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Project manager/design manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a project manager/design manager. Project manager/design managers usually study architecture, graphic design, or interior design. 65% of project manager/design managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 5,344 real project manager/design manager resumes to see exactly what project manager/design manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for project manager/design managers are the University of Houston and the University of Houston.
There are also many online project manager/design manager courses to help get the education required to be a project manager/design manager.
There are certain project manager/design manager certifications that you should consider. These project manager/design manager certifications include Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) and National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ).
What education do you need to become a project manager/design manager?
What degree do you need to be a project manager/design manager?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 19%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a project manager/design manager?
- Architecture, 19%
- Graphic Design, 12%
- Interior Design, 11%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for project manager/design managers
| Project manager/design manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Houston | 7.01% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 6.56% |
| New York Institute of Technology | 6.56% |
| Purdue University | 6.11% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.43% |
Best majors for project manager/design managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture | 18.9% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 11.8% |
| 3 | Interior Design | 10.9% |
| 4 | Drafting And Design | 8.7% |
| 5 | Business | 8.4% |
Best colleges for project manager/design managers
The best colleges for project manager/design managers are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
A project manager/design manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for project manager/design managers. 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 project manager/design managers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$53,391
Enrollment
8,568
7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
20 best online courses for project manager/design managers
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1. Mastering Construction/Project Management
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2. Construction Cost Estimating and Management
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3. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
4. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
5. Project Management Course: Master Project Scope Management
Practical guide to scope development and management - Project Management Certification (PMP, CAPM) Training [Earn 11PDU]...
6. Project Management Essentials
A crash course in the essentials of project management for new project managers...
7. Project Management: Master Project Management - PMP/PMI
Master Project Management using this practical certification course...
8. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
9. Project Management: Simple Software Project Management
Project Management for NEW Project Managers - knowledge, tools, techniques, skills, checklists, guidelines, pitfalls...
10. Construction Procurement Management
A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...
11. Project Management Fundamentals
Practical Project Management worked example using Gantt Charts, PMI, PMP, APM...
12. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
13. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.
Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...
14. Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One
Project Management: Growing a Successful Career as a Project Manager...
15. Project Management: Getting Started and Beyond
Real World Project Management: Become a Better Project Manager...
16. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
17. Project Management: Becoming a Successful Project manager
Project Management...
18. Master Course in Project Management 2.0
Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...
19. Project Management Fundamentals: Run projects effectively
Learn how to effectively analyze, plan, execute, and manage projects that consistently accomplish company objectives...
20. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
Top 10 most affordable universities for project manager/design managers
The most affordable schools for project manager/design managers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for project manager/design managers 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 project manager/design managers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for project manager/design managers
The hardest universities for project manager/design managers to get into are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for project manager/design managers 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 project manager/design managers 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for project manager/design managers
The easiest schools for project manager/design managers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, wayland baptist university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a project manager/design manager 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 project manager/design managers.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Pennsylvania State University - Worthington Scranton
Dunmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,056
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average project manager/design manager salary by education level
| Project manager/design manager education level | Project manager/design manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $98,575 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $76,755 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $92,400 |
| Doctorate Degree | $90,385 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $80,184 |
Project manager/design manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025