Production controller education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a production controller. Production controllers usually study business, accounting, or management. 49% of production controllers hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,029 real production controller resumes to see exactly what production controller education sections show.

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

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

There are certain production controller certifications that you should consider. These production controller certifications include Operator Certification and Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM).

What education do you need to become a production controller?

What degree do you need to be a production controller?

The most common degree for production controllers is bachelor's degree, with 49% of production controllers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 25% and associate degree degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 49%

Associate, 25%

High School Diploma, 13%

Master's, 5%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a production controller?

You should major in business to become a production controller. 33% of production controllers major in business. Other common majors for a production controller include accounting and management.

Business, 33%

Accounting, 7%

Management, 6%

General Studies, 5%

Other Majors, 49%

Most common colleges for production controllers

Production controllers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Ashford University, and American University. Here are the most common colleges for production controllers in the US based on their resumes.

Production controller common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	22.45%
Ashford University	5.44%
American University	5.44%
Grantham University	5.44%
Georgia Institute of Technology	4.76%

Show more common production controller colleges

Best majors for production controllers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	32.7%
2	Accounting	6.6%
3	Management	6.1%
4	General Studies	5.4%
5	Computer Science	5.2%

Show more common production controller majors

Best colleges for production controllers

The best colleges for production controllers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.

A production 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 production 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 production controllers.

1. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Ball State University

Muncie, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,896

Enrollment

15,529

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,105

Enrollment

13,729

6. Cedar Crest College

Allentown, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$39,216

Enrollment

1,303

7. Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$7,900

Enrollment

6,404

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. University of Akron

Akron, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,463

Enrollment

13,676

20 best online courses for production controllers

Advertising disclosure

1. Simulation of KANBAN Production Control Using R Simmer

Understand Kanban Production Control Model Discrete Event Simulations Using R Simmer Capture Simulation Data, Plot Charts & Interpret Results...

2. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

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

3. SAP Controlling

4.4

(293)

SAP Controlling...

4. 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...

5. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

4.6

(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

6. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

7. Product and Service Management

4.7

(957)

Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...

8. The Hyper-Focus, Self-Control and Productivity Masterclass

4.7

(1,259)

Improve your personal productivity and effectiveness by applying proven strategies for focus mastery and self-discipline...

9. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

4.5

(3,822)

Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

10. SAP PP Production Planning (beginner to advanced level)

4.3

(459)

Master SAP PP (Production Planning) module with practical scenarios. Become SAP PP Consultant & prepare for SAP PP jobs...

11. SAP Finance and Controlling

(638)

Master SAP Finance and Controlling...

12. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)

4.6

(515)

Schedule Management: Monitor & Control Schedule, Analyze Schedule, Solve Project Schedule Problems Earn CPDs & PDUs...

13. SAP Production Planning (PP) Module Online Practical Class

4.5

(2,224)

Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP...

14. Supply Chain: Inventory Control & Safety Stock Calculation

4.5

(3,199)

Reduce Operational Cost by Optimizing in Inventory Levels...

15. Supply Chain Management: Inventory Management and Control

4.5

(656)

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

16. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

4.5

(645)

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

17. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management

4.4

(593)

Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...

18. 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...

19. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls

4.5

(1,915)

Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...

20. Product Management Marketing: Dekker's Product Marketing MBA

4.6

(2,007)

Be a Product Marketing Manager - Product Management : Product Manager MBA : Product to Market : Product Owner Launch GTM...

Top 10 most affordable universities for production controllers

The most affordable schools for production controllers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for production 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 production 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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

9. Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$6,768

Cost of attendance

15,506

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for production controllers

The hardest universities for production controllers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.

Some great schools for production 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 production 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

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

The easiest schools for production controllers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and lim college.

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

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,009

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average production controller salary by education level

Production controllers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $68,727 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, production controllers earn a median annual income of $59,452 compared to $53,882 for production controllers with an Associate degree.

Production controller education level	Production controller salary
Master's Degree	$68,727
High School Diploma or Less	$51,157
Bachelor's Degree	$59,452
Some College/ Associate Degree	$53,882

Production controller education FAQs

What is the best college for Production Controllers?

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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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