The best schools for product management offer highly specialized programs to prepare their students for high-paying leadership positions. Despite product management being one of the fastest-growing occupations in the world, there are very few schools offering a program solely focused on it. That being said, the best product management universities also happen to be some of the top schools in the country.
In this article, we take a look at the best product management colleges and universities, the programs they offer, and the product management jobs you can get after earning your degree. We’ll also help you determine whether or not a product management degree is worth it for you.
Best Product Management College and University Rankings: Top 10 Product Management Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | PA | In-person | 25 |
| Harvard Business School | MA | In-person | 2 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MA | In-person | 2 |
| New York University | NY | In-person | 28 |
| Northwestern University | IL | In-person | 9 |
| Stanford University | CA | In-person | 6 |
| University of California, Berkeley | CA | In-person | 22 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | CA | In-person | 20 |
| University of Southern California | CA | In-person, online | 27 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | TX | In-person, online | 38 |
Product Management School Rankings: Best Product Management Colleges and Universities
The best product management colleges and universities offer world-class programs that teach students the critical knowledge they need to lead product teams in organizations. These schools primarily offer graduate programs in product management or offer graduate business administration programs with a specialization in product management.
Carnegie Mellon University was established in 1900 and is a private, global research university offering various academic programs across many different fields of study. This school is well known for being a global research leader in developing students who’ve turned their innovative ideas into successful startup businesses. It has a total enrollment of over 14,500 students.
Carnegie Mellon University Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 25
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 28
Best Carnegie Mellon University Product Management Programs
- Master of Science in Product Management. This is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the Tepper School of Business, School of Computer Science, and Human-Computer Interaction Institute. It equips students with the business, design, and tech leadership skills to work as product managers. It takes a year to complete the program.
Carnegie Mellon University Product Management Key Takeaway
Carnegie Mellon’s experiential learning approach at the Tepper School of Business, which provides students with real-world experience and practical skills through a hands-on curriculum, equips its graduates with the necessary knowledge for a career in the product management field.
Harvard Business School was established in 1908. It offers executive education, MBA, and doctoral programs with a focus on real-world practice. Harvard is one of the most prestigious and well-known schools in the world, ranked second by both US News &World Report and Times Higher Education.
Harvard Business School Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 2
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 2
Best Harvard Business School Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration. This is a two-year MBA program with a general management curriculum. It offers product management as part of its Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development (FIELD) course, which provides students with various skills, including design thinking, team effectiveness, and contextual intelligence.
Harvard Business School Product Management Key Takeaway
The MBA program at Harvard Business School provides a dynamic learning environment utilizing different learning systems, including case method courses, tech simulations, and hands-on exercises. Students get to partner with small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative products inspired by customer ideas and experiences.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was incorporated in 1861 and is well known for its extremely competitive tech-focused programs. Its primary mission is to advance the acquisition of knowledge and the education of students in science and cutting-edge technology. The programs it offers help its students develop strong analytical skills and excellent leadership skills.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Degrees Offered: Master’s and certificates
- US News Ranking: 2
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 5
Best Massachusetts Institute of Technology Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration. This two-year program trains students to solve complex problems using actionable solutions. The two product management tracks it offers are Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Enterprise Management. Its students take core courses in financial accounting, organizational processes, economic analysis, and managerial finance.
- Digital Product Management Certificate. This is a 39-credit certificate program that provides students with practical experiences with the real-life product development process. It covers major concepts in the fundamentals of product management, including finance, data analysis, operations, research, and sustainability.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Product Management Key Takeaway
MIT is one of the best schools in the world, and its product management programs are taught by industry leaders in world-class facilities. It utilizes theoretical learning and collaboration with other faculties from other disciplines.
Founded in 1831, New York University is one of the largest private universities in the country and has made a name for itself as an innovator in higher education, offering a wide range of programs for undergraduate and graduate levels. The university is home to 18 schools and colleges and a student body of over 50,000.
New York University Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 28
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 26
Best New York University Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration, Tech Product Management Specialization. This 60-credit, two-year degree program with a specialization in product management helps students develop the ability to create, design, test, and deploy innovative ideas in tech companies. It prepares students for career roles in product marketing, technology strategy, and technology development by equipping them with excellent leadership skills.
New York University Product Management Key Takeaway
Offered under the NYU Stern School of Business, this is the perfect program for students wanting to develop any type of product that is technologically innovative.
Northwestern University was founded in 1855 and is a private, not-for-profit school committed to high-quality education, innovative research, and intellectual development. It has over 21,000 enrolled students across its 12 schools and colleges. Northwestern is tied for ninth-best school in the country alongside Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and CalTech.
Northwestern University Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 9
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 24
Best Northwestern University Product Management Programs
- Master of Product Design and Development Management. This two-year degree prepares students to work as senior leaders in product development. Its solid curriculum is focused on teaching in-demand skills in design, product strategy, and product development.
- Master of Business Administration, Technology Management Pathway. This one-to-two-year degree is offered by NWU’s Kellogg School of Management. It provides a wide range of courses and a strong foundation for a career in product management, product roadmap creation, product marketing, and business operations.
Northwestern University Product Management Key Takeaway
Northwestern University utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach to teaching in its product management courses equipping students with in-depth expertise and a well-rounded understanding of the role of product managers.
Established in 1891, Stanford University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It has a total enrollment of just under 17,000 students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of five to one.
Stanford University Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 6
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 4
Best Stanford University Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration. This two-year degree program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) offers a wide range of elective courses students can use to tailor their program to their career needs. Students who want to work on a product team in the future have plenty of electives they can choose from.
Stanford University Product Management Key Takeaway
The product management program at the Stanford GSB provides a well-rounded general management education that broadens the professional experience and perspective of students on worldwide issues.
The University of California-Berkeley was established in 1868 and offers over 350 academic degree programs across more than 130 departments. The school is home to approximately 1,600 faculty members and 35,000 students across its 14 schools and colleges.
University of California-Berkeley Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools & Colleges
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 22
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 8
Best University of California-Berkeley Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration. This degree focuses on allowing students to master business management fundamentals. It employs a rigorous curriculum with core courses that teaches data-driven decision-making, leadership communication, and applied innovation, all of which are extremely useful for prospective product managers.
University of California-Berkeley Product Management Key Takeaway
The product management program is offered by the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and offers product innovation electives such as product management, product design, and Lean LaunchPad.
The University of California-Los Angeles was founded in 1919. It is one of the most prestigious public research universities in the country. It has a total enrollment of over 26,000 undergraduate students and almost 12,000 graduate students enrolled in its wide array of academic programs.
University of California-Los Angeles Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 20
Best University of California-Los Angeles Product Management Programs
- Master of Business Administration. This two-year degree offers a specialization in technology leadership, which includes core courses in new product development, product innovation, and technology management. The program sometimes invites expert guest speakers to help prepare students for working in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, or other tech hubs.
University of California-Los Angeles Product Management Key Takeaway
Offered by the Anderson School of Management, this program offers plenty of flexibility, enabling its students to comfortably take a huge breadth of courses and develop their expertise to suit their career interests.
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is one of the leading private research universities in the world. UCLA’s rival, USC’s reputation is as a leading center of science, technology, arts, and business. It has a total enrollment of 21,000 undergraduate students and 28,500 graduate and professional students.
University of Southern California Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 27
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 63
Best University of Southern California Product Management Programs
- Master of Science in Product Development Engineering. This is a 27-credit-hour program that teaches students how to generate new product ideas, evaluate them, and manage their development process. What makes it one of the best product management training programs in the country is its unparalleled faculty and facilities.
University of Southern California Product Management Key Takeaway
The product management program at the University of Southern California has a product development systems track and a product development technology track, both of which provide an integrated educational experience that allows their students to acquire the knowledge they need to land product management roles in the tech industry.
