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Copy writer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a copy writer. Copy writers usually study english, communication, or journalism. 80% of copy writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,147 real copy writer resumes to see exactly what copy writer education sections show.

The most common colleges for copy writers are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online copy writer courses to help get the education required to be a copy writer.

What education do you need to become a copy writer?

What degree do you need to be a copy writer?

The most common degree for copy writers is bachelor's degree, with 80% of copy writers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 8% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 80%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Associate, 8%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a copy writer?

You should major in english to become a copy writer. 20% of copy writers major in english. Other common majors for a copy writer include communication and journalism.

Most common colleges for copy writers

Copy writers often get their degrees at New York University, University of Wisconsin Colleges, and Ohio State University. Here are the most common colleges for copy writers in the US based on their resumes.
Copy writer common collegePercentages
New York University8.66%
University of Wisconsin Colleges7.09%
Ohio State University5.51%
University of Massachusetts Boston5.51%
University of California - Davis5.51%

Best majors for copy writers

RankMajorPercentages
1English19.5%
2Communication15.5%
3Journalism12.8%
4Writing9.7%
5Business5.1%

Best colleges for copy writers

The best colleges for copy writers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A copy 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 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 writers.

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 copy writers

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

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4. The Ultimate Copywriting Course - Write Copy That Sells 2023

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The Most Effective Copywriting Secrets & Strategies You Wish You Knew About - Become A Better Copywriter Today...

5. Modern Copywriting: Writing copy that sells in 2023

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

6. Copywriting secrets - How to write copy that sells

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Discover the secrets of copywriting success from the master. From novice to pro in easy stages...

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

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

8. Web Content Writing Masterclass in 2023+Power words eBook

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

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

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

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

15. Copywriting Secrets: Become a Content Writing Expert

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16. Viral Blogging 101: Blogging & Content Writing Masterclass

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18. Copywriting & SEO for Beginners: Complete Copywriting Course

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19. Copywriting: Persuasive Writing Ft. Two Forbes Writers

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Forbes Contributors Renee Sylvestre-Williams & Matthew Rolnick offer a Comprehensive Guide to Persuasive Copywriting...

20. The Ultimate Marketing Training 2020 - Sales Copy Academy

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10X Your Sales Using The Secrets of the Most Successful Companies in History...

Top 10 most affordable universities for copy writers

The most affordable schools for copy writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for copy 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 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. 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. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

10. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for copy writers

The hardest universities for copy writers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Some great schools for copy 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 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for copy writers

The easiest schools for copy writers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and rochester university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a copy 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 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. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

4. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

5. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average copy writer salary by education level

According to our data, copy writers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $74,297 annually. Copy writers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $69,002.
Copy writer education levelCopy writer salary
Master's Degree$69,002
Bachelor's Degree$68,738
Doctorate Degree$74,297

Copy writer education FAQs

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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.

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