Trainee education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a trainee. Trainees usually study business, psychology, or electrical engineering. 56% of trainees hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 48,158 real trainee resumes to see exactly what trainee education sections show.

The most common colleges for trainees are the California State University - San Bernardino and the California State University - San Bernardino.

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

There are certain trainee certifications that you should consider. These trainee certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

What education do you need to become a trainee?

What degree do you need to be a trainee?

The most common degree for trainees is bachelor's degree, with 56% of trainees earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 56%

Master's, 13%

High School Diploma, 13%

Associate, 8%

Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a trainee?

You should major in business to become a trainee. 16% of trainees major in business. Other common majors for a trainee include psychology and electrical engineering.

Business, 16%

Psychology, 16%

Electrical Engineering, 7%

Computer Science, 7%

Other Majors, 54%

Most common colleges for trainees

Trainees often get their degrees at California State University - San Bernardino, University of Phoenix, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for trainees in the US based on their resumes.

Trainee common college	Percentages
California State University - San Bernardino	11.24%
University of Phoenix	10.85%
University of California - Davis	9.90%
University of California, Santa Barbara	9.23%
San Francisco State University	4.92%

Show more common trainee colleges

Best majors for trainees

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	16.4%
2	Psychology	15.9%
3	Electrical Engineering	7.0%
4	Computer Science	6.9%
5	Accounting	5.8%

Show more common trainee majors

Best colleges for trainees

The best colleges for trainees are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

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

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for trainees

Advertising disclosure

1. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course

4.7

(291)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...

2. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia

4.3

(278)

Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...

3. Oxford Diploma: Art Therapy:create books; run (4) workshops!

4.5

(266)

All you need to a) create a book and b) run FOUR Art Therapy workshops (including the Art Therapy exercises)!...

4. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy

4.2

(1,022)

Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...

5. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

4.7

(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

6. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Certificate

4.7

(296)

Become a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) practitioner and help people improve their mental health...

7. Metacognitive Therapy

4.8

(315)

Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...

8. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE

4.7

(2,559)

Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...

9. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

4.7

(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

10. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course

4.5

(473)

Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...

11. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

4.7

(504)

Learn ACT: Use cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to increase psychological flexibility...

12. PL/SQL by Example - Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL

4.5

(13,982)

Using PL/SQL learn how to combine the efficiency of SQL & Procedural Language(PL) to build a powerful PL/SQL Application...

13. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

4.1

(4,774)

Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...

14. Colour Therapy Practitioner Certification

4.8

(307)

Learn to use the power of colour to promote health and wellbeing...

15. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy

4.7

(497)

Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...

16. A Beginner's Guide to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

4.8

(918)

Learn how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) contributes to long-term personal growth and sustainable mental resilience...

17. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...

18. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art

4.4

(527)

Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...

19. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach

4.7

(1,026)

CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...

20. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor

4.3

(419)

Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for trainees

The most affordable schools for trainees are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for trainees 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 trainees.

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for trainees

The hardest universities for trainees to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for trainees 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 trainees 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for trainees

The easiest schools for trainees to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a trainee 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 trainees.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average trainee salary by education level

Trainees with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $44,489 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, trainees earn a median annual income of $42,801 compared to $38,425 for trainees with an Associate degree.

Trainee education level	Trainee salary
Master's Degree	$44,489
High School Diploma or Less	$37,892
Bachelor's Degree	$42,801
Some College/ Associate Degree	$38,425

Trainee education FAQs

What is the best college for Trainees?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for trainee jobs

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

Browse computer and mathematical jobs