Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Cinematographer, editor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a cinematographer, editor. Cinematographers, editor usually study photography, communication, or fine arts. 76% of cinematographers, editor hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,273 real cinematographer, editor resumes to see exactly what cinematographer, editor education sections show.
The most common colleges for cinematographers, editor are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.
There are also many online cinematographer, editor courses to help get the education required to be a cinematographer, editor.
What education do you need to become a cinematographer, editor?
What degree do you need to be a cinematographer, editor?
- Bachelor's, 76%
- Associate, 12%
- Master's, 4%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a cinematographer, editor?
- Photography, 51%
- Communication, 12%
- Fine Arts, 5%
- Digital Media, 5%
- Other Majors, 27%
Most common colleges for cinematographers, editor
| Cinematographer, editor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 13.70% |
| Columbia College Chicago | 7.53% |
| University of California - Davis | 7.53% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 6.85% |
| New York University | 6.16% |
Best majors for cinematographers, editor
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 50.7% |
| 2 | Communication | 12.3% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 5.4% |
| 4 | Digital Media | 4.8% |
| 5 | Journalism | 3.1% |
Best colleges for cinematographers, editor
The best colleges for cinematographers, editor are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A cinematographer, editor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cinematographers, editor. 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 cinematographers, editor.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. American University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$48,459
Enrollment
7,485
20 best online courses for cinematographers, editor
Advertising disclosure
1. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere
Learn Beginner-Advanced Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing, Audio Editing, Color Grading, Motion Graphics, Green Screen+...
3. Adobe Premiere Pro: Color Grading Masterclass (Updated)
Learn Color Correction & Color Grading and Create Professional Cinematic Looks with Adobe Premiere Pro...
4. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Crash Course
In this Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Course you will go from beginner to pro in under 4 hours! Filmmaking & Video Prod...
5. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro
Learn Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro with Color Correction & Color Grading and Professional Video Editing practices...
6. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery
Learning Final Cut Pro X. A detailed course aimed at teaching users how to use FCP X on the Mavericks or Yosemite OS...
7. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial
Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...
8. Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CC for Beginners
Learn how to start editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with these simple follow along tutorials...
9. Video Editing in Final Cut Pro: Learn the Basics in 1 Hour
Learn editing with Final Cut Pro in the shortest time. Perfect for the beginning editor or new content creator...
10. Adobe Premiere Pro CS6: The Complete Video Editing Course
Learn Adobe Premiere Pro with these easy-to-follow Premiere Pro video editing tutorials...
11. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate
Learn how to edit videos using Final Cut Pro X with easy-to-follow Final Cut Pro tutorials From Beginner to Intermediate...
12. Music Production in Logic Pro X: Digital Audio Mastering
Learn how to confidently master tracks in Logic Pro X The Complete Audio Mastering in Music Production Course...
13. Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X - The Complete Guide
Become a master at using Logic Pro X Understand music production Learn to record, edit & mix audio to a pro standard...
14. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today
Learn how to shoot beautiful video with your DSLR camera. This is the perfect video course for beginners and hobbyists...
15. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Beginner Video Editing
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
16. Adobe Premiere Pro 2022 Video Editing Course Beginner to Pro
The whole course lasts for about 8 hours, I can promise very exciting journey to the world of video editing...
17. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Complete A Video Editing Project
We supply the footage and audio! Learn how to edit an engaging video using Adobe Premiere Pro CC from start to finish...
18. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Learn Video Editing In Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro CC video editing for beginners: Edit footage, audio, make titles & more using Adobe Premiere Pro CC...
19. Music Production in Ableton Live 10 - The Complete Course!
Learn Music Production in Ableton Live 10 Today and Understand how to Create, Record and Edit Your Own Music + Live Sets...
20. Video Production Masterclass: Beginner to Pro Video Creation
Create Stunning Videos as a Youtuber, Filmmaker, Vlogger, Journalist or Cinematographer. Learn Sound, Lighting & More!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for cinematographers, editor
The most affordable schools for cinematographers, editor are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for cinematographers, editor 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 cinematographers, editor.
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. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cinematographers, editor
The hardest universities for cinematographers, editor to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for cinematographers, editor 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 cinematographers, editor 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Hamilton College
Clinton, NY • Private
Admissions rate
21%
SAT average
1,446
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cinematographers, editor
The easiest schools for cinematographers, editor to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cinematographer, editor 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 cinematographers, editor.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
9. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
10. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
Average cinematographer, editor salary by education level
| Cinematographer, editor education level | Cinematographer, editor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,700 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $55,640 |
| Doctorate Degree | $66,533 |
Cinematographer, editor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for cinematographer, editor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025