Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Mayor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mayor. Mayors usually study business, political science, or psychology. 60% of mayors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 868 real mayor resumes to see exactly what mayor education sections show.
The most common colleges for mayors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online mayor courses to help get the education required to be a mayor.
What education do you need to become a mayor?
What degree do you need to be a mayor?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 12%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a mayor?
- Business, 26%
- Political Science, 16%
- Psychology, 6%
- Communication, 6%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for mayors
| Mayor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.54% |
| Mississippi State University | 8.97% |
| Ohio University | 6.41% |
| Central State University | 5.13% |
| University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus | 5.13% |
Best majors for mayors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 25.5% |
| 2 | Political Science | 15.7% |
| 3 | Psychology | 6.1% |
| 4 | Communication | 5.8% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 5.2% |
Best colleges for mayors
The best colleges for mayors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
A mayor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mayors. 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 mayors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for mayors
Advertising disclosure
1. Predictive Analytics for Business
Learn to apply predictive analytics and business intelligence to solve real-world business problems...
2. AI for Business Leaders
Master the foundations of artificial intelligence so you can strategically implement AI in your company. Leverage machine learning technologies to power corporate growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experiences...
3. Systems Thinking In Public Health
This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...
4. Public Speaking Training & Facilitator Certification
World-class public speaking training: Learn presentation skills, engage your audience, develop confidence, facilitate...
5. Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking
Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking - Presentation Skills - Communication Skills and Storytelling...
6. Public Speaking for Beginners
Public Speaking Skills Developed From Scratch, in Little Time...
7. Fear of Public Speaking: Never Fear Public Speaking Again
Public Speaking Fear. You will deliver presentations/speeches with confidence and ease. Never be nervous again...
8. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
9. Public Speaking: A tactical approach
This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...
10. Public Speaking and Presenting at Work
Master professional presentation skills, develop confidence, command the room, facilitate meetings & design your speech...
11. Public Speaking: Be a Professional Speaker
Public Speaking: Learn how to position yourself as a professional speaker and market yourself...
12. The Art of Public Speaking
Master Public Speaking: Deliver Unforgettable Speeches & Presentations With The World's Most Decorated Public Speaker...
13. Easily Release Your Fear of Public Speaking Right Now
Identify and Remove Your Public Speaking Anxiety Once and For All Using Incredibly Effective, Simple Techniques...
14. Public Speaking Crash Course! (Fast Paced)
Instant Practical Steps to Jump Into Public Speaking, Communicating & Presenting Anything...
15. 2023 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion
TJ Walker's Incredibly Thorough and Comprehensive Public Speaking Course for Every Situation, Audience and Skill Level...
16. Public Speaking for Kids (& Parents) Kids Can Speak!
Public Speaking: It's never too early to learn how to speak effectively and with confidence. An essential life skill...
17. Basic Governance for Board Members
Know your rights, duties & stay out of trouble...
18. Public Speaking & Communicating: Skip Theory, Master the Art
Public Speaking,Presenting,Communicating. After years in the Making: The Spark Words method has been proven by Thousands...
19. TJ Walker's 1-Hour Public Speaking Presentation Skills Class
Gain Mastery of Presentation Skills and Public Speaking Skills in One Hour...
20. Time Management Public Speaking - Drastically Reduce Prep
Time Management Public Speaking: You don't have to spend hours preparing your public speaking...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mayors
The most affordable schools for mayors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for mayors 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 mayors.
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mayors
The hardest universities for mayors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for mayors 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 mayors 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,380
10. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mayors
The easiest schools for mayors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mayor 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 mayors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,080
9. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average mayor salary by education level
| Mayor education level | Mayor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $46,669 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $43,211 |
| Doctorate Degree | $46,662 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $34,406 |
Search for mayor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025