Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Youth advisor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a youth advisor. Youth advisors usually study criminal justice, psychology, or business. 62% of youth advisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,008 real youth advisor resumes to see exactly what youth advisor education sections show.
The most common colleges for youth advisors are the Bowling Green State University and the Bowling Green State University.
There are also many online youth advisor courses to help get the education required to be a youth advisor.
There are certain youth advisor certifications that you should consider. These youth advisor certifications include Advanced First Aid & CPR and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
What education do you need to become a youth advisor?
What degree do you need to be a youth advisor?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a youth advisor?
- Criminal Justice, 18%
- Psychology, 16%
- Business, 9%
- Social Work, 6%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for youth advisors
| Youth advisor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University | 10.07% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 10.07% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 8.05% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.38% |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 5.37% |
Best majors for youth advisors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 17.9% |
| 2 | Psychology | 15.7% |
| 3 | Business | 9.5% |
| 4 | Social Work | 5.8% |
| 5 | Communication | 5.2% |
Best colleges for youth advisors
The best colleges for youth advisors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston College.
A youth 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 youth 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 youth advisors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
3. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for youth advisors
Advertising disclosure
1. Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling
Helping Individuals to Live Meaningful, Free & Authentic Lives...
2. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
3. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Learn SFBT skills for creative conversations and better outcomes. With video of live sessions...
4. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
5. A Beginner's Guide to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Learn how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) contributes to long-term personal growth and sustainable mental resilience...
6. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
7. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
8. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
9. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
10. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
11. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia
Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...
12. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
13. Oxford Diploma: Art Therapy:create books; run (4) workshops!
All you need to a) create a book and b) run FOUR Art Therapy workshops (including the Art Therapy exercises)!...
14. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - ACCREDITED CERT
Psychology & Counselling Approaches, Emotions and Behaviour Strategies, Mindfulness, Psychotherapy, Positive Thinking...
15. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner Course
Become a Certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner and elevate your understanding of human behaviour...
16. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
17. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Learn ACT: Use cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to increase psychological flexibility...
18. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach
CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...
19. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
20. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
Top 10 most affordable universities for youth advisors
The most affordable schools for youth advisors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for youth 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 youth advisors.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for youth advisors
The hardest universities for youth advisors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston College.
Some great schools for youth 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 youth 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. 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. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for youth advisors
The easiest schools for youth advisors to get into are Nyack College, kean university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a youth 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 youth advisors.
1. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
2. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
5. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
8. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
9. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
10. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
Average youth advisor salary by education level
| Youth advisor education level | Youth advisor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $41,251 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $35,420 |
Youth advisor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for youth advisor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025