Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Superintendent education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a superintendent. Superintendents usually study business, construction management, or management. 44% of superintendents hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 53,814 real superintendent resumes to see exactly what superintendent education sections show.
The most common colleges for superintendents are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online superintendent courses to help get the education required to be a superintendent.
There are certain superintendent certifications that you should consider. These superintendent certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Construction Manager (CCM).
What education do you need to become a superintendent?
What degree do you need to be a superintendent?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Associate, 25%
- High School Diploma, 17%
- Master's, 7%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a superintendent?
- Business, 28%
- Management, 6%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for superintendents
| Superintendent common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.15% |
| Texas A&M University | 7.96% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.94% |
| American University | 5.56% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.43% |
Best majors for superintendents
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 27.6% |
| 2 | Construction Management | 12.0% |
| 3 | Management | 6.0% |
| 4 | Civil Engineering | 5.5% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 5.0% |
Best colleges for superintendents
The best colleges for superintendents are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A superintendent with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for superintendents. 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 superintendents.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for superintendents
Advertising disclosure
1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors
This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...
2. Construction Procurement Management
A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...
3. QuickBooks For Contractors
Everything That Any Type Of Contractor Would Need When Using Quick Books...
4. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
5. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
6. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...
7. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
8. Revit Structure Beginners to Advanced (Contractor Services)
The course is suitable for Revit 2020 and later versions up to Revit 2023...
9. The Complete Guide to Construction Management
The Most Essential Course for EVERY Construction Project!...
10. Revit MEP Beginners to Advanced (Contractor Services)
The course is suitable for Revit 2017 and later versions up to Revit 2023...
11. New Home Construction - 1 of 8
Planning For The Build...
12. ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018. Service management system
Understand the requirements for a service management system according to ISO/IEC 20000-1...
13. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
14. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
15. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
16. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
17. Logistics Management: International Transport & Shipping
Logistics Supply Chain Management Basics - Transport / Import - Export your Freight / Inventory by Air, Sea or Land...
18. Customer Service Training: Dealing with Difficult Customers
Learn how to deal with difficult customers Master customer relationship management Gain conflict management skills...
19. Master Course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2.0
Fundamentals, Designs and Operations of SCM and Logistics, International Transport, Port and Shipping, Dropshipping...
20. Global Air Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management
2021 Air Logistics Management, Logistics Document, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Costing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for superintendents
The most affordable schools for superintendents are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and usf sarasota-manatee.
If the best universities for superintendents 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 superintendents.
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. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for superintendents
The hardest universities for superintendents to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for superintendents 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 superintendents 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for superintendents
The easiest schools for superintendents to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, d'youville college, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a superintendent 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 superintendents.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
Average superintendent salary by education level
| Superintendent education level | Superintendent salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $94,308 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $81,196 |
| Doctorate Degree | $104,750 |
Superintendent education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for superintendent jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025