Post Job

File Clerk Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a file clerk. File clerks usually study business, general studies, or criminal justice. 31% of file clerks hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 55,650 real file clerk resumes to see exactly what file clerk education sections show.

The most common colleges for file clerks are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online file clerk courses to help get the education required to be a file clerk.

There are certain file clerk certifications that you should consider. These file clerk certifications include Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and Word 2010 Certification.

What education do you need to become a file clerk?

What degree do you need to be a file clerk?

The most common degree for file clerks is bachelor's degree, with 31% of file clerks earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 31% and high school diploma degree at 23%.
  • Bachelor's, 31%
  • High School Diploma, 31%
  • Associate, 23%
  • Diploma, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a file clerk?

You should major in business to become a file clerk. 22% of file clerks major in business. Other common majors for a file clerk include general studies and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for file clerks

File clerks often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Miami Dade College, and California State University - San Bernardino. Here are the most common colleges for file clerks in the US based on their resumes.
File Clerk Common CollegePercentages
University of Phoenix20.36%
Miami Dade College7.58%
California State University - San Bernardino5.27%
Florida State University5.13%
University of California, Santa Barbara4.53%

Best majors for file clerks

Best colleges for file clerks

The best colleges for file clerks are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.

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

1. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-State Tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Ball State University

Muncie, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,896

Enrollment

15,529

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

In-State Tuition

$11,105

Enrollment

13,729

6. Cedar Crest College

Allentown, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$39,216

Enrollment

1,303

7. Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,900

Enrollment

6,404

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

10. University of Akron

Akron, OH • Private

In-State Tuition

$11,463

Enrollment

13,676

20 best online courses for file clerks

Advertising Disclosure

1. Read an Input File with COBOL

coursera

In this project you will use COBOL code to read the data records from a sequential file. You will code, compile, and run programs using the PC-based COBOL IDE called OpenCobolIDE. Since COBOL is often used with large amounts of data, the ability to process files—to read the records in them as input and write the records as output—is a critical skill for any COBOL programmer...

2. Introduction to AWS Elastic File System

coursera

Amazon Elastic File System offers a simple interface that allows you to create and configure file systems quickly and easily in AWS. By the end of this project, you will get a real world experience of working with EFS on a production environment. The Idea is to create an EFS in AWS and create a text document using one Linux Instance and access the same document via another Linux Instance...

3. Surviving Digital Forensics: Link Files

udemy
4
(263)

A computer forensic guide for understanding LINK file evidence on Windows computer systems...

4. Computer Organization and How to Organize Computer Files

udemy
4.1
(1,198)

Discover how to create Virtual Filing Cabinets and how to organize everything on your computer. Go Paperless today...

5. IBM COBOL Data and File Management

coursera

Welcome to IBM COBOL – Data and File Management! By enrolling in this course, you are taking a big step in increasing your knowledge and hands on experience with IBM COBOL data and file management. In this course, you will learn the fundamental elements of COBOL code. You will learn the process of working with COBOL data. You will learn handling COBOL files. This course also relational databases in a mainframe, COBOL context. So let’s get started!...

6. Use C# streams to read and write file data

coursera

By the end of this project, you will Use C# streams to read and write file data in a C# program. The C# Stream class is used to process data from various sources including internet data, in-memory data, and file data. The File Stream class implements the Stream class to provide convenient access to file data...

7. File & Folder Management Using PowerShell

udemy
4.5
(378)

Learn File, Folder and Location Management With Power Shell - Practicing Field case examples, Scripts & Demos...

8. Microsoft Access VBA: Automating Import of Excel Files

udemy
4.4
(488)

Learn how to completely automate the periodic import of Excel files!...

9. Files and directories in the Linux filesystem

coursera

In this project, you will use Linux commands to traverse Linux directories and list files. You will also learn where certain files are stored, how to change permissions to allow access, and how to decide where files should reside. Linux is a popular operating system that is based on the Unix operating system. It has many distributions which have different interfaces for installing software, different user interfaces, and so on. Each distribution has a similar filesystem with directories used to...

