Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Beat reporter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a beat reporter. Beat reporters usually study journalism, communication, or english. 86% of beat reporters hold a bachelor's degree, and 5% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 623 real beat reporter resumes to see exactly what beat reporter education sections show.
The most common colleges for beat reporters are the West Virginia University and the West Virginia University.
There are also many online beat reporter courses to help get the education required to be a beat reporter.
What education do you need to become a beat reporter?
What degree do you need to be a beat reporter?
- Bachelor's, 86%
- Associate, 5%
- Master's, 5%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a beat reporter?
- Journalism, 43%
- Communication, 20%
- English, 4%
- Agricultural Public Services, 4%
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for beat reporters
| Beat reporter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| West Virginia University | 10.32% |
| Kent State University | 10.32% |
| University of Iowa | 9.52% |
| Temple University | 6.35% |
| Fordham University | 6.35% |
Best majors for beat reporters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 43.4% |
| 2 | Communication | 19.7% |
| 3 | English | 4.5% |
| 4 | Agricultural Public Services | 4.0% |
| 5 | Political Science | 3.7% |
Best colleges for beat reporters
The best colleges for beat reporters are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
A beat reporter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for beat reporters. 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 beat reporters.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for beat reporters
Advertising disclosure
1. Football: More than a Game
Explore the world of football (soccer), the money, the rivalries, the trends, the past, the present, the men’s game, the women's game and the real issues. Whether you love it, hate it or try to ignore it – join us as we go behind the scenes to examine why football is more than just a game. From street soccer to multi-million dollar transfers, from the men’s game to the women’s, from the global to the local, from the beaches of Brazil to the fight against poverty this online course looks beyond...
2. Become a Journalist: Report the News!
This Specialization will develop and enhance your understanding of the global field of journalism. You'll learn best practices and ethical standards for newsgathering processes and compiling a news report through hands-on projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and issue exploration. You will also study journalism's impact on societal issues and trends, plus explore career opportunities in newspapers, magazine, social media, Internet multimedia, television, radio, corporate and community journalism...
3. Learn Professional 2D Game Graphic Design in Photoshop
Learn how you can create your own professional game graphics quickly in Photoshop!...
4. Introduction to Game Localization
Become a translator, tester or project manager specialized in gamelocalization and get paid for your gaming passion...
5. Learn Professional 2D Game Asset Graphic Design in Photoshop
Become an exquisite game designer and start creating game art today!...
6. ESG Reporting for Businesses
ESG Reporting - from beginner to expert...
7. Game Writing: Storytelling through Video Game Design
Write and design your own games; develop ideas, character and plot to create a compelling storyworld. (Made with Unity)...
8. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
9. Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design
Design 4 Beautiful eye catching Graphic Design Projects from Scratch with Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design Basics...
10. Photoshop CC for Beginners: Adobe Photoshop Course
This Adobe Photoshop CC course will teach you the basics of Photoshop for web design, graphic design, photography & more...
11. Become a Professional Football (Soccer) Coach
The Complete Guide on how to become a Professional Football (Soccer) Coach...
12. Adobe Illustrator for Mobile Game Art - A Beginners Guide
Create mobile game art in Adobe illustrator just by using basic concepts, essential tools and proven workflows...
13. Report Writing Made Simple
Writing a report step by step. Planning to proofing - for a polished, professional, persuasive business report...
14. Report Writing: Learn To Write An Analytical Business Report
Report writing: learn to write analytical business reports and informational business reports that sparkle and impress...
15. Crystal Reports for SAP Business One Mastery Training Course
Learn how to easily create and modify SAP Business One reports and layouts using Crystal Reports...
16. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
17. Graphic Design Masterclass: Design 40+ Projects in Photoshop
Use Photoshop to create YT thumbnails, banners, catalogues, Instagram & Facebook Graphics, Cards, CV, Newsletters & more...
18. Sustainability Reporting with GRI Standards
GRI Sustainability Reporting - Understanding the Standards...
19. Learn 2D Game Special Effect Animation in Photoshop
The best Game special effects animation course on the market...
20. IT Governance: A Guide for IT Professionals
IT Governance made easy. Learn the fundamentals of IT governance and its role in the management and use of IT...
Top 10 most affordable universities for beat reporters
The most affordable schools for beat reporters are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for beat reporters 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 beat reporters.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for beat reporters
The hardest universities for beat reporters to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for beat reporters 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 beat reporters 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
6. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for beat reporters
The easiest schools for beat reporters to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, notre dame de namur university, and rochester university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a beat reporter 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 beat reporters.
1. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average beat reporter salary by education level
| Beat reporter education level | Beat reporter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $72,532 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $68,522 |
Beat reporter education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for beat reporter jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025