The University of Texas at Austin was established in 1883 and is the state’s top research university. Home to over 52,000 students and 3,000 teaching faculty, it offers a wide variety of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels across its 18 colleges and schools.
The University of Texas at Austin Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
- US News Ranking: 38
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 47
Best The University of Texas at Austin Product Management Programs
- Master of Science in Technology Commercialization. This is a 30-credit, 1.5-year program providing students with the knowledge and technical expertise needed to launch their businesses and build viable products. The program blends business and technology through courses in product development, marketing technological innovations, and risk management.
The University of Texas at Austin Product Management Key Takeaway
Although not a traditional product management degree, students in this program can take a concentration on brand and product management, emphasizing the intersection of business and technological innovation.
The Best Schools for Product Management: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The types of college degrees and university programs for product management are a product management community college certificate, product management associate degree, product management bachelor’s degree, product management master’s degree, product management graduate certificate, and product management doctorate.
A product management community college certificate is typically a 12-credit program teaching the entry-level skills that students need to land entry-level positions in business and management. It includes courses in the principles of management, marketing, and business law. It can usually be completed within a semester to a year.
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A product management associate degree equips students with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits for entry-level careers in the management field. These associate degrees are usually two-year 60-credit programs with courses in accounting, leadership, business law, human resource management, and communication.
A product management bachelor’s degree is a four-year, 120-credit program that teaches the fundamentals of product management. During this program, students will learn about agile product management, product design, communication, and software development. They will also learn how to integrate a variety of product management concepts at different stages of production.
There are not many product management bachelor's degrees or associate degrees. That being said, students looking to get a product management master’s degree can get their undergraduate education in business administration, marketing, management, or communication.
A product management master’s degree provides students with the advanced design, tech, and business skills that students need to build long-lasting product management careers. Students learn to manage cross-functional teams across departments, communicate with clients, and analyze the value of their business. These are usually 30-credit programs that can be completed within a year or two.
A product management graduate certificate is usually a year-long program and combines business, technology, and design. Certificate programs teach students how to create products and handle product development processes through core courses in product and business strategies, development, operations, and design, as well as customer experience and strategic product marketing.
A product management doctorate degree equips experienced business professionals with the advanced knowledge needed to meet any new challenge and opportunity in a changing business landscape. Students learn how to lower production costs, optimize production processes, and ensure quality. It usually takes at least two to three years to complete a product management doctorate program.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Product Management Schools: Other Product Management University Rankings
The best product management schools equip their students with technical and soft skills to lead product teams and help students meet their goals in product management. Our product management university rankings contain a list of the best schools to attend for a product management program.
Best Online Product Management Schools
- Capitol Technology University. This school offers an online PhD in Product Management and invites industry representatives to help prepare students for their eventual venture into the industry. This approach ideally helps them land leadership roles in the product management field within a few months of graduation.
- The University of Texas at Austin. This school offers an online Master of Science in Technology Commercialization and provides specialized, hands-on courses in product development and production, technology and business risk, and innovative management.
- University of Southern California. USC offers an online Master of Science in Product Development Engineering. This is an interdisciplinary program consisting of management, engineering, and art courses where students learn to manage the production process from conception to deployment.
Best Community Colleges for Product Management
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. This school offers an Associate of Science in Business Management with courses in marketing, accounting, ethics, economics, management, and international business. The school’s annual cost of attendance is quite low.
- Lake Michigan College. The Associate of Business Administration program at Lake Michigan College provides students with a well-rounded education. Its business courses in organizational behavior, accounting, marketing, and communication can be completed in 20 months.
- Thomas Nelson Community College. This business administration associate degree teaches its students foundational knowledge in business, accounting, and economics, allowing them to eventually pursue careers in product management, management information, health services information, and economics.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Product Management
- National University. This Bachelor of Business Administration provides its students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the business world. Students can pick from different concentrations, including marketing, project management, economics, finance, and supply chain marketing.
