Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Captain Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a captain. Captains usually study business, criminal justice, or psychology. 67% of captains hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 59,680 real captain resumes to see exactly what captain education sections show.
The most common colleges for captains are the United States Military Academy and the United States Military Academy.
There are also many online captain courses to help get the education required to be a captain.
There are certain captain certifications that you should consider. These captain certifications include Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
What education do you need to become a captain?
What degree do you need to be a captain?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 11%
- High School Diploma, 10%
- Master's, 7%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a captain?
- Business, 22%
- Criminal Justice, 8%
- Psychology, 7%
- Communication, 6%
- Other Majors, 57%
Most common colleges for captains
Captain Common College  | Percentages |
|---|---|
| United States Military Academy | 8.79% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.37% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.09% |
| New York University | 6.09% |
| University of Florida | 5.20% |
Best majors for captains
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 21.8% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 8.4% |
| 3 | Psychology | 7.1% |
| 4 | Communication | 5.5% |
| 5 | Kinesiology | 5.1% |
Best colleges for captains
The best colleges for captains are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A captain with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for captains. 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 captains.
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
20 best online courses for captains
Advertising Disclosure
1. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
2. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
3. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
4. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
5. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
6. Supervisor Leadership Skills for a Safe Workplace
Learn safety communication skills to foster safety accountability, responsibility and correct safety behaviours...
7. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.
How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...
8. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
9. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings
A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
10. Basic Fire Safety Awareness
Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...
Top 10 most affordable universities for captains
The most affordable schools for captains are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for captains 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 captains.
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
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for captains
The hardest universities for captains to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for captains 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 captains 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
4%
SAT Average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
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
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for captains
The easiest schools for captains 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 captain 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 captains.
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
Average captain salary by education level
| Captain education level | Captain salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,958 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,611 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $50,254 |
Search for captain jobs
Loading...
Loading...
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025