Post job

Audio-visual director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an audio-visual director. Audio-visual directors usually study communication, photography, or business. 63% of audio-visual directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 752 real audio-visual director resumes to see exactly what audio-visual director education sections show.

The most common colleges for audio-visual directors are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.

There are also many online audio-visual director courses to help get the education required to be an audio-visual director.

What education do you need to become an audio-visual director?

What degree do you need to be an audio-visual director?

The most common degree for audio-visual directors is bachelor's degree, with 63% of audio-visual directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become an audio-visual director?

You should major in communication to become an audio-visual director. 20% of audio-visual directors major in communication. Other common majors for an audio-visual director include photography and business.

Most common colleges for audio-visual directors

Audio-visual directors often get their degrees at Full Sail University, Berklee College of Music, and Michigan State University. Here are the most common colleges for audio-visual directors in the US based on their resumes.
Audio-visual director common collegePercentages
Full Sail University25.58%
Berklee College of Music5.81%
Michigan State University5.81%
Ithaca College4.65%
Columbia College Chicago4.65%

Best majors for audio-visual directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Communication20.3%
2Photography9.9%
3Business8.8%
4Graphic Design8.5%
5Music7.9%

Best colleges for audio-visual directors

The best colleges for audio-visual directors are Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An audio-visual 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 audio-visual 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 audio-visual directors.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for audio-visual directors

Advertising disclosure

1. Complete Audio Production Course: Record Better Audio

udemy
4.2
(565)

Learn how to record, edit & mix professional audio for video production, podcasting, music, course creation, You Tube +...

2. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube

udemy
4.6
(788)

Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...

3. Audio Production, Level 1 - Beginners

udemy
4.7
(305)

Improve your Audio Production for Musicians & Course-Creators for PC or Mac, in a Step-by-Step Easy to Understand Way...

4. Music Production in Logic Pro X: Digital Audio Mastering

udemy
4.5
(574)

Learn how to confidently master tracks in Logic Pro X The Complete Audio Mastering in Music Production Course...

5. Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X - The Complete Guide

udemy
4.6
(12,630)

Become a master at using Logic Pro X Understand music production Learn to record, edit & mix audio to a pro standard...

6. The Complete Audio Producer 2021

udemy
4.5
(511)

Zero To Professional Production Taught By World Renowned Audio Engineer/Producer Clarian...

7. Product Photography: Beginner's Guide to Captivating Visuals

udemy
4.7
(427)

Learn About Digital Camera Settings, Lighting Techniques, Composition Guides, Storytelling, Props, and Styling...

8. Audio Mastering: the complete guide

udemy
4.3
(780)

The step-by-step course about mastering engineering. Learn how to improve the audio quality of your music...

9. Visual Merchandising Course For Retailers and Students

udemy
4.2
(949)

Learn the key principles of great Visual Merchandising & Window Dressing...

10. GarageBand Masterclass: GarageBand for Music Production

udemy
4.7
(1,314)

Learn Garage Band for music production, music composition, music mixing, audio production, songwriting, and so much more!...

11. Adobe Audition CC Audio Production Course Basics to Expert

udemy
4.4
(1,259)

Learn Adobe Audition audio editing tips, tricks and audio production secrets with Mike Russell in a complete A-Z course...

12. Music Production I - Learn to be a Music Producer!

udemy
4.2
(1,693)

Learn how to become a recording/music production engineer with little to no knowledge! Record music like a pro!...

13. Business Drawing and Visual Storytelling

udemy
4.2
(335)

Learn to hand draw Visual Storytelling on Flip charts specially for Trainers, Managers and Entrepreneurs...

14. Visual Studio Mastery with C# - Double Your Productivity

udemy
4.3
(1,016)

Wide variety of shortcuts and tools to be more productive with VS with footage from my RGB Keyboard! Snippets, Comments...

15. Avid Pro Tools: Audio Recording For Beginners In Pro Tools

udemy
4.7
(439)

Learn the basics of Audio Recording & Music Production With Avids Pro Tools 12 Software. Mixing, Mastering, Midi & more...

16. Mastering Visual Studio Code

udemy
4.6
(1,217)

Boost your productivity with Visual Studio Code, the best code editor of the moment!...

17. Ableton Live 11 Masterclass: Complete Music Production Guide

udemy
4.7
(272)

Complete Guide To: Music Production, Music Mixing, Electronic Music, Sound Design, Audio Engineering / Production...

18. Music Production II - Music Production Workflow - COMPLETE!!

udemy
4.2
(331)

Learn to create a Music Production Workflow, and produce professional quality music within any Music Production DAW!...

19. What's New in C# 6, C# 7 and Visual Studio 2017

udemy
4.2
(251)

Learn new features of C# 6, C# 7 and Visual Studio 2017 on practical examples...

20. FL Studio Beginner Music Production Course [NEW]

udemy
4.5
(478)

FL Studio Beginner Course: Learn How To Make Beats From Start To Finish With Ease + Kits (Total Value: Over 297 Dollar)!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for audio-visual directors

The most affordable schools for audio-visual directors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for audio-visual 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 audio-visual directors.

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for audio-visual directors

The hardest universities for audio-visual directors to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for audio-visual 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 audio-visual 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

14%

SAT average

1,531

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

9. Hamilton College

Clinton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

21%

SAT average

1,446

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for audio-visual directors

The easiest schools for audio-visual directors to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an audio-visual 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 audio-visual directors.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

5. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average audio-visual director salary by education level

Audio-visual directors with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $110,252 annually. With a Associate degree, audio-visual directors earn a median annual income of $104,290 compared to $94,995 for audio-visual directors with an High School Diploma degree.
Audio-visual director education levelAudio-visual director salary
High School Diploma or Less$94,995
Bachelor's Degree$110,252
Some College/ Associate Degree$104,290

Audio-visual director education FAQs

Search for audio-visual director jobs

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.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs