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Study abroad advisor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a study abroad advisor. Study abroad advisors usually study business, english, or communication. 80% of study abroad advisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,565 real study abroad advisor resumes to see exactly what study abroad advisor education sections show.

The most common colleges for study abroad advisors are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

There are also many online study abroad advisor courses to help get the education required to be a study abroad advisor.

What education do you need to become a study abroad advisor?

What degree do you need to be a study abroad advisor?

The most common degree for study abroad advisors is bachelor's degree, with 80% of study abroad advisors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 10% and master's degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 80%
  • Master's, 10%
  • Associate, 5%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a study abroad advisor?

You should major in business to become a study abroad advisor. 12% of study abroad advisors major in business. Other common majors for a study abroad advisor include english and communication.

Most common colleges for study abroad advisors

Study abroad advisors often get their degrees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Wisconsin Colleges, and Michigan State University. Here are the most common colleges for study abroad advisors in the US based on their resumes.
Study abroad advisor common collegePercentages
University of North Carolina at Greensboro7.63%
University of Wisconsin Colleges7.63%
Michigan State University6.87%
University of Florida6.87%
University of Georgia6.11%

Best majors for study abroad advisors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business11.5%
2English9.7%
3Communication7.5%
4Psychology7.5%
5Political Science6.9%

Best colleges for study abroad advisors

The best colleges for study abroad advisors are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A study abroad advisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for study abroad advisors. 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 study abroad advisors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

8. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

20 best online courses for study abroad advisors

Advertising disclosure

1. Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students

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Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees. Alongside advancing your English skills, get the chance to hear from...

2. International Business II

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This course, Introduction to the Global Business Environment II, focuses on managing organizations in the international economy. Building on Introduction to the Global Business Environment I, this second course focuses on organizational level and management issues in international settings. The course prepares students with practical as well as research-based knowledge and skills necessary to successfully operating an organizational across borders. This course utilizes an inquiry based approach...

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1...

5. International Business

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The International Business specialization is for learners who would like a thorough understanding of international business concepts, tools, and applications. This knowledge can be employed to advance in your current work, to prepare for international jobs and careers, and to generally understand the importance and role of international business practice on globalization and geopolitics. The specialization covers the global context of business, national cultures, human resources, marketing,...

6. Study Skills for University Success

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In this course, you’ll learn about many important skills to support your study, including time management, discovering your own learning styles, and reading more effectively and increasing your vocabulary. You’ll hear some guidelines for studying effectively in online or remote classes, which are becoming more and more popular in university-level education. You’ll also improve your skills in listening to lectures and taking good notes to help you as you study for tests. Finally, you’ll hear...

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9. Fundamentals of International Business

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Studying international business is essential for everyone who wants to be a well-rounded modern individual. Understanding the main features of the international business environment, mechanisms of cross-border business activities, and motivations to engage in these activities, will help you to make sense of contemporary business context and navigate yourself in our complex world. This MOOC provides essential knowledge about international business, its key actors and recent trends. It combines...

10. Studying at Japanese Universities

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Are you interested in studying at Japanese universities? Do you want to learn about Japan’s university application and enrollment processes, as well as the types of programs on offer? This course will help you to both discover great programs offered by different Japanese universities and prepare a study plan through project-based learning. We introduce a number of options to match a variety of goals, from full degree to non-degree programs, programs taught in English, as well as short-term...

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13. Microsoft Azure: Cloud Architecture Case Studies

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14. Intercultural communication

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Get the best experience interacting with people from other culture or background...

15. Online International Diplomacy and Protocol Masterclass

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Learn the Art and Science behind hosting and attending International Diplomatic and Government Events & Visits...

16. Financial Management A Complete Study for CA/CMA/CS/CFA/ACCA

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19. International Business Etiquette

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Soft Skills you need to excel at work!...

20. Business Plan: Outlines , Templates & Case Study

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Learn Business Planning & Lean Thinking to develop a Complete Business Plan...

Top 10 most affordable universities for study abroad advisors

The most affordable schools for study abroad advisors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for study abroad advisors 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 study abroad advisors.

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. 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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

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 study abroad advisors

The hardest universities for study abroad advisors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for study abroad advisors 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 study abroad advisors 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for study abroad advisors

The easiest schools for study abroad advisors to get into are University of North Texas at Dallas, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a study abroad advisor 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 study abroad advisors.

1. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

6. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

Average study abroad advisor salary by education level

Study abroad advisors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $48,177 annually. With a Master's degree, study abroad advisors earn a median annual income of $46,905 compared to $37,755 for study abroad advisors with an Bachelor's degree.
Study abroad advisor education levelStudy abroad advisor salary
Master's Degree$46,905
Bachelor's Degree$37,755
Doctorate Degree$48,177

Study abroad advisor 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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