Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Copy editor and staff writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a copy editor and staff writer. Copy editor and staff writers usually study journalism, communication, or english. 88% of copy editor and staff writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 6% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 260 real copy editor and staff writer resumes to see exactly what copy editor and staff writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for copy editor and staff writers are the Auburn University Main Campus and the Auburn University Main Campus.
There are also many online copy editor and staff writer courses to help get the education required to be a copy editor and staff writer.
What education do you need to become a copy editor and staff writer?
What degree do you need to be a copy editor and staff writer?
- Bachelor's, 88%
- Associate, 6%
- Master's, 4%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a copy editor and staff writer?
- Journalism, 28%
- Communication, 21%
- English, 16%
- Writing, 8%
- Other Majors, 27%
Most common colleges for copy editor and staff writers
| Copy editor and staff writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Auburn University Main Campus | 10.00% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 10.00% |
| University of California - Davis | 8.00% |
| University of Richmond | 6.00% |
| Temple University | 6.00% |
Best majors for copy editor and staff writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 28.5% |
| 2 | Communication | 20.6% |
| 3 | English | 16.4% |
| 4 | Writing | 7.9% |
| 5 | Political Science | 4.8% |
Best colleges for copy editor and staff writers
The best colleges for copy editor and staff writers are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
A copy editor and staff writer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for copy editor and staff writers. 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 copy editor and staff writers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
20 best online courses for copy editor and staff writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Practical Vim Editor Commands On Linux
Vim, or vi improved, is a standard editor on Linux. It comes with virtually every version of Linux out there and is available on Mac and Windows as well. If you are in a situation where you need to edit from the command line, for example when you ssh into another system, vim will be there. Vim is an ordinary text editor, like notepad. It inserts no special characters into the text document unless you tell it to. Vim has some powerful commands that make it fast and efficient. Vim also has a...
2. The Critical Role of IT Support Staff in Healthcare
This is a very exciting time to be exploring a career in Health IT Support! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about various roles in IT support that are common in healthcare. IT support staff play critical roles in many different healthcare venues. In addition to helping clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms, you may end up providing support in a skilled nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, virtual care setting, or even a patient’s home! On any given day, you may interact...
3. How to Become a Freelance Editor: Make Money Copy Editing
Learn how to start or add editing to your freelance offerings!...
4. Learn To Code Like a Pro With VI Editor
Master the powerful command line text editors VI and VIM and take your development skills to the next level...
5. Teaching Reluctant Writers
All educators will encounter students who struggle with writing. This course first focuses on the reasons student writers may be reluctant and then provides learners with a variety of strategies and practices to help reluctant writers develop a greater comfort and confidence with writing. Learners will examine classroom relationships, mentoring, scaffolding, conferencing, low-risk writing and mini-lessons, all tools and techniques that can be brought right into the classroom to help struggling...
6. Kickstart a Freelance Editor & Proofreader Career on Upwork
The Complete Guide to Satisfying Clients and Growing Your Freelancing Business...
7. Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer
Ex-Wall Street Journal Editor Teaches How To Write With Impeccable Style...
8. Become a Freelance Content Writer - Get Paid to Write Online
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a freelance writer - Work from home!...
9. Proofreading Power Basics
Learn to proofread from an experienced educator and subject matter expert...
10. Conquering Writer's Block (Writing Mastery)
Proven strategies and tools to overcome writer's block, renew your motivation, and write novels with confidence...
11. Grant Writing for Nonprofits and Freelance Writers
Learn how to grantsmith winning proposals, think like a funder, draft a solid boilerplate, and build relationships...
12. Copywriting 2023 Persuasive Copy Writing Mastery with Dekker
Your Complete Guide to Copywriting in 2023: Learn Copy Writing with a Fortune 100 Copywriter with a Kellogg MBA...
13. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)
A fun, interactive workshop to help young writers unlock their creativity, improve their craft, and write better stories...
14. How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide
Identify and Remove Embarrassing Mistakes from Documents...
15. Write to Ignite - Master the Art of Sales Copy & Copywriting
Writing sales copy is critical to content marketing/writing. Learn copywriting today and write copy that gets the click...
16. Copywriting: Master Content Writing & Copy Writing in 2023
Copy Writing that Sells: Social Media, Email Marketing, Websites & Landing Pages, Content Writing, Freelance Copywriter...
17. Copywriting: Persuasive Writing Ft. Two Forbes Writers
Forbes Contributors Renee Sylvestre-Williams & Matthew Rolnick offer a Comprehensive Guide to Persuasive Copywriting...
18. Complete Introduction to Power BI Query Editor
Learn how to import, transform and prepare data using the Query Editor in Microsoft Power BI...
19. Start A Profitable Freelance Writing Business In 5 Weeks
How To Earn Between £30 - £100/Hr As A Commercial Freelance Writer In Your Local Area, With Virtually ZERO Competition...
20. 3-Step Writing System: Blogging & Writing Secrets
Blogging & writing tips for beginners to pros. Become an expert blogger/freelance writer. Ultimate blog writing course!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for copy editor and staff writers
The most affordable schools for copy editor and staff writers 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 copy editor and staff writers 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 copy editor and staff writers.
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. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for copy editor and staff writers
The hardest universities for copy editor and staff writers to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for copy editor and staff writers 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 copy editor and staff writers 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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for copy editor and staff writers
The easiest schools for copy editor and staff writers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and saint joseph's college of maine.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a copy editor and staff writer 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 copy editor and staff writers.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
6. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
9. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average copy editor and staff writer salary by education level
| Copy editor and staff writer education level | Copy editor and staff writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $69,125 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,008 |
| Doctorate Degree | $73,113 |
Copy editor and staff writer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for copy editor and staff writer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025