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Ad compositor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an ad compositor. Ad compositors usually study graphic design, business, or history. 50% of ad compositors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 39 real ad compositor resumes to see exactly what ad compositor education sections show.

The most common colleges for ad compositors are the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa.

There are also many online ad compositor courses to help get the education required to be an ad compositor.

What education do you need to become an ad compositor?

What degree do you need to be an ad compositor?

The most common degree for ad compositors is bachelor's degree, with 50% of ad compositors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 18%.
  • Bachelor's, 50%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Associate, 18%
  • High School Diploma, 14%

What should I major in to become an ad compositor?

You should major in graphic design to become an ad compositor. 33% of ad compositors major in graphic design. Other common majors for an ad compositor include business and history.

Most common colleges for ad compositors

Ad compositors often get their degrees at University of Iowa, Memphis College of Art, and Iowa Wesleyan University. Here are the most common colleges for ad compositors in the US based on their resumes.
Ad compositor common collegePercentages
University of Iowa6.67%
Memphis College of Art6.67%
Iowa Wesleyan University6.67%
Virginia Wesleyan University6.67%
Colby-Sawyer College6.67%

Best majors for ad compositors

RankMajorPercentages
1Graphic Design33.3%
2Business8.3%
3History4.2%
4Education4.2%
5Computer Applications4.2%

Best colleges for ad compositors

The best colleges for ad compositors are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.

An ad compositor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for ad compositors. 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 ad compositors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

20 best online courses for ad compositors

Advertising disclosure

1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)

general_assembly

Launch a future-proof career designing digital experiences that power revenue, user loyalty, and product success. Distinguish yourself as a designer by compiling a portfolio to showcase solo, group, and client projects to employers based on UI design and Agile methodologies...

2. User Experience Design (Part Time)

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Translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

3. UX Designer

udacity

Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs...

4. Product Design

udacity

Learn the steps you need to turn an idea into reality. By the end of this course you’ll learn how to bring an idea from concept to hand off for development and onto creation of a prototype...

5. Facebook Ads Copywriting & Facebook Ads for Real Estate 2023

udemy
4.5
(510)

Learn Facebook Ads Copywriting & Facebook Ads for Real Estate Fast & Fun! Enjoy Quizzes, Animations & Screen Recordings!...

6. Google & YouTube Ads, Bing Ads, Retargeting & ChatGPT Course

udemy
4.3
(333)

Learn Google Ads, You Tube Ads, Bing Ads & Google Retargeting. Use Chat GPT. Learn Google Max Performance & Display Ads...

7. Visual Design (Part Time)

general_assembly

Gain the vocabulary and tools to tackle diverse design challenges on the job. Kickstart your portfolio and create beautiful, responsive designs for the web. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

8. Intro to UX Design

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Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place! In this two-hour livestream, we’ll explore the decision-making process that separates a good user experience from a great one, and learn some tools that you can implement in your own UX process today. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to begin your UX Design journey!...

9. The Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads Course 2023 + ChatGPT Guide

udemy
4.3
(342)

Facebook Ads Course you will Love. Learn Fast & Fun. Overcome i OS Restrictions. Create Customer Journey. Enjoy Quizzes...

10. Meta Advertising for Beginners: Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads

udemy
4.6
(458)

Set Up Facebook Business Page & Meta Business Manager. Use Meta Business Suite. Launch Traffic & Lead Generation Ads...

11. Best of Facebook Ads: Facebook Ads 2023 Ultimate Pro Edition

udemy
4.6
(1,398)

Be a Facebook Ads Consultant - Profit with Facebook Ads: 2023's Most Powerful Fast Learn Facebook & Instagram Ads Course...

12. 2023 Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads Social marketing

udemy
4.7
(393)

Growth hack Facebook Ads with Digital Marketing, Social Media. FB advertising 101. Create profitable facebook ads...

13. The Complete Facebook Ads Training (Hands On)

udemy
4.3
(469)

A-Z guide on how to create powerful Facebook Ads. Hands on training included for different types of Facebook Ads...

14. Facebook Ads: Business Manager And Retargeting

udemy
4.5
(281)

Advanced Facebook ads with Facebook Pixel, custom audiences, lookalike audiences & do Facebook retargeting ads that sell...

15. Facebook Ads Profit Bootcamp: Covert Ads into Sales!

udemy
4.2
(409)

Learn everything you need to know about Facebook Advertising and create high performing Ads that convert to Sales!...

16. Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads For E-Commerce [For Beginners]

udemy
4.6
(909)

Sell More: Guide to Selling with Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads. Find your Customers with Meta Conversion Ads. Use Chat GPT...

17. Facebook Ads for Beginners

udemy
4
(292)

Learn to Create Powerful Facebook Ads to Increase Your Sales and Revenue Promoting Your Business All Over the World!...

18. Advanced Google Ads Training: Master Strategies & Techniques

udemy
4.1
(992)

Google Ads 2023: Hands on training in Google Ads techniques developed over 13 yrs. Module based + Heaps of Resources!...

19. Facebook Ads & Instagram Ads Course 2023: The Art of Selling

udemy
4.7
(285)

Learn How to Use Facebook Ads to Sell: Plan Campaign. Execute it. Lead it. Optimise Budget. Produce Sales. Become Legend...

20. Google Ads Masterclass (AdWords): Grow with Google Ads

udemy
4.6
(2,252)

Google Ads 2022: Master PPC, Remarketing, Display Campaigns, Search Campaigns, You Tube Ads from Basic to Advanced...

Top 10 most affordable universities for ad compositors

The most affordable schools for ad compositors are University of Florida, lehman college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for ad compositors 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 ad compositors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Cost of attendance

24,514

10. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$9,222

Cost of attendance

20,422

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for ad compositors

The hardest universities for ad compositors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for ad compositors 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 ad compositors 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for ad compositors

The easiest schools for ad compositors to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, mount saint mary's university, and marymount university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an ad compositor 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 ad compositors.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

4. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

5. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

6. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

7. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

Average ad compositor salary by education level

Ad compositors with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $74,351 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, ad compositors earn a median annual income of $62,514 compared to $50,445 for ad compositors with an Associate degree.
Ad compositor education levelAd compositor salary
Master's Degree$74,351
Bachelor's Degree$62,514
Some College/ Associate Degree$50,445

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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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