10. Python Scripting: Files, Inheritance, and Databases

coursera

This course is the third course in a series that aims to prepare you for a role working as a programmer. In this course, you will be introduced to the three main concepts in programming: Files, Inheritance and external libaries. Labs will allow the students to apply the material in the lectures in simple computer programs designed to re-enforce the material in the lesson...

11. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

udemy
4.6
(518)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

12. Akashic Records Foundation Course CERTIFIED

udemy
4.1
(337)

Learn How to Enter, Read and Alter the Akashic Records and Gain Access to Your Past Lives or Personal and Family Karma...

13. Build a Serverless App with Cloud Run that Creates PDF Files

coursera

In this lab you will build a PDF converter web app on Cloud Run, a serverless service, that automatically converts files stored in Cloud Storage into PDFs stored in segregated folders...

14. Managing Linux users & Access Control List file permissions

coursera

By the end of this project, you will be able to apply and practice the important commands needed to manage your Linux system efficiently. You will be able to access information related to the user and its group ID in your Linux system using the “id” command. You will be able to switch to the root user and use it to run commands that need full privileges. Moreover, you will be able to create, modify, and delete users and groups and manage their passwords across your Linux system. Also, you will...

15. Recording Your Own Music: A Step-By-Step Guide for Musicians

udemy
4.8
(427)

Learn how to record, edit and mix your own songs at home in this comprehensive beginner-friendly music production course...

16. C++ Working with Files - fstream I/O library

udemy
4.3
(376)

Learn how to easily use the fstream library with the help of expert. Handle file operations without any problems!...

17. Java Basic Structures: Arrays, Strings, and Files

coursera

Code and run your first Java program in minutes without installing anything! This course is designed for learners with limited coding experience, providing a solid foundation of not just Java, but core Computer Science topics that can be transferred to other languages. The modules in this course cover arrays, strings, and files. Completion of Java Basics: Selection and Iteration before taking this course is recommended. To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course...

18. Connecting to your Akashic Records Certification

udemy
4.5
(884)

Become an Akashic Records reader and your own intuitive channel to access spiritual healing...

19. Professional Certification in Akashic Records (Accredited)

udemy
4.4
(641)

Become a Professional Akashic Record Reader to access and modify records and soul contract ⚫ UK Accredited Qualification...

20. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist

udemy
4.4
(811)

Health Information Technology HIT...

Top 10 most affordable universities for file clerks

The most affordable schools for file clerks are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for file clerks 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 file clerks.

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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Cost of Attendance

16,714

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,064

Cost of Attendance

15,576

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,942

Cost of Attendance

14,469

7. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,419

Cost of Attendance

17,697

8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,240

Cost of Attendance

13,991

9. Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,768

Cost of Attendance

15,506

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,238

Cost of Attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for file clerks

The hardest universities for file clerks to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College.

Some great schools for file clerks 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 file clerks 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

3. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

28%

SAT Average

1,429

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,492

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

40%

SAT Average

1,376

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

20%

SAT Average

1,419

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

43%

SAT Average

1,338

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

31%

SAT Average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for file clerks

The easiest schools for file clerks to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and lim college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a file clerk 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 file clerks.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

964

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

994

3. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

83%

SAT Average

1,061

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

82%

SAT Average

983

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

70%

SAT Average

849

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,139

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

100%

SAT Average

1,072

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions Rate

97%

SAT Average

1,050

9. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID • Private

Admissions Rate

100%

SAT Average

1,009

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

85%

SAT Average

1,053

Average file clerk salary by education level

According to our data, file clerks with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $33,300 annually. File clerks with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $31,986.
File Clerk education levelFile Clerk salary
High School Diploma or Less$31,373
Bachelor's Degree$33,300
Some College/ Associate Degree$31,986

File Clerk Education FAQs

Search for file clerk 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 office and administrative jobs