Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Digital media director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a digital media director. Digital media directors usually study communication, marketing, or photography. 76% of digital media directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 650 real digital media director resumes to see exactly what digital media director education sections show.
The most common colleges for digital media directors are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online digital media director courses to help get the education required to be a digital media director.
What education do you need to become a digital media director?
What degree do you need to be a digital media director?
- Bachelor's, 76%
- Master's, 12%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a digital media director?
- Communication, 16%
- Marketing, 13%
- Photography, 9%
- Business, 8%
- Other Majors, 54%
Most common colleges for digital media directors
| Digital media director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 15.79% |
| Boston University | 8.42% |
| West Virginia University | 6.32% |
| Syracuse University | 5.26% |
| University of Florida | 5.26% |
Best majors for digital media directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 15.9% |
| 2 | Marketing | 12.8% |
| 3 | Photography | 8.6% |
| 4 | Business | 7.6% |
| 5 | Journalism | 7.6% |
Best colleges for digital media directors
The best colleges for digital media directors are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.
A digital media director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for digital media directors. 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 digital media directors.
1. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
3. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
8. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
9. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for digital media directors
Advertising disclosure
1. Product Management (Part Time)
Balance business viability, technical feasibility, and customer desire to lead products and features toward long-term success. Learn from a seasoned expert. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
2. Digital Marketing (Part Time)
Build confidence and capability to apply modern marketing strategies on the job. Drive growth with multichannel campaigns powered by data and customer insight. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
3. Predictive Analytics for Business
Learn to apply predictive analytics and business intelligence to solve real-world business problems...
4. Marketing Analytics
Gain an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and marketing analytics. Analyze data and build models with Excel, Data Studio, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...
5. Digital Consumer Search and Marketing
Digital Consumer Search and Marketing builds on the foundations of digital consumer behaviour and digital marketing. You will learn how to optimise marketing efforts across digital channels.\n\nBy the end of the specialization, you will have a good understanding of the design and implementation of digital marketing strategies, as well as the importance and use of digital media and tools including:\n\nSearch Engine Optimization (SEO) Content Marketing Social Media Marketing Mobile Marketing Pay...
6. Digital Marketing Agency Start a Social Media Business
Build a Digital Marketing Agency Business with Social Media (SMMA), Chat GPT, Facebook Ads, Instagram, Word Press, SEO...
7. Learn Digital Marketing (12 Courses in 1)
Master Digital Marketing Strategy, SEO, Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Email, Analytics, Content Marketing & More...
8. Product Manager
Envision and lead the product strategy of industry-defining products, and learn to successfully bring them to market. Influence the execution of product development as a Product Manager, one of the most highly-coveted roles in technology...
9. Data Product Manager
Leverage data to build products that deliver the right experiences, to the right users, at the right time. Lead the development of data-driven products that position businesses to win in their market...
10. Best of Digital Marketing: #1 Digital Marketing Course 2023
Best of SEO, Digital Marketing & Social Media 2023: Ultimate Pro Edition. Be a Digital Marketing Consultant. Have Fun...
11. Social Media Marketing - Content Marketing Masterclass
Online Digital Marketing / Social Media Strategy For Beginners - Posts / Blogs / Podcasts / Video / Google Local SEO...
12. Digital Marketing
Gain real-world experience running live campaigns as you learn from top experts in the field. Launch your career with a 360-degree understanding of digital marketing...
13. AI for Business Leaders
Master the foundations of artificial intelligence so you can strategically implement AI in your company. Leverage machine learning technologies to power corporate growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experiences...
14. Digital Design Masterclass For Graphic Designers
Icon Set Design, E-book cover, Digitizing Sketches, Social Media Design, Wordpress Web Design, Adobe Xd, GIFS and more!...
15. Social Media Marketing Agency: Digital Marketing + Business
Learn to build a business, find clients, & social media marketing all in one. Facebook ads, Instagram, Google ads & .....
16. Business Analytics
In this program, you will learn foundational data skills that apply across functions and industries. You will learn to analyze data and build models with Excel, query databases using SQL, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...
17. AI Product Manager
Learn to develop AI products that deliver business value. Build skills that help you compete in the new AI-powered world...
18. The Ultimate SEO, Social Media, & Digital Marketing Course
Copywriting, Chat GPT, SEO, Google Ads, You Tube Ads, Bing Ads, Meta Ads, Linked In Ads, Word Press, Woo Commerce, GA4 + more...
19. The Complete Digital Marketing Course - 12 Courses in 1
Master Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media Marketing, SEO, You Tube, Email, Facebook Marketing, Analytics & More!...
20. Growth Product Manager
Hone specialized Product Management skills in growth strategy. Lead experimentation and data-driven decision-making in your organization to drive products to reach the next level of scale, impact, and profitability...
Top 10 most affordable universities for digital media directors
The most affordable schools for digital media directors are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for digital media directors 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 digital media directors.
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. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for digital media directors
The hardest universities for digital media directors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for digital media directors 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 digital media directors 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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for digital media directors
The easiest schools for digital media directors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a digital media director 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 digital media directors.
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. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
6. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
7. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
8. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
Average digital media director salary by education level
| Digital media director education level | Digital media director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $117,535 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $103,095 |
| Doctorate Degree | $123,104 |
Digital media director education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for digital media director jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025