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Workforce development program director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a workforce development program director. Workforce development program directors usually study business, psychology, or communication. 44% of workforce development program directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 75 real workforce development program director resumes to see exactly what workforce development program director education sections show.

The most common colleges for workforce development program directors are the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

There are also many online workforce development program director courses to help get the education required to be a workforce development program director.

What education do you need to become a workforce development program director?

What degree do you need to be a workforce development program director?

The most common degree for workforce development program directors is bachelor's degree, with 44% of workforce development program directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 27% and master's degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 44%
  • Master's, 27%
  • Associate, 12%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a workforce development program director?

You should major in business to become a workforce development program director. 14% of workforce development program directors major in business. Other common majors for a workforce development program director include psychology and communication.

Most common colleges for workforce development program directors

Workforce development program directors often get their degrees at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Hampton University, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for workforce development program directors in the US based on their resumes.
Workforce development program director common collegePercentages
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire9.09%
Hampton University9.09%
New York University4.55%
University of Connecticut4.55%
DePaul University4.55%

Best majors for workforce development program directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business14.3%
2Psychology11.9%
3Communication9.5%
4Educational Leadership7.1%
5Public Relations7.1%

Best colleges for workforce development program directors

The best colleges for workforce development program directors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

A workforce development program director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for workforce development program directors. 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 workforce development program directors.

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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for workforce development program directors

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Top 10 most affordable universities for workforce development program directors

The most affordable schools for workforce development program directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for workforce development program directors 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 workforce development program directors.

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. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for workforce development program directors

The hardest universities for workforce development program directors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for workforce development program directors 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 workforce development program directors 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for workforce development program directors

The easiest schools for workforce development program directors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a workforce development program director 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 workforce development program directors.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

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. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

9. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

10. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

Average workforce development program director salary by education level

Workforce development program directors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $129,386 annually. With a Master's degree, workforce development program directors earn a median annual income of $119,897 compared to $99,558 for workforce development program directors with an Bachelor's degree.
Workforce development program director education levelWorkforce development program director salary
Master's Degree$119,897
Bachelor's Degree$99,558
Doctorate Degree$129,386

Workforce development program director 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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