Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Resident advisor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a resident advisor. Resident advisors usually study psychology, business, or criminal justice. 74% of resident advisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 17,173 real resident advisor resumes to see exactly what resident advisor education sections show.
The most common colleges for resident advisors are the George Mason University and the George Mason University.
There are also many online resident advisor courses to help get the education required to be a resident advisor.
There are certain resident advisor certifications that you should consider. These resident advisor certifications include Advanced First Aid & CPR and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
What education do you need to become a resident advisor?
What degree do you need to be a resident advisor?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Master's, 6%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a resident advisor?
- Psychology, 17%
- Business, 13%
- Criminal Justice, 8%
- Biology, 7%
- Other Majors, 55%
Most common colleges for resident advisors
| Resident advisor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| George Mason University | 7.30% |
| James Madison University | 7.17% |
| Ohio State University | 6.65% |
| Bowling Green State University | 6.45% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 5.80% |
Best majors for resident advisors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 17.3% |
| 2 | Business | 13.4% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 8.2% |
| 4 | Biology | 6.9% |
| 5 | Communication | 6.2% |
Best colleges for resident advisors
The best colleges for resident advisors are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A resident advisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for resident advisors. 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 resident advisors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
3. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
7. SUNY College at Oswego
Oswego, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,440
Enrollment
7,039
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for resident advisors
Advertising disclosure
1. Crisis Communications
Crisis Communications is designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and respond to crisis situations through interviews...
2. Technical Communication
An engineering leader spends a majority of their day interacting with others. Indeed, studies repeatedly point to the impact communication skills have on the ability of managerial leaders to succeed or fail. Too often, individuals move into managerial leadership roles without an awareness of the need to improve in this area. This specialization focuses on skills such as listening, counseling, non-verbals, mentoring, coaching, building trust, providing feedback, writing, and presentation skills...
3. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
4. Conscious Business: Building Positive Relationships
Chapter 1: Create fulfilling relationships, communicate with authenticity, effectively deal with any conflict situation...
5. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...
6. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
7. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...
8. Complete Guide to Conflict Management in the Workplace
Conflict management: learn conflict resolution skills & effective listening, communication & problem solving techniques...
9. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
10. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
11. Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better
Become an Effective Communicator And Learn How to Get Your Message Across By Learning Communication Fundamentals...
12. Become a Master at Conflict Management at Home or Work
Conflict Resolution Emotional Intelligence Difficult Conversations Negotiating Active Listening Influencing...
13. Communication Skills PLUS Leadership - 2 in 1 Masterclass
Learn Communication & Leadership Skills For Inspiration, Success In Life, Work PLUS Interviews, Case Studies, Activities...
14. Assertive Communication Skills Masterclass
Assertive Communication Skills for Business & Social Life. Speak Confidently. Set Boundaries. Difficult conversations...
15. Managing conflict with skill and confidence
Understanding conflict and resolving disagreements with confidence at work and in life...
16. Top 10 EURUSD Expert Advisors - Forex Algorithmic Trading
Get 50 EURUSD EAs Every Month and Learn How to Trade the Best EURUSD Expert Advisors for Forex Algorithmic Trading...
17. NLP communication techniques
Neuro-Linguistic Programming, NLP communication, communicate more effectively, better listen, understand and influence...
18. Versatile Communication Skills - The Art of Engagement
Powerful, practical, communication skills that drive engagement & build effective professional & personal relationships...
19. Preventing and Surviving an Active Shooter Incident
Active Shooter/Violent Intruder Prevention and Response...
20. The Complete Communication Skills Master Class for Life
Communication Skills for Persuasion, Assertiveness and All Business Communication Needs...
Top 10 most affordable universities for resident advisors
The most affordable schools for resident advisors are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for resident advisors 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 resident advisors.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for resident advisors
The hardest universities for resident advisors to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for resident advisors 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 resident advisors 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for resident advisors
The easiest schools for resident advisors to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a resident advisor 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 resident advisors.
1. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
6. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
7. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
8. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
Average resident advisor salary by education level
| Resident advisor education level | Resident advisor salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $23,946 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $27,148 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $27,534 |
Resident advisor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.
Search for resident advisor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025