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Outdoor studies director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an outdoor studies director. Outdoor studies directors usually study psychology, education, or recreation management. 78% of outdoor studies directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 120 real outdoor studies director resumes to see exactly what outdoor studies director education sections show.
The most common colleges for outdoor studies directors are the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
There are also many online outdoor studies director courses to help get the education required to be an outdoor studies director.
What education do you need to become an outdoor studies director?
What degree do you need to be an outdoor studies director?
- Bachelor's, 78%
- Master's, 11%
- Associate, 5%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become an outdoor studies director?
- Psychology, 10%
- Education, 10%
- History, 7%
- Other Majors, 65%
Most common colleges for outdoor studies directors
| Outdoor studies director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 6.67% |
| Utah Valley University | 6.67% |
| Florida State University | 6.67% |
| Appalachian State University | 6.67% |
| St. Lawrence University | 6.67% |
Best majors for outdoor studies directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 9.8% |
| 2 | Education | 9.8% |
| 3 | Recreation Management | 8.2% |
| 4 | History | 6.6% |
| 5 | Environmental Science | 6.6% |
Best colleges for outdoor studies directors
The best colleges for outdoor studies directors are Northwestern University, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and University of Maryland - College Park.
An outdoor studies director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for outdoor studies directors. 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 outdoor studies directors.
1. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
4. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
5. SUNY College at Cortland
Cortland, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,536
Enrollment
6,325
6. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Enrollment
11,559
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$15,374
Enrollment
19,564
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for outdoor studies directors
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Top 10 most affordable universities for outdoor studies directors
The most affordable schools for outdoor studies directors are California State University - Long Beach, lehman college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for outdoor studies directors 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 outdoor studies directors.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for outdoor studies directors
The hardest universities for outdoor studies directors to get into are Northwestern University, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and University of Maryland - College Park.
Some great schools for outdoor studies directors 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 outdoor studies directors 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. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,339
3. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,337
6. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
7. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
8. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for outdoor studies directors
The easiest schools for outdoor studies directors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, barry university, and felician university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an outdoor studies director 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 outdoor studies directors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
10. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
Average outdoor studies director salary by education level
| Outdoor studies director education level | Outdoor studies director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $56,465 |
| Doctorate Degree | $75,894 |
Outdoor studies director education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025