Sales and event manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a sales and event manager. Sales and event managers usually study business, hospitality management, or communication. 77% of sales and event managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,434 real sales and event manager resumes to see exactly what sales and event manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for sales and event managers are the Johnson & Wales University and the Johnson & Wales University.

There are also many online sales and event manager courses to help get the education required to be a sales and event manager.

There are certain sales and event manager certifications that you should consider. These sales and event manager certifications include Certified Manager Certification (CM) and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).

What education do you need to become a sales and event manager?

What degree do you need to be a sales and event manager?

The most common degree for sales and event managers is bachelor's degree, with 77% of sales and event managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 13% and associate degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 77%

Associate, 13%

Master's, 4%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a sales and event manager?

You should major in business to become a sales and event manager. 21% of sales and event managers major in business. Other common majors for a sales and event manager include hospitality management and communication.

Business, 21%

Hospitality Management, 14%

Communication, 12%

Marketing, 9%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for sales and event managers

Sales and event managers often get their degrees at Johnson & Wales University, University of Phoenix, and University of Nevada - Las Vegas. Here are the most common colleges for sales and event managers in the US based on their resumes.

Sales and event manager common college	Percentages
Johnson & Wales University	13.60%
University of Phoenix	9.60%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas	7.20%
Florida State University	5.60%
Ohio University	5.20%

Show more common sales and event manager colleges

Best majors for sales and event managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	21.5%
2	Hospitality Management	13.9%
3	Communication	11.9%
4	Marketing	8.9%
5	Public Relations	5.4%

Show more common sales and event manager majors

Best colleges for sales and event managers

The best colleges for sales and event managers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

A sales and event 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 sales and event 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 sales and event managers.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,620

Enrollment

27,730

3. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

10. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

20 best online courses for sales and event managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Strategic Sales Management

This Specialization is intended for sales professionals who seek to improve their sales planning and management competencies and skills. Through five courses, you will cover Effective Sales overview, Sales Strategy, Models and Frameworks to Support Sales Planning, Sales & Marketing Alignment, and you will develop a Final Project.\n\nBy the end of this specialization, you'll have improved your knowledge, competencies, and skills regarding the sales planning process. And you will be able to apply...

2. 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...

3. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

4.7

(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

4. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

4.6

(584)

The Ultimate Sales Methodology for Business Development & B2B Sales to Learn Sales Strategy, Sales Skills & Deal Closing...

5. Management - Leadership, Negotiating, Assertiveness, Sales

4.5

(3,230)

A practical guide covering assertiveness, time management, leadership, negotiating, sales & project management...

6. Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley

4.5

(6,788)

The Complete Startup Playbook for Business Development & B2B Sales to learn Lead Generation, Pitching, & Closing Deals...

7. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management

4.4

(402)

Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...

8. 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...

9. Sales Skills: 9 Sales Training Courses In 1

4.4

(994)

Develop Extraordinary Sales Skills With The Ultimate Sales Training (Taught By 5 Top Sales Experts)...

10. Sales Training: Practical Sales Techniques

4.6

(23,968)

Sales Hacking: Essential sales skills, sales strategies and sales techniques to sell just about anything!...

11. Sales Training: How To Close More Sales

4.5

(1,734)

Closing Sales: Sales Training Course: Sales Skills; Selling Techniques; Sales Strategies for B2B, B2C Direct Sales...

12. Sales Machine: The Sales Training B2B Master Course

4.6

(4,040)

Learn Sales Strategies & Sales Techniques to Sell ANYTHING for Entrepreneurs, Startup, B2B Sales, & Business Development...

13. Sales Analysis for Management Consultants

4.6

(251)

A practical guide on how to improve sales and marketing of your customers during consulting projects like Mc Kinsey, BCG,...

14. Sales Training: Become A Sales Superstar

4.7

(262)

Develop Advanced Sales Skills To Sell Anything Like A Champ (Taught By A World-class Salesman)...

15. Sales Training Pro: The Complete Sales Presentation Course

4.6

(346)

Practical, Hands-on Sales Techniques and Tools to Effortlessly Engage your Customers In Your Sales Presentations...

16. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: LinkedIn's tool for B2B Sales

4.1

(393)

Linked In Sales Navigator best remote practices for the Linked In premium service for business development and B2B sales...

17. Sales Funnels Masterclass: Increase Sales With Sales Funnels

4.5

(599)

Learn to create highly converting sales, conduct professional email marketing & 10X your sales with sales funnel fast!...

18. Event Management for Beginners

4.5

(1,125)

Learn the process for creating great events...

19. Sales Skills & Negotiation Skills - Selling Masterclass

4.5

(1,744)

Learn How To Sell - Step By Step Guide To Self Development As A Sales Consultant - Structured Training For Beginners...

20. Sales Fundamentals

(791)

Learn how to sell with core, proven techniques that have generated millions in sales revenue...

Top 10 most affordable universities for sales and event managers

The most affordable schools for sales and event managers are USF Sarasota-Manatee, university of south florida, and florida state university.

If the best universities for sales and event 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 sales and event managers.

1. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

2. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sales and event managers

The hardest universities for sales and event managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for sales and event 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 sales and event 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sales and event managers

The easiest schools for sales and event managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, gwynedd mercy university, and mount saint mary's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sales and event 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 sales and event managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

10. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

Average sales and event manager salary by education level

Sales and event managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $63,432 annually. With a Doctorate degree, sales and event managers earn a median annual income of $60,308 compared to $56,875 for sales and event managers with an Bachelor's degree.

Sales and event manager education level	Sales and event manager salary
Master's Degree	$63,432
High School Diploma or Less	$44,769
Bachelor's Degree	$56,875
Doctorate Degree	$60,308
Some College/ Associate Degree	$44,738

Sales and event manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Sales And Event Managers?

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

Search for sales and event 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