State trooper education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a state trooper?

You need an associate's degree in typically criminal justice to be a state trooper. Although, states have different requirements, and not all require a degree. Most states require, at minimum, an associate's degree. While most states require a minimum of an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree is preferred. It is also suggested that even though your degree doesn't have to be in criminal justice, it is more desirable. Some states will accept field-related experiences, such as police officers, veterans, and reserves. Prospective troopers must attend the training academy, which entails physical fitness and classroom training. This training can last up to 24 weeks. The training academy to become a state trooper incorporates physical fitness training and classroom instruction. The academy prepares candidates for every aspect of the law for firearms, emergencies, civil laws, and so much more. Troopers must also pass physical and psychological tests, background checks, and a polygraph. The requirements to be a state trooper are very demanding. When you look at percentages, 55% of state troopers have a bachelor's degree, and 27% have an associate's degree. Only 7% have just a high school diploma. So, if you want to be competitive in becoming a state trooper, it would be in your best interest to get your degree.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a state trooper. State troopers usually study criminal justice, law enforcement, or business. 56% of state troopers hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,074 real state trooper resumes to see exactly what state trooper education sections show.

The most common colleges for state troopers are the University of South Carolina - Columbia and the University of South Carolina - Columbia.

There are also many online state trooper courses to help get the education required to be a state trooper.

What education do you need to become a state trooper?

What degree do you need to be a state trooper?

The most common degree for state troopers is bachelor's degree, with 56% of state troopers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 56%

Associate, 27%

High School Diploma, 8%

Master's, 6%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a state trooper?

You should major in criminal justice to become a state trooper. 48% of state troopers major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a state trooper include law enforcement and business.

Criminal Justice, 48%

Law Enforcement, 10%

Business, 9%

Law, 4%

Other Majors, 29%

Most common colleges for state troopers

State troopers often get their degrees at University of South Carolina - Columbia, Seton Hall University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Here are the most common colleges for state troopers in the US based on their resumes.

State trooper common college	Percentages
University of South Carolina - Columbia	10.64%
Seton Hall University	7.45%
Indiana University of Pennsylvania	6.38%
Miami Dade College	6.38%
Texas State University	6.38%

Show more common state trooper colleges

Best majors for state troopers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	47.8%
2	Law Enforcement	9.9%
3	Business	9.4%
4	Law	3.8%
5	Psychology	3.5%

Show more common state trooper majors

Best colleges for state troopers

The best colleges for state troopers are Northeastern University, Boston University, and Stanford University.

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

1. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

2. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,853

Enrollment

14,759

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for state troopers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for state troopers

The most affordable schools for state troopers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for state troopers 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 state troopers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

9. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for state troopers

The hardest universities for state troopers to get into are Northeastern University, Boston University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for state troopers 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 state troopers 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

8. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

9. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

10. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for state troopers

The easiest schools for state troopers to get into are Notre Dame College, nyack college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a state trooper 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 state troopers.

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average state trooper salary by education level

State troopers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $44,755 annually. With a Doctorate degree, state troopers earn a median annual income of $44,029 compared to $42,662 for state troopers with an Bachelor's degree.

State trooper education level	State trooper salary
Master's Degree	$44,755
High School Diploma or Less	$37,891
Bachelor's Degree	$42,662
Doctorate Degree	$44,029
Some College/ Associate Degree	$40,794

State trooper education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a state trooper?

What is the best college for State Troopers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common protective service questions.

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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

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