- Husson University. Husson University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management and is designed to help students develop expertise in business operations. It has courses in management, public relations, accounting, and marketing.
- University of Florida. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management at the University of Florida trains its students to become goal-oriented leaders in the industry. Its curriculum includes accounting, entrepreneurship, communication studies, and statistics courses.
Best Graduate Schools for Product Management
- Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon’s Master of Science in Product Management employs an interdisciplinary approach to provide the business, design, leadership, and technology skills needed for a career in product management
- New York University. This Master of Business Administration with a tech product management specialization allows its students to learn how to create, design, and deploy products for technology businesses.
- University of Southern California. USC offers a Master of Science in Product Development Engineering, which teaches product development from an engineering perspective rather than a business perspective. This is a great program for more scientifically-inclined students.
Best Product Management Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Walden University | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Dual Degree and Global Business Concentration Programs. This dual degree program provides students with the tools needed to build a career in businesses that focus on technological innovation. Its students gain a variety of business skills and learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. This program also leads to the Walden MBA program.
- Kennesaw State University | Dual MBA-MSIS. This dual graduate degree provides valuable skills for students wanting to start their careers as technology leaders in a business environment. In it, students learn about best business practices and strategic technology skills.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Master of Business Administration. This dual degree is a product of the Sloan School of Management and School of Engineering. It equips students with the technical skills needed to become innovative product professionals.
Best Schools With Accelerated Product Management Programs
- Boston University | BS in Management Studies-Accelerated. Boston University’s accelerated program provides its students with a solid foundation in finance, ecommerce, project management, market analysis, and operations management. The program can be completed in two years.
- Capella University | Bachelor of Science in Business. This program provides its students with advanced knowledge of management techniques and strategic business skills. Students learn how to use human and technological resources to achieve organizational goals.
- City University of Seattle | Bachelor of Science in Project Management. This program teaches its students the vital practical skills, leadership skills, and team development skills needed to become leaders in a project-based business environment.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Product Management Worth It?
Yes, it is worth going to graduate school for product management. Graduate school is the only place that really offers the dedicated product management skills, education, and hands-on experience needed to lead product development teams in the industry. Through internships, in-class projects, and capstone projects, students can gain valuable experience and build their portfolios.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Product Management Degree?
The jobs you can do with a product management degree are leadership roles such as an associate product manager, mid-level product manager, senior product manager, group product manager, and director of product management. The best schools for product management will equip you with the skills needed for these roles and offer career services and mentorship to help you meet your career goals.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Product Management?
You can earn up to $107,000 per year with a degree in product management, according to PayScale. Your actual annual salary will depend on your level of education, experience, employer, job title, and location. Master’s degree holders in product management have a higher median salary than bachelor’s or associate degree holders.
Highest-Paying Product Management Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Product Officer | Master’s degree | $195,438 |
| Vice President of Product Management | Master’s degree | $172,490 |
| Principal Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $154,794 |
| Group Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $151,039 |
| Director of Product Management | Bachelor’s degree | $149,668 |
| Senior Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $128,156 |
| Global Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $107,318 |
| Mobile Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $102,750 |
| Software Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $100,498 |
| Product Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $88,660 |
Best Jobs With a Product Management Degree
The best jobs with a product management degree are jobs that typically require a bachelor’s or master’s degree such as chief product officer, vice president of product management, principal product manager, group product manager, or director of product management. A product management role available for someone with a lower degree is usually entry-level and limited in scope and growth.
The best product management associate degree jobs are entry-level positions in the industry. They require foundational knowledge of management, accounting, finance, and business administration, all of which are taught in an associate degree curriculum.
Top Product Management Careers With an Associate Degree
The best product management bachelor degree’s jobs are mid-level jobs in management, business, marketing, or communications. A bachelor's degree program will introduce its students to important product management concepts and provide them with the knowledge and expertise they need to begin their careers.
