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Property manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a property manager. Property managers usually study business, accounting, or real estate. 50% of property managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 94,636 real property manager resumes to see exactly what property manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for property managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online property manager courses to help get the education required to be a property manager.
There are certain property manager certifications that you should consider. These property manager certifications include Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).
What education do you need to become a property manager?
What degree do you need to be a property manager?
- Bachelor's, 50%
- Associate, 23%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a property manager?
- Business, 37%
- Accounting, 6%
- Real Estate, 6%
- Psychology, 5%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for property managers
| Property manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 26.87% |
| Florida State University | 5.15% |
| Strayer University | 4.72% |
| Ashford University | 4.60% |
| Western Washington University | 4.28% |
Best majors for property managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 37.2% |
| 2 | Accounting | 6.4% |
| 3 | Real Estate | 6.2% |
| 4 | Psychology | 5.4% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 4.4% |
Best colleges for property managers
The best colleges for property managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A property 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 property 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 property managers.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
5. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ • Private
In-state tuition
$10,822
Enrollment
42,529
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for property managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry
This course begins with an overview of general intellectual property law in the United States, then examines how the policy choices behind those laws shapes the behavior of major players in the healthcare industry. We will examine how patents and trademarks shape the behavior of pharmaceutical companies, and how complex issues involving medical research in university settings, and ownership of genetic information and material, are resolved by intellectual property laws. The course concludes...
2. Introduction to Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world, with the world’s most valuable intellectual property assets dwarfing the value of their real-world counterparts. Apple’ trademarked brand was valued at over $100 billion as of 2017. J.K. Rowling’s Harry potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date. But how did the law come to create such enormous value in intangible assets? This course will introduce the various types of U.S. intellectual property: patents, which cover...
3. Property Management 101
Learn the basics of managing rental property and becoming a landlord...
4. Fundamentals of Residential Property Management
Understand the foundation of residential property management as a property manager or landlord...
5. Hardening, Polymers, Properties
This course will introduce age hardening and how to use a phase diagram to identify an alloy that is eligible for age hardening. The key factors that affect nucleation and crystal growth will be investigated. In addition, an introduction to polymer science will be given. The key differences between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers will be introduced. Strengthening mechanisms will be introduced. We explore what happens to the properties of a polymer as you increase or decrease the extent...
6. Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world. The pharmaceutical patent for Lipitor generated over $100 billion in revenue, the copyright for the Harry Potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date, and the trademarked brands of the world’s largest tech companies now eclipse $100 billion in value. But what makes these intangible assets so valuable?\n\nThrough the courses in this specialization, you will learn the differences between the various forms of U.S. intellectual...
7. Effectively Lease Commercial Real Estate Properties
Learn how to lease industrial, office, and retail properties with ease...
8. Intro to Analyzing Rental Income Properties
Learn the fundamentals of investment analysis specifically for rental income property investments...
9. TypeScript String Properties and Methods
This project will teach you TypeScript string properties and methods in the TypeScript playground which will make string handling easier.Since text data is commonly used as a “string” in TypeScript, the ability to use and manipulate strings is a core component of TypeScript programming. So in this guided project you are going to learn different string properties and methods which are important for string manipulation operations. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the...
10. Shape and Property Control of Metals I & II
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of shaping materials and their impacts on properties and structure. An introduction to the fundamentals of diffusion in a solid follows. We present different types of diffusion mechanisms and their dependence on temperature. The role of dislocation on mechanical properties and how it can be used to strengthen materials will be shown...
11. U.S. Residential Real Estate, Property & Mortgage Business
Property & Mortgage Underwriting Loan Processing Financial Analysis Mortgage Operations Origination...
12. Intellectual Property Security Awareness
How to Use Social Media without Infringing on Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Patents...
13. Federal Taxation II: Property Transactions of Business Owners and Shareholders
This course examines the U.S. federal tax system as it relates to property transactions of business owners and shareholders. Topics include cost recovery, such as depreciation, amortization, and depletion; calculation of realized versus recognized gains and losses; evaluation of the potential tax effects of nontaxable exchanges; and the combining, or netting, gains and losses that are different in nature. Assignments facilitate self-discovery of knowledge and development of a variety of...
14. Real Estate Asset Management 101
Real Estate Asset Management Training From Acquisition, To Ownership, Through Sale For Profitable Real Estate Investing...
15. The Commercial Real Estate Lease Modeling Master Class
The Complete Step-By-Step Guide To Building Dynamic Commercial Real Estate Lease Models in Microsoft Excel...
16. The Complete Guide To Retail Real Estate Investing
How To Analyze & Invest in Retail Shopping Centers, Strip Centers, and Single-Tenant Net-Leased Retail Properties...
17. Real Estate Acquisitions 101
How To Identify Commercial Properties, Run Due Diligence, Raise Capital, and Close Commercial Real Estate Transactions...
18. The Complete Guide To Analyzing Single Family Rental Homes
How To Analyze and Evaluate Single Family Rental Property Acquisition Opportunities...
19. Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments
Learn professional investment analysis techniques for real estate investing in residential and commercial properties...
20. Certificate course in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
This course has been designed by experts to cover the basics of IPR and understand Patents, Trademarks and Copyright...
Top 10 most affordable universities for property managers
The most affordable schools for property managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for property 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 property managers.
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for property managers
The hardest universities for property managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for property 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 property 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for property managers
The easiest schools for property managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and la roche college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a property 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 property managers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
7. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
Average property manager salary by education level
| Property manager education level | Property manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $63,278 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $48,157 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $56,470 |
| Doctorate Degree | $63,947 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,733 |
Property manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025