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Squad boss education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a squad boss. Squad bosses usually study fire science and protection, business, or science, technology, and society. 40% of squad bosses hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 177 real squad boss resumes to see exactly what squad boss education sections show.

The most common colleges for squad bosses are the University of Oregon and the University of Oregon.

There are also many online squad boss courses to help get the education required to be a squad boss.

What education do you need to become a squad boss?

What degree do you need to be a squad boss?

The most common degree for squad bosses is bachelor's degree, with 40% of squad bosses earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 28% and high school diploma degree at 20%.
  • Bachelor's, 40%
  • High School Diploma, 28%
  • Associate, 20%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a squad boss?

You should major in fire science and protection to become a squad boss. 25% of squad bosses major in fire science and protection. Other common majors for a squad boss include business and science, technology, and society.

Most common colleges for squad bosses

Squad bosses often get their degrees at University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Boise State University. Here are the most common colleges for squad bosses in the US based on their resumes.
Squad boss common collegePercentages
University of Oregon18.42%
Oregon State University15.79%
Boise State University7.89%
Shasta College5.26%
Willamette University5.26%

Best majors for squad bosses

Best colleges for squad bosses

The best colleges for squad bosses are Providence College, Saint Thomas University, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

A squad boss with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for squad bosses. 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 squad bosses.

1. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

3. Providence College

Providence, RI • Private

In-state tuition

$50,528

Enrollment

4,079

4. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,270

Enrollment

12,852

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Enrollment

24,163

6. Worldwide Campus

Daytona Beach, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$9,360

Enrollment

10,254

7. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$35,814

Enrollment

5,925

8. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

9. Lewis University

Romeoville, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$32,450

Enrollment

4,217

10. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$31,830

Enrollment

986

20 best online courses for squad bosses

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Top 10 most affordable universities for squad bosses

The most affordable schools for squad bosses are John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York, brigham young university - idaho, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for squad bosses 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 squad bosses.

1. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,270

Cost of attendance

14,177

2. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

6. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$31,830

Cost of attendance

41,512

7. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Oshkosh, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$7,621

Cost of attendance

18,612

8. Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$12,951

Cost of attendance

25,686

9. Worldwide Campus

Daytona Beach, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$9,360

Cost of attendance

22,944

10. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Cost of attendance

17,330

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for squad bosses

The hardest universities for squad bosses to get into are Providence College, Saint Thomas University, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Some great schools for squad bosses 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 squad bosses 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. Providence College

Providence, RI • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,294

2. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,031

3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,124

4. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

5. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,362

7. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

8. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

9. Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,037

10. Salem State University

Salem, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,065

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for squad bosses

The easiest schools for squad bosses to get into are Saint Thomas University, lindenwood university, and salem state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a squad boss 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 squad bosses.

1. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,031

2. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

3. Salem State University

Salem, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,065

4. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,124

5. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

6. Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,037

7. Providence College

Providence, RI • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,294

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Albany State University

Albany, GA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

865

10. Eastern Oregon University

La Grande, OR • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,045

Average squad boss salary by education level

According to our data, squad bosses with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $46,911 annually. Squad bosses with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $40,131.
Squad boss education levelSquad boss salary
High School Diploma or Less$35,822
Bachelor's Degree$46,911
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,131

Squad boss education FAQs

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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.

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