Post job

Senior property manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior property manager. Senior property managers usually study business, real estate, or accounting. 64% of senior property managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,029 real senior property manager resumes to see exactly what senior property manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior property managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain senior property manager certifications that you should consider. These senior property manager certifications include Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).

What education do you need to become a senior property manager?

What degree do you need to be a senior property manager?

The most common degree for senior property managers is bachelor's degree, with 64% of senior property managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 64%
  • Associate, 17%
  • Master's, 9%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a senior property manager?

You should major in business to become a senior property manager. 40% of senior property managers major in business. Other common majors for a senior property manager include real estate and accounting.

Most common colleges for senior property managers

Senior property managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, New York University, and Florida State University. Here are the most common colleges for senior property managers in the US based on their resumes.
Senior property manager common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix21.33%
New York University7.11%
Florida State University6.67%
Temple University4.89%
Florida International University4.89%

Best majors for senior property managers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business40.1%
2Real Estate9.2%
3Accounting6.1%
4Marketing4.9%
5Management4.7%

Best colleges for senior property managers

The best colleges for senior property managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A senior 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 senior 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 senior 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 senior property managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Intellectual Property

coursera

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...

2. Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry

coursera

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...

3. Property Management 101

udemy
4.4
(773)

Learn the basics of managing rental property and becoming a landlord...

4. Effectively Lease Commercial Real Estate Properties

udemy
4.6
(266)

Learn how to lease industrial, office, and retail properties with ease...

5. Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19

coursera

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a high risk for senior housing communities and the people who live and work there. The COVID-19 response has largely focused on nursing homes, leaving independent living communities serving older adults in the United States with fragmented guidance on how to respond to COVID-19 challenges. This course provides comprehensive instruction and resources for property owners and managers, senior housing staff, service coordinators and providers,...

6. Intellectual Property Law

coursera

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. Fundamentals of Residential Property Management

udemy
4
(490)

Understand the foundation of residential property management as a property manager or landlord...

8. Real Estate Asset Management 101

udemy
4.6
(1,625)

Real Estate Asset Management Training From Acquisition, To Ownership, Through Sale For Profitable Real Estate Investing...

9. TypeScript String Properties and Methods

coursera

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. U.S. Residential Real Estate, Property & Mortgage Business

udemy
4.6
(2,324)

Property & Mortgage Underwriting Loan Processing Financial Analysis Mortgage Operations Origination...

11. Intro to Analyzing Rental Income Properties

udemy
4.5
(1,803)

Learn the fundamentals of investment analysis specifically for rental income property investments...

12. Intellectual Property Security Awareness

udemy
4.8
(651)

How to Use Social Media without Infringing on Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Patents...

13. The Complete Guide To Retail Real Estate Investing

udemy
4.9
(295)

How To Analyze & Invest in Retail Shopping Centers, Strip Centers, and Single-Tenant Net-Leased Retail Properties...

14. IT Project Budget & Cost Management

udemy
4.4
(290)

Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...

15. Real Estate Acquisitions 101

udemy
4.7
(1,176)

How To Identify Commercial Properties, Run Due Diligence, Raise Capital, and Close Commercial Real Estate Transactions...

16. The Commercial Real Estate Lease Modeling Master Class

udemy
4.7
(441)

The Complete Step-By-Step Guide To Building Dynamic Commercial Real Estate Lease Models in Microsoft Excel...

17. The Guide To Office & Industrial Real Estate Investing

udemy
4.9
(296)

How To Analyze Office and Industrial Real Estate Investments For Smarter Investing...

18. Mastering Construction/Project Management

udemy
4.2
(659)

Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...

19. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets

udemy
4.5
(341)

Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...

20. Practical Project Portfolio Management

udemy
4.4
(796)

Selecting & Managing The Right Projects...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior property managers

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

If the best universities for senior 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 senior 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 senior property managers

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

Some great schools for senior 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 senior 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 senior property managers

The easiest schools for senior 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 senior 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 senior 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 senior property manager salary by education level

Senior property managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $95,501 annually. With a Master's degree, senior property managers earn a median annual income of $94,351 compared to $82,759 for senior property managers with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior property manager education levelSenior property manager salary
Master's Degree$94,351
High School Diploma or Less$68,892
Bachelor's Degree$82,759
Doctorate Degree$95,501
Some College/ Associate Degree$71,495

Senior property manager education FAQs

Search for senior property manager jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse executive management jobs