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Special events fundraiser education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a special events fundraiser. Special events fundraisers usually study management, psychology, or public relations. 74% of special events fundraisers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 36 real special events fundraiser resumes to see exactly what special events fundraiser education sections show.
The most common colleges for special events fundraisers are the Johnson & Wales University and the Johnson & Wales University.
There are also many online special events fundraiser courses to help get the education required to be a special events fundraiser.
What education do you need to become a special events fundraiser?
What degree do you need to be a special events fundraiser?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 11%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a special events fundraiser?
- Management, 15%
- Psychology, 11%
- Public Relations, 11%
- Other Majors, 59%
Most common colleges for special events fundraisers
| Special events fundraiser common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University | 9.09% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 9.09% |
| Western Washington University | 4.55% |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | 4.55% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 4.55% |
Best majors for special events fundraisers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Management | 14.8% |
| 2 | Psychology | 11.1% |
| 3 | Public Relations | 11.1% |
| 4 | Public Administration | 3.7% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 3.7% |
Best colleges for special events fundraisers
The best colleges for special events fundraisers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and University of Southern California.
A special events fundraiser with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for special events fundraisers. 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 special events fundraisers.
1. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for special events fundraisers
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Top 10 most affordable universities for special events fundraisers
The most affordable schools for special events fundraisers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and florida state university.
If the best universities for special events fundraisers 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 special events fundraisers.
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for special events fundraisers
The hardest universities for special events fundraisers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for special events fundraisers 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 special events fundraisers 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
9. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for special events fundraisers
The easiest schools for special events fundraisers to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a special events fundraiser 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 special events fundraisers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
9. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average special events fundraiser salary by education level
| Special events fundraiser education level | Special events fundraiser salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $59,746 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $56,081 |
Special events fundraiser education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025