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Manufacturer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a manufacturer. Manufacturers usually study business, general studies, or criminal justice. 45% of manufacturers hold a high school diploma, and 21% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 2,779 real manufacturer resumes to see exactly what manufacturer education sections show.
The most common colleges for manufacturers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online manufacturer courses to help get the education required to be a manufacturer.
What education do you need to become a manufacturer?
What degree do you need to be a manufacturer?
- High School Diploma, 45%
- Bachelor's, 21%
- Associate, 17%
- Diploma, 10%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a manufacturer?
- Business, 22%
- General Studies, 12%
- Criminal Justice, 8%
- Graphic Design, 5%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for manufacturers
| Manufacturer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.14% |
| Northern Arizona University | 5.80% |
| Brigham Young University | 5.80% |
| DeVry University | 5.80% |
| Western Washington University | 5.80% |
Best majors for manufacturers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 22.4% |
| 2 | General Studies | 12.5% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 8.1% |
| 4 | Graphic Design | 5.1% |
| 5 | Psychology | 4.0% |
Best colleges for manufacturers
The best colleges for manufacturers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A manufacturer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for manufacturers. 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 manufacturers.
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 manufacturers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
2. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...
3. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
4. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
5. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
6. Mastering the Seven Quality Tools (with Microsoft Excel)
A Deep Dive into the theory and application of the 7 Quality Tools for root cause analysis and continuous improvement...
7. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
8. How to Write Effortless Quality Procedures & SOPs for ISO
Write Professional Procedures. The only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...
9. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
10. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.
A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...
11. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
12. Product and Service Management
Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...
13. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
14. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication
Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...
15. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
16. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
17. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers
Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...
18. Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
Manufacturing Fundamentals...
19. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management
Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...
20. Self-Discipline Hacks: Increase Productivity & Achieve Goals
Productivity & Confidence boost. Willpower. Motivation. Job Interview. Goal setting. Courage. Eliminate Distractions...
Top 10 most affordable universities for manufacturers
The most affordable schools for manufacturers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for manufacturers 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 manufacturers.
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 manufacturers
The hardest universities for manufacturers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for manufacturers 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 manufacturers 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 manufacturers
The easiest schools for manufacturers 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 manufacturer 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 manufacturers.
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 manufacturer salary by education level
| Manufacturer education level | Manufacturer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $40,264 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $31,335 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $36,423 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $33,571 |
Manufacturer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025