Post job

Contract copywriter education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a contract copywriter. Contract copywriters usually study english, journalism, or writing. 81% of contract copywriters hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 326 real contract copywriter resumes to see exactly what contract copywriter education sections show.

The most common colleges for contract copywriters are the Boston University and the Boston University.

There are also many online contract copywriter courses to help get the education required to be a contract copywriter.

What education do you need to become a contract copywriter?

What degree do you need to be a contract copywriter?

The most common degree for contract copywriters is bachelor's degree, with 81% of contract copywriters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 81%
  • Master's, 13%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Doctorate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a contract copywriter?

You should major in english to become a contract copywriter. 23% of contract copywriters major in english. Other common majors for a contract copywriter include journalism and writing.

Most common colleges for contract copywriters

Contract copywriters often get their degrees at Boston University, Columbia College Chicago, and Academy of Art University. Here are the most common colleges for contract copywriters in the US based on their resumes.
Contract copywriter common collegePercentages
Boston University9.43%
Columbia College Chicago5.66%
Academy of Art University5.66%
University of Central Florida5.66%
College of William and Mary5.66%

Best majors for contract copywriters

RankMajorPercentages
1English23.3%
2Journalism13.4%
3Writing11.4%
4Communication8.4%
5Advertising6.4%

Best colleges for contract copywriters

The best colleges for contract copywriters are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A contract copywriter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for contract copywriters. 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 contract copywriters.

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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for contract copywriters

Advertising disclosure

1. Best of Copywriting & SEO: Content, Copywriting & SEO Course

udemy
4.2
(410)

Learn SEO, Content Marketing & Copywriting FAST & FUN. Enjoy Quizzes & Animated Videos. Download Professional Templates...

2. Best of Content Marketing, SEO & Copywriting + 23 Templates

udemy
4.4
(291)

Content Marketing, SEO & Copywriting Course filled With Animated Videos, Quizzes, Assignments & 23 Copywriting Templates...

3. Copywriting: Master Content Writing & Copy Writing in 2023

udemy
4.5
(819)

Copy Writing that Sells: Social Media, Email Marketing, Websites & Landing Pages, Content Writing, Freelance Copywriter...

4. The Complete SEO, Local SEO, Copywriting & WordPress Course

udemy
4.5
(348)

Be a SEO, Local SEO, Content Marketing, Copywriting & Word Press Websites Consultant - Profit with Fun Learn SEO Course...

5. Copywriting for Content and Udemy Course Creators Unofficial

udemy
4.8
(451)

Content Writing, Copy Editing, Proofreading and Copy Writing - Freelance Writing for Copywriting and Sales...

6. Copywriting & SEO for Beginners: Complete Copywriting Course

udemy
4.4
(333)

Enjoy SEO & Copywriting Animated Videos & Interactive Quizzes. Make Learning Fun. Use our Resource. Make your Life Easy...

7. The Complete AI-Powered Copywriting Course & ChatGPT Course

udemy
4.4
(1,215)

Become a Pro Copywriter with the Complete Copywriting & Content Marketing Course. Use Chat GPT. Get 70+ Pro Templates...

8. Copywriting Secrets: Become a Content Writing Expert

udemy
4.3
(474)

Discover secret copywriting power words and phrases proven to sell & persuade. Become a content writing expert...

9. Writing Tools & Hacks: Copywriting/Blogging/Content Writing

udemy
4.3
(4,839)

The best FREE writing tools & apps + Hacks to take your copywriting, blogging, & content writing to the next level...

10. Copywriting 2023 Persuasive Copy Writing Mastery with Dekker

udemy
4.8
(901)

Your Complete Guide to Copywriting in 2023: Learn Copy Writing with a Fortune 100 Copywriter with a Kellogg MBA...

11. Best of SEO: #1 SEO Training & Content Marketing Course 2023

udemy
4.3
(955)

Best of Search Engine Optimisation 2023: Ultimate Pro Edition. Become a SEO, Content Marketing & Copywriting Consultant...

12. Advanced Copywriting Strategies for Online Sales

udemy
4.2
(520)

The step-by-step system for turning online leads into buyers with advanced copywriting techniques...

13. Modern Copywriting: Writing copy that sells in 2023

udemy
4.3
(5,136)

Learn how to strategically deliver words that get people to take action using the art and science of copywriting...

14. Alan Sharpe's 30-hr Copywriting Masterclass + ChatGPT tips

udemy
4.6
(3,047)

Master today's top-paying copywriting assignments. Also learn to harness AI Text Content Generation to improve your copy...

15. 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!...

16. Write to Ignite - Master the Art of Sales Copy & Copywriting

udemy
4.6
(644)

Writing sales copy is critical to content marketing/writing. Learn copywriting today and write copy that gets the click...

17. Copywriting - Become a Freelance Copywriter In 7 Days

udemy
4.2
(1,305)

Learn To Write Simple Sales Letters For Companies & Work From Home As A Freelance Copywriter. No Experience Required!...

18. Complete Google SEO & Copywriting with ChatGPT Course 2023

udemy
4.1
(263)

SEO & Copywriting with Chat GPT Made Easy & Fun. Unveiling the 2023's Game-Changer: Master SEO & Copywriting with Chat GPT...

19. Copywriting Headline Masterclass

udemy
4.4
(617)

Copywriting - Discover The Best Well-Kept Secrets Of The Most Famous Copywriters In The World About Writing A Headline...

20. SEO Copywriting: Rank and Get the Click

udemy
4.3
(373)

How to write content that both humans and search engines will love...

Top 10 most affordable universities for contract copywriters

The most affordable schools for contract copywriters are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for contract copywriters 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 contract copywriters.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

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. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

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 contract copywriters

The hardest universities for contract copywriters to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for contract copywriters 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 contract copywriters 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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for contract copywriters

The easiest schools for contract copywriters to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and our lady of the lake university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a contract copywriter 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 contract copywriters.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

4. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

5. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average contract copywriter salary by education level

According to our data, contract copywriters with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $75,224 annually. Contract copywriters with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $69,985.
Contract copywriter education levelContract copywriter salary
Master's Degree$69,985
Bachelor's Degree$69,723
Doctorate Degree$75,224

Contract copywriter education FAQs

Search for contract copywriter 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