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Program manager-acquisitions education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a program manager-acquisitions. Program managers-acquisitions usually study business, management, or communication. 69% of program managers-acquisitions hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 390 real program manager-acquisitions resumes to see exactly what program manager-acquisitions education sections show.

The most common colleges for program managers-acquisitions are the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.

There are also many online program manager-acquisitions courses to help get the education required to be a program manager-acquisitions.

What education do you need to become a program manager-acquisitions?

What degree do you need to be a program manager-acquisitions?

The most common degree for program managers-acquisitions is bachelor's degree, with 69% of program managers-acquisitions earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Master's, 20%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 0%

What should I major in to become a program manager-acquisitions?

You should major in business to become a program manager-acquisitions. 29% of program managers-acquisitions major in business. Other common majors for a program manager-acquisitions include management and communication.

Most common colleges for program managers-acquisitions

Program managers-acquisitions often get their degrees at United States Air Force Academy, George Washington University, The, and Harvard University. Here are the most common colleges for program managers-acquisitions in the US based on their resumes.
Program manager-acquisitions common collegePercentages
United States Air Force Academy12.16%
George Washington University, The8.11%
Harvard University6.76%
Auburn University Main Campus6.76%
University of Maryland - College Park6.76%

Best majors for program managers-acquisitions

Best colleges for program managers-acquisitions

The best colleges for program managers-acquisitions are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A program manager-acquisitions with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for program managers-acquisitions. 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 program managers-acquisitions.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

8. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

20 best online courses for program managers-acquisitions

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1. Digital Project Management

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3. Mergers & Acquisitions - M & A, Valuation & Selling a Company

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Mergers and Acquisitions - Step by Step M & A, Company Valuation, Negotiation Skills, Business Plans and Finance...

4. The Complete Mergers & Acquisitions Master Class!

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Your Comprehensive Guide to become an Expert of M & A in a very dynamic globalized Business World, ACE THE DEAL!...

5. Advanced Financial Accounting: Acquisitions & Consolidations

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Acquisitions, Consolidations, and Reporting. Master complex concepts and applications...

6. M & A for Management Consultants & Business Analysts

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A practical guide on how to do analyses during mergers & acquisition projects...

7. Program Management Course - Program Manager Essentials

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In this Program Management course you will learn the essentials and more to become an effective Program Manager...

8. Program Management Fundamentals: The Essentials

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In this course you will learn the essentials of program management. Become your bosses boss start this course today...

9. Real Estate Acquisitions 101

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10. The Risk Management Certification Program (PMI-RMP) (PMBOK7)

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Planning Risk Management, Identifying Risk, Analyzing Risk and Responding to Risk by PMBOK6 (PMBOK7 Updated)...

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Learn how to interview for program manager roles at tech companies...

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14. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers

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15. Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMP)

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4.2
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Your Guide to the Gold Standard of Project Management Certifications (PMI-PMP) (PMBOK7 updated) (40 PDUs minimum)...

16. The Agile Methodology for Project Risk Managers

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The Agile Project Management and Risk Management for Project Professionals Full Course...

17. Warehouse Management in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

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Warehouse Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management, Warehouse Inventory Management in Logistics and Supply Chain...

18. Technical Program Management

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This is a course designed for individuals looking to learn about the Technical Program Management (TPM) discipline...

19. Master Course in Project Management 2.0

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4.2
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Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...

20. Project Management Fundamentals: Risk Management

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Without risk, there can be no reward. Learn how to your risks it into your allies...

Top 10 most affordable universities for program managers-acquisitions

The most affordable schools for program managers-acquisitions are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for program managers-acquisitions 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 program managers-acquisitions.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

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 program managers-acquisitions

The hardest universities for program managers-acquisitions to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for program managers-acquisitions 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 program managers-acquisitions 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for program managers-acquisitions

The easiest schools for program managers-acquisitions to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a program manager-acquisitions 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 program managers-acquisitions.

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. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

9. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

10. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

Average program manager-acquisitions salary by education level

Program managers-acquisitions with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $127,500 annually. With a Master's degree, program managers-acquisitions earn a median annual income of $120,935 compared to $108,394 for program managers-acquisitions with an Bachelor's degree.
Program manager-acquisitions education levelProgram manager-acquisitions salary
Master's Degree$120,935
High School Diploma or Less$86,225
Bachelor's Degree$108,394
Doctorate Degree$127,500
Some College/ Associate Degree$90,434

Program manager-acquisitions education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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