Regional distribution manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a regional distribution manager. Regional distribution managers usually study business, management, or marketing. 74% of regional distribution managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 491 real regional distribution manager resumes to see exactly what regional distribution manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for regional distribution managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online regional distribution manager courses to help get the education required to be a regional distribution manager.

There are certain regional distribution manager certifications that you should consider. These regional distribution manager certifications include Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Master Project Manager (MPM).

What education do you need to become a regional distribution manager?

What degree do you need to be a regional distribution manager?

The most common degree for regional distribution managers is bachelor's degree, with 74% of regional distribution managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 74%

Associate, 12%

Master's, 10%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a regional distribution manager?

You should major in business to become a regional distribution manager. 43% of regional distribution managers major in business. Other common majors for a regional distribution manager include management and marketing.

Business, 43%

Management, 8%

Marketing, 7%

Supply Chain Management, 6%

Other Majors, 36%

Most common colleges for regional distribution managers

Regional distribution managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Arizona State University, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for regional distribution managers in the US based on their resumes.

Regional distribution manager common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	16.00%
Arizona State University	9.33%
Pennsylvania State University	8.00%
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	6.67%
Grand Valley State University	5.33%

Show more common regional distribution manager colleges

Best majors for regional distribution managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	42.8%
2	Management	8.2%
3	Marketing	7.4%
4	Supply Chain Management	5.9%
5	Psychology	5.2%

Show more common regional distribution manager majors

Best colleges for regional distribution managers

The best colleges for regional distribution managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A regional distribution 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 regional distribution 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 regional distribution managers.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

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. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for regional distribution managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Hotel Management: Distribution, Revenue and Demand Management

Market hospitality services, manage demand, and optimize revenue.\n\nThis Specialization covers the basics of hotel demand management, distribution, and revenue management. You’ll learn how e-commerce intermediaries such as online travel agencies are impacting the already-complex hospitality sector, and you’ll explore tools and techniques that will help you effectively market hospitality services and maximize business revenue in this new global industry landscape. In the final Capstone Project,...

2. Distributed Programming in Java

This course teaches learners (industry professionals and students) the fundamental concepts of Distributed Programming in the context of Java 8. Distributed programming enables developers to use multiple nodes in a data center to increase throughput and/or reduce latency of selected applications. By the end of this course, you will learn how to use popular distributed programming frameworks for Java programs, including Hadoop, Spark, Sockets, Remote Method Invocation (RMI), Multicast Sockets,...

3. SAP S/4HANA Sales (SD - Sales and Distribution)

4.5

(348)

The course covers both configuration and end-user processes for SAP S/4HANA Sales (Sales and Distribution)...

4. SAP S/4HANA Sales and Distribution

4.4

(278)

Make Sales Digital...

5. Electrical Power Distribution

This is an application-oriented course explaining the various aspects of power distribution, indoor and outdoor equipment up to 33kV. The course adopts a cross-disciplinary approach to ensure that the learners understand site execution, testing and commissioning. Throughout the course, safety aspects have been emphasized in every area of work. This course blends with conceptual knowledge covering the latest technological trends like SCADA & automation. This course helps learners know the...

6. Sales Operations/Management

Sales jobs span nearly every industry, from agribusiness and pharmaceuticals, to telecommunications and property management. And essential to sales is the management of the sales force. This course provides the knowledge and know how required for careers in sales management. Students are exposed to all facets of sales management, including organizing, selecting, training, motivating, supervising and compensating the sales force, territory management and administration and sales and expense...

7. Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing with Java

4.7

(2,569)

Learn Distributed Java Applications at Scale, Parallel Programming, Distributed Computing & Cloud Software Architecture...

8. SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) Super User Training

4.5

(1,311)

A complete Beginner and Intermediate SAP SD Training - Step by Step by guide, perform all the task in the SAP System in...

9. 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...

10. Supply Chain Management KPIs: Metrics Inventory Performance

4.5

(276)

Key Performance Indicators: Measure & Improve the Performance of your Supply Chain and Inventory Operations Management...

11. Supply Chain Management A-Z: Operations & Logistics Basics

4.5

(2,394)

Supply Chain Management Basics: An MBA style course to boost your career as a business operations & logistics manager...

12. SAP S/4HANA aATP - Sales & Distribution

4.4

(270)

SAP S/4 HANA Sales ATP...

13. The Operations Management Training Program

4.1

(748)

Learn how to design, plan, direct, and improve all the activities that transform resources into goods or services...

14. 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...

15. Distribution Power Engineering Fundamentals

(399)

Learn all about the Power Distribution System and how to design it!...

16. SAP SD (Sales & Distribution) - Configuration and End User

4.4

(482)

The course covers both configuration and end-user processes for SAP SD Module...

17. The Complete B2B Sales Masterclass: 6 Courses in 1

(413)

1. Generate Leads, 2. Pitch, 3. Close & Handle Any Objection: Get Certified in Cutting Edge, Non-Pushy B2B Sales System...

18. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

4.4

(357)

Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...

19. Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film

4.8

(995)

Skip Film School! Learn to be a Film Director and Distribute Your Movie Around the World...

20. Supply Chain Management: Inventory Management and Control

4.5

(656)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for regional distribution managers

The most affordable schools for regional distribution managers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for regional distribution 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 regional distribution managers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for regional distribution managers

The hardest universities for regional distribution managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for regional distribution 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 regional distribution 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for regional distribution managers

The easiest schools for regional distribution managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a regional distribution 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 regional distribution 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. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

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. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average regional distribution manager salary by education level

Regional distribution managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $200,220 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, regional distribution managers earn a median annual income of $151,701 compared to $121,261 for regional distribution managers with an Associate degree.

Regional distribution manager education level	Regional distribution manager salary
Master's Degree	$200,220
High School Diploma or Less	$113,952
Bachelor's Degree	$151,701
Some College/ Associate Degree	$121,261

Regional distribution manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Regional Distribution Managers?

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

Search for regional distribution manager 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