Top Product Management Careers With a Bachelor’s Degree
The best product management master’s degree jobs are senior-level leadership positions in the industry requiring advanced knowledge and considerable experience in product management. The typical job responsibilities include managing areas like product development, product design, product marketing, product sales, and product pricing teams.
Top Product Management Careers With a Master’s Degree
The best product management doctorate jobs are reserved for experienced product managers who’ve completed a PhD in Product Management at a university and who have many years of work experience. These jobs typically require concrete skills in research and excellent analytical skills and are usually for top executives at a company.
Top Product Management Careers With a PhD
The best internships for product management students are a wonderful avenue to gain valuable experience and insight into working in product management. They often serve as a pathway toward a full-time job.
Top Product Management Internships
How Can I Pay for Product Management School?
You can pay for product management school by paying the tuition up front or through the help of loans, scholarships and grants, and federal funding. The average cost of tuition for a product management program can be difficult for students to pay outright. Fortunately, there are many available financing options that can ease the financial burden higher education entails.
- Loan financing. Students can apply for loans from the federal government or from private institutions to finance their tuition expenses. A report by the National Center for Education Statistics indicated that 51.8 percent of students who completed their degree program received federal loans.
- Scholarships. There are many scholarship opportunities available to product management students studying at an accredited school. Keep in mind, however, that most scholarships are merit-based and have relatively competitive eligibility requirements.
- Federal Funding. One of the easiest ways to pay for your education is through federal funding. As you apply for schools, many will require you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, which takes into consideration your financial status.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Product Management School for You
To choose the best product management school for you, you should consider certain factors including the school’s accreditation, retention rate, cost, and flexibility and format, as well as your career goals. It is crucial that you take the time to review your available options and pick the one that fits you best. Here’s a more detailed explanation.
Accreditation
You should know if the school has been approved and accredited by the appropriate regional and national accrediting bodies. Attending an in-person or online accredited university shows potential employers that you have graduated from a school that satisfies the academic standards required to be able to offer product management degree programs.
Cost
The cost of a product management degree depends on the school. Private universities have a higher tuition rate than public universities. You should consider your budget and how much money you can and are willing to spend on your education. Don’t forget to keep in mind additional costs such as living, transportation, and study materials.
Flexibility and Format
The best schools for product management offer both in-person and online degrees. It’s up to you to choose which learning format satisfies your learning preferences. Students who prefer to attend classes from the comfort of their homes should look for online degrees while those who prefer a dedicated learning environment should apply for in-person degree programs.
Retention Rate
A school’s retention rate measures the percentage of students who continued in the school past their first academic session. If the school’s retention rate is low, it means students are not completing their degree programs. This is a potential red flag and may be a sign that there is a problem with the school’s programs.
Career Goals
Most importantly, you should consider your career goals. How can the degree you choose provide the best possible education in product management you need to succeed in the industry? It is a good idea to check a program’s career outcomes. If they align with your career goals, then the program should be a good fit for you.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Product Management?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for product management. The best schools for product management offer world-class instruction, alumni benefits, and the potential to earn a great income. In fact, according to PayScale’s 2021-22 College Salary Report, top school graduates tend to earn higher salaries.
Product Management University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Product Management
We ranked the best product management schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our product management university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of product management degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Product Management
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Best Product Management Schools FAQ
The best undergraduate degrees for product management are in business administration, economics, marketing, technology, and public relations. These degrees will teach you the required skills you need to build a career in product management or continue your studies in a specialized master’s program.
No, product managers don’t need an MBA. An MBA is not a prerequisite to becoming a product manager. That being said, an MBA program is one of the best places to learn the product management, technological, and business frameworks product managers need to be successful in the industry. An MBA can also lead to higher product manager salaries.
The best product management certifications are AIPMM Certified Product Marketing Manager, AIPMM Agile Certified Product Manager and Product Owner, Software Product Management, Digital Product Management, and One Week Technical Product Manager.
Yes, project managers are in huge demand. They have projected job growth of 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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