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12. Program Management Interview Course

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Learn how to interview for program manager roles at tech companies...

13. Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMP)

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Your Guide to the Gold Standard of Project Management Certifications (PMI-PMP) (PMBOK7 updated) (40 PDUs minimum)...

14. The Business of Logistics in Supply Chain Management

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15. Project Management Course: Master Project Scope Management

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16. Manage Project Risks Impeccably (12 PDUs, RMP - PMP) PMBOK 7

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PMI Project Risk Management RMP Certification Program Course. Practical & easy to follow Use Case Project. PMBOK 7...

17. Project Management Office (PMO) Setup Guide

4.4

(471)

PMO Step-by-Step Implementation Plan...

18. The Agile Methodology for Project Risk Managers

(348)

The Agile Project Management and Risk Management for Project Professionals Full Course...

19. Business Continuity Management & ISO 22301 - Complete Guide

4.6

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Learn Business Continuity Management from Organizational Resilience, Risk Management & Business Management perspectives!...

20. Warehouse Management in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

4.5

(2,300)

Warehouse Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management, Warehouse Inventory Management in Logistics and Supply Chain...

Top 10 most affordable universities for managers, program management

The most affordable schools for managers, program management are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for managers, program management 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 managers, program management.

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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,240

Cost of Attendance

13,991

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,749

Cost of Attendance

14,823

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,064

Cost of Attendance

15,576

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,410

Cost of Attendance

20,456

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-State Tuition

$11,207

Cost of Attendance

25,275

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Cost of Attendance

22,430

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,770

Cost of Attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for managers, program management

The hardest universities for managers, program management to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for managers, program management 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 managers, program management 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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

17%

SAT Average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

19%

SAT Average

1,466

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

20%

SAT Average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

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 managers, program management

The easiest schools for managers, program management to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a manager, program management 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 managers, program management.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,006

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

69%

SAT Average

1,070

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions Rate

78%

SAT Average

1,024

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

78%

SAT Average

1,020

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

964

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,031

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

1,099

8. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,026

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions Rate

81%

SAT Average

999

10. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

52%

SAT Average

958

Average manager, program management salary by education level

According to our data, managers, program management with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $126,072 annually. Managers, program management with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $123,665.

Manager, Program Management education level	Manager, Program Management salary
Master's Degree	$123,665
Bachelor's Degree	$116,359
Doctorate Degree	$126,072
Some College/ Associate Degree	$98,199

Manager, Program Management Education FAQs

What is the best college for Managers, Program Management?

Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.

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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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