Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Business reporter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a business reporter. Business reporters usually study journalism, communication, or english. 81% of business reporters hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 593 real business reporter resumes to see exactly what business reporter education sections show.
The most common colleges for business reporters are the Northwestern University and the Northwestern University.
There are also many online business reporter courses to help get the education required to be a business reporter.
What education do you need to become a business reporter?
What degree do you need to be a business reporter?
- Bachelor's, 81%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a business reporter?
- Journalism, 39%
- Communication, 11%
- English, 9%
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for business reporters
| Business reporter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 14.53% |
| Boston University | 8.55% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.55% |
| University of Florida | 5.13% |
| Michigan State University | 5.13% |
Best majors for business reporters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 38.8% |
| 2 | Communication | 11.2% |
| 3 | English | 9.0% |
| 4 | Political Science | 8.5% |
| 5 | Business | 5.9% |
Best colleges for business reporters
The best colleges for business reporters are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
A business 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 business 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 business 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 business reporters
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. ESG Reporting for Businesses
ESG Reporting - from beginner to expert...
3. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development
Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...
4. SQL - MySQL for Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
SQL that will get you hired – SQL for Business Analysis, Marketing, and Data Management...
5. How To Write A Business Plan And A Winning Business Model
Business plan template & business plan examples: Create a top business model & business plan for your business ideas...
6. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
7. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
8. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development
The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...
9. Business analysis & Scrum with JIRA for Software development
Become a great Business analyst, Product owner & Scrum master with JIRA & Confluence. Business analysis & Scrum course...
10. Learn SSRS SQL Reporting & Business Intelligence Essentials
SQL Reporting using SSRS gives you hands-on knowledge to make great SQL reports with Business Intelligence essentials...
11. Fundamentals of Intelligent Sustainable Business
A 100-year guide for growing sustainable business...
12. MBA -The Business fundamentals + 30 hrs of business concepts
+ 30 hrs , This MBA course is designed to enhance your Business knowledge & learn the foundation concepts of businesses...
13. Business Coaching Certification FECBC Business Fundamentals
Business Fundamentals Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Fearless Business Coaches in Business Fundamentals Coaching...
14. Business Analysis Crash Course
Business Analysis Essentials; Become a Business Analyst with this business analysis course...
15. Entrepreneurship: How To Start A Business From Business Idea
Business and entrepreneurship fundamentals: strategies to turn your startup or business idea into a successful business...
16. The Ultimate Guide to Startup Business Development
Learn and master the function of business development in this practical, actionable, and content-rich training course...
17. Business Writing For Busy People
Get better results from your business writing - UPDATED FOR 2022...
18. Data Literacy and Business Analytics for Business Leaders
Improve your Data Literacy and Business Analytics. Apply Business Statistics for Data Driven Decision Making...
19. AI for Business Leaders
Learn and plan for the business opportunities and risks of AI in 2023...
20. How To Validate Any Business Idea
Use Our 1 Page Business Startup Guide to Quickly Test Your Business Ideas...
Top 10 most affordable universities for business reporters
The most affordable schools for business 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 business 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 business 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 business reporters
The hardest universities for business reporters to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for business 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 business 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 business reporters
The easiest schools for business 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 business 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 business 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 business reporter salary by education level
| Business reporter education level | Business reporter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $49,587 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,354 |
Business reporter education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for business reporter jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025