Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Value stream manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a value stream manager. Value stream managers usually study business, mechanical engineering, or industrial technology. 68% of value stream managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,231 real value stream manager resumes to see exactly what value stream manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for value stream managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online value stream manager courses to help get the education required to be a value stream manager.
There are certain value stream manager certifications that you should consider. These value stream manager certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt.
What education do you need to become a value stream manager?
What degree do you need to be a value stream manager?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 12%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a value stream manager?
- Business, 36%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for value stream managers
| Value stream manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 18.92% |
| Purdue University | 12.43% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 7.03% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 5.95% |
| Tennessee Technological University | 4.32% |
Best majors for value stream managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 36.0% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 10.0% |
| 3 | Industrial Technology | 7.6% |
| 4 | Industrial Engineering | 6.1% |
| 5 | Management | 5.5% |
Best colleges for value stream managers
The best colleges for value stream managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
A value stream manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for value stream managers. 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 value stream managers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
8. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
20 best online courses for value stream managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Value Stream Mapping Masterclass: Become a VSM Specialist
Get Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Trained Become a Certified Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Specialist Earn PDUs CPDs...
2. Lean Manufacturing A-Z: Lean Operations Management
Lean Business Operations Management, Lean Process and Systems Improvement in Production and Industry. MBA style course...
3. Time Management Mastery: Productivity & Goals
Practical guide to time management - master productivity and efficiency every day...
4. Lean Management: Reduce waste and boost efficiency
Learn how to use the principles of lean management to optimize production, eliminate waste, and maximize customer value...
5. Product Design Management for Agile Practitioners
Application of product design management principles, concepts, tools and techniques in agile product management...
6. Productivity and Time Management Masterclass
The Productivity Course: You = Super Productive. Daily Routines. Organization. Time Management. Task Management...
7. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management
Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...
8. Smart Tips: Time Management & Productivity
Master time management and equip yourself with tools and strategies to be highly productive at work and home...
9. Product and Service Management
Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...
10. Lean Management: Just-In-Time JIT Certification (Accredited)
Get Lean Management and Lean Manufacturing Just In Time Trained Grab Just In Time Specialist Certification Earn PDUs...
11. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers
Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...
12. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
13. Productivity Machine: Time Management & Productivity Hacks
Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting, Eliminating Distractions, & Building Habits for Success...
14. Product Management Fundamentals
Case-based practical course on product management to build strong foundations in product concepts, process & frameworks...
15. Great Product Manager: Product Management by a Big Tech's PM
Become a Great Product Manager! Land your dream job with Big Tech's Senior Product Manager...
16. Kanban Fundamentals: How to Become Insanely Productive
Instantly Improve Productivity by Learning Kanban...
17. Insightful Customer Interviews for Product Managers
Direct conversations with real customers to gain insight, test product concepts, and drive product success...
18. Smart Tips: Product Management
Find impact, innovation, and success as a product manager...
19. Product Management A-Z: Hands-On, Real-World Simulation 2023
From Beginner to Modern Product Manager with Just One Course!...
20. Time Management And Goal Planning: The Productivity Combo
The ultimate guide to time management hacks to effectively set and achieve your goals by empowering productive habits...
Top 10 most affordable universities for value stream managers
The most affordable schools for value stream managers are University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, suny farmingdale, and usf sarasota-manatee.
If the best universities for value stream managers 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 value stream managers.
1. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
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. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for value stream managers
The hardest universities for value stream managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for value stream managers 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 value stream managers 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,380
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for value stream managers
The easiest schools for value stream managers to get into are D'Youville College, university of the incarnate word, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a value stream manager 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 value stream managers.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
6. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
7. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
8. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
9. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
10. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
Average value stream manager salary by education level
| Value stream manager education level | Value stream manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $133,396 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $97,276 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $117,662 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $103,905 |
Value stream manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for value stream manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025