Plant controller education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a plant controller. Plant controllers usually study accounting, business, or finance. 77% of plant controllers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,980 real plant controller resumes to see exactly what plant controller education sections show.

The most common colleges for plant controllers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online plant controller courses to help get the education required to be a plant controller.

There are certain plant controller certifications that you should consider. These plant controller certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

What education do you need to become a plant controller?

What degree do you need to be a plant controller?

The most common degree for plant controllers is bachelor's degree, with 77% of plant controllers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 77%

Master's, 18%

Associate, 4%

Diploma, 0%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a plant controller?

You should major in accounting to become a plant controller. 53% of plant controllers major in accounting. Other common majors for a plant controller include business and finance.

Accounting, 53%

Business, 27%

Finance, 10%

Management, 2%

Other Majors, 8%

Most common colleges for plant controllers

Plant controllers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Wisconsin Colleges. Here are the most common colleges for plant controllers in the US based on their resumes.

Plant controller common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	9.00%
Pennsylvania State University	7.25%
University of Wisconsin Colleges	6.50%
Western Michigan University	6.00%
California State University - San Bernardino	5.75%

Show more common plant controller colleges

Best majors for plant controllers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	53.1%
2	Business	27.4%
3	Finance	9.8%
4	Management	2.3%
5	Economics	1.6%

Show more common plant controller majors

Best colleges for plant controllers

The best colleges for plant controllers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A plant controller with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for plant controllers. 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 plant controllers.

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. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for plant controllers

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...

2. SAP Controlling

4.4

(293)

SAP Controlling...

3. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

4.4

(1,188)

Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

4. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

4.5

(645)

Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...

5. SAP Finance and Controlling

(638)

Master SAP Finance and Controlling...

6. Supply Chain Management: Inventory Management and Control

4.5

(656)

Inventory Management in Supply Chain Management & Inventory Control in Warehouse Logistics & Supply chain Management...

7. Supply Chain: Inventory Control & Safety Stock Calculation

4.5

(3,199)

Reduce Operational Cost by Optimizing in Inventory Levels...

8. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control

4.6

(434)

Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...

9. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination

4.4

(3,154)

IT Compliance Training...

10. Inventory Management A-Z: Supply Chain & Business Operations

4.6

(3,087)

Inventory Management Basics: MBA beginners course to your optimize your Purchasing, Logistics, EOQ and Safety Stock...

11. Financial Accounting - Inventory Costs

4.3

(254)

Mastering Inventory Costs & Flows: An In-Depth Guide to Accounting for Inventory in Business Operations...

12. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets

4.5

(341)

Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...

13. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study

4.8

(268)

Learn theory and practical concepts in Cost Accounting and Financial Management with loads of video lectures...

14. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

15. Financial Accounting-Inventory & Merchandising Transactions

4.8

(267)

Mastering Inventory Accounting: From Merchandising Transactions to Cost Flow Assumptions...

16. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

4.6

(930)

Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

17. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...

18. Inventory Management in Manufacturing

4.6

(417)

Complete course on Inventory Management...

19. Complete Tally ERP 9-GST Course with Live Project of Clients

4.2

(353)

Learn Tally ERP 9 with live Accounts of a Business Covering its Accounting, Payroll, GST, Banking, Inventory System...

20. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries

4.4

(1,649)

Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...

Top 10 most affordable universities for plant controllers

The most affordable schools for plant controllers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, usf sarasota-manatee, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for plant controllers 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 plant controllers.

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. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for plant controllers

The hardest universities for plant controllers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for plant controllers 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 plant controllers 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

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. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for plant controllers

The easiest schools for plant controllers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a plant controller 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 plant controllers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average plant controller salary by education level

According to our data, plant controllers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $126,327 annually. Plant controllers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $121,139.

Plant controller education level	Plant controller salary
Master's Degree	$121,139
High School Diploma or Less	$90,108
Bachelor's Degree	$108,039
Doctorate Degree	$126,327
Some College/ Associate Degree	$90,098

Plant controller education FAQs

What is the best college for Plant Controllers?

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

Search for plant controller jobs

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

Browse executive management jobs