Senior contracts negotiator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior contracts negotiator. Senior contracts negotiators usually study business, law, or communication. 66% of senior contracts negotiators hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 662 real senior contracts negotiator resumes to see exactly what senior contracts negotiator education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior contracts negotiators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online senior contracts negotiator courses to help get the education required to be a senior contracts negotiator.

What education do you need to become a senior contracts negotiator?

What degree do you need to be a senior contracts negotiator?

The most common degree for senior contracts negotiators is bachelor's degree, with 66% of senior contracts negotiators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 66%

Master's, 14%

Doctorate, 9%

Associate, 6%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a senior contracts negotiator?

You should major in business to become a senior contracts negotiator. 35% of senior contracts negotiators major in business. Other common majors for a senior contracts negotiator include law and communication.

Business, 35%

Law, 11%

Communication, 7%

Political Science, 6%

Other Majors, 41%

Most common colleges for senior contracts negotiators

Senior contracts negotiators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Southern California, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Here are the most common colleges for senior contracts negotiators in the US based on their resumes.

Senior contracts negotiator common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	12.50%
University of Southern California	7.95%
University of California, Santa Barbara	6.82%
University of Kansas	5.68%
San Francisco State University	5.68%

Show more common senior contracts negotiator colleges

Best majors for senior contracts negotiators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	34.6%
2	Law	10.5%
3	Communication	6.9%
4	Political Science	6.2%
5	Finance	5.9%

Show more common senior contracts negotiator majors

Best colleges for senior contracts negotiators

The best colleges for senior contracts negotiators are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A senior contracts negotiator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior contracts negotiators. 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 senior contracts negotiators.

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. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

8. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

20 best online courses for senior contracts negotiators

Advertising disclosure

1. American Contract Law II

Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:...

2. Contract Management: Managing Contractual Risks

4.2

(295)

How to identify and deal with contract risks...

3. Learning Business Contracts for Beginners

4.5

(2,448)

An Introductory Guide to Drafting Winning Contracts, Negotiating Well, and Getting What You Want...

4. Essentials of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

4.3

(479)

The Who, What, When, Where, and How of the World's Most Common Business Contract...

5. Introduction to Contract Management

4.4

(1,511)

Understand what is involved in the contract management process and put this knowledge to work with confidence...

6. Contracts Management in Construction Projects

4.3

(730)

Contracts Management, Contract Administration, FIDIC, Bank Guarantees, Contracts, Letter Drafting, Quantity Surveying...

7. Successful Negotiation: Master Your Negotiating Skills

4.6

(21,322)

Master negotiation with these negotiating tips...

8. The complete course on the Indian Contract Act, 1872

4.6

(396)

Law of Contract in India as under Indian Contract Act, 1872...

9. [2023] Negotiating: Become a Better Negotiator in 70 Minutes

4.4

(2,815)

Used by Pay Pal, Oracle, Adidas & other successful firms. Boost your skills in B2B sales, contract negotiation, and more...

10. Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert

(443)

A comprehensive guide to Register, Search Opportunities, GSA, Certifications, Accounting, Marketing& Bidding to the feds...

11. The Art of Negotiation - Become a Master Negotiator

4.6

(1,507)

Negotiation Tactics. Negotiation Skills. Salary Negotiation. How to Negotiate. Contract Negotiation. Price Negotiation...

12. Complete Contract Management Bootcamp: Zero to Hero

4.4

(1,217)

Learn essential post-contract management principles and practices, and gain access to over 30 free MS tools...

13. Negotiation A-Z - Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator

(684)

Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. How To Get What You Want. Negotiating in Difficult Situations...

14. Negotiation Fundamentals: How To Negotiate Effectively

4.5

(5,443)

Learn The Techniques, Strategies & Styles To Become A Better Negotiator. Negotiation Fundamentals: Get Better Deals...

15. Negotiation Secrets for Master Negotiators

4.6

(3,821)

Master the 3 key tools that help you win(-win) your Negotiations (+practical negotiation exercise)...

16. Negotiation skills - The Complete Guide

4.5

(793)

The art of negotiation, tactics and strategies, cognitive biases, persuasion, influence, professional career...

17. Negotiation Skills: Become A Master Of Negotiation

4.4

(505)

Empower Your Success With Advanced Negotiation Tools & Techniques, Imparted by a World-Class Negotiator...

18. A Practical Approach to FIDIC Contracts

4.4

(292)

The interactive course is based on the FIDIC Approved Module 1 Workshop and introduces the FIDIC Suite of Contracts...

19. The Fundamentals of end-to-end Supply Chain Management

4.5

(1,524)

Supply Chain Management - Level 1: Introducing all the Key Components of a Supply Chain...

20. English for Business and Law - Contract Law

4.5

(552)

An English language course for business and law...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior contracts negotiators

The most affordable schools for senior contracts negotiators are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and florida international university.

If the best universities for senior contracts negotiators 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 senior contracts negotiators.

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. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

7. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$6,768

Cost of attendance

15,506

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior contracts negotiators

The hardest universities for senior contracts negotiators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for senior contracts negotiators 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 senior contracts negotiators 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 Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior contracts negotiators

The easiest schools for senior contracts negotiators to get into are Barry University, university of north texas at dallas, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior contracts negotiator 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 senior contracts negotiators.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

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. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

10. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

Average senior contracts negotiator salary by education level

Senior contracts negotiators with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $85,492 annually. With a Master's degree, senior contracts negotiators earn a median annual income of $83,470 compared to $73,033 for senior contracts negotiators with an Bachelor's degree.

Senior contracts negotiator education level	Senior contracts negotiator salary
Master's Degree	$83,470
Bachelor's Degree	$73,033
Doctorate Degree	$85,492
Some College/ Associate Degree	$60,128

Senior contracts negotiator education FAQs

What is the best college for Senior Contracts Negotiators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for senior contracts negotiator 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 business and financial jobs