Post job

Film sound coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a film sound coordinator. Film sound coordinators usually study communication, photography, or business. 74% of film sound coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 292 real film sound coordinator resumes to see exactly what film sound coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for film sound coordinators are the University of Washington and the University of Washington.

There are also many online film sound coordinator courses to help get the education required to be a film sound coordinator.

What education do you need to become a film sound coordinator?

What degree do you need to be a film sound coordinator?

The most common degree for film sound coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 74% of film sound coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 9% and associate degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Master's, 6%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a film sound coordinator?

You should major in communication to become a film sound coordinator. 17% of film sound coordinators major in communication. Other common majors for a film sound coordinator include photography and business.

Most common colleges for film sound coordinators

Film sound coordinators often get their degrees at University of Washington, Texas State University, and Full Sail University. Here are the most common colleges for film sound coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Film sound coordinator common collegePercentages
University of Washington13.04%
Texas State University6.52%
Full Sail University6.52%
University of California - Davis6.52%
University of Connecticut4.35%

Best majors for film sound coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Communication17.4%
2Photography16.7%
3Business7.6%
4English5.3%
5Entertainment Business4.5%

Best colleges for film sound coordinators

The best colleges for film sound coordinators are Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A film sound coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for film sound coordinators. 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 film sound coordinators.

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$33,570

Enrollment

1,991

6. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

20 best online courses for film sound coordinators

Advertising disclosure

1. Ultimate Sound Design: Mastering Sound Design

udemy
4.5
(1,367)

Master sound design for music production, game audio development, film scoring, composition, and more!...

2. SOUND for Film and Television

udemy
4.6
(629)

A 2-1/2-hour, entertaining, funny, and immersive romp into what you need to know to start getting great sound...

3. Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film

udemy
4.8
(995)

Skip Film School! Learn to be a Film Director and Distribute Your Movie Around the World...

4. Xfer Serum Synthesizer - Sound Design + Music Production

udemy
4.6
(436)

Learn about Creating your own Sounds, Sound Design, Synthesis + Music Production in Serum Synthesizer by Xfer...

5. Sound Design 102: Using Synthesis for Music Production

udemy
4.2
(792)

Using Ableton Live and Reason, we will learn how to craft sounds using any synthesizer to make our tracks amazing...

6. Sound Design 101: Using Sampling for Music Production

udemy
4.2
(278)

Using Ableton Live and Reason, we will learn how to craft sounds using any synthesizer to make amazing beats and tracks...

7. The Sound Kitchen - Great sound made easy

udemy
4.7
(792)

Sound Engineering course for musicians, volunteers, professionals. For both beginners and people with some knowledge...

8. Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Accredited Practitioner Course

udemy
4.7
(2,236)

Learn How Sound can Balance & Heal, How to Run Your Own Sound Healing Sessions & Play 10 instruments. Accredited Course...

9. Soundtrack Composer Masterclass: Score Films and Video Games

udemy
4.3
(393)

Compose Epic Music Soundtracks Scores For Film, TV, & Video Games. Master Orchestration With Software. Be A Composer...

10. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course

udemy
4.5
(473)

Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...

11. Film, TV, & Video Game Music Composition + Production Basics

udemy
4.5
(1,277)

#1 Music Composition, Production, Technology, & Business Course...

12. Screenwriting 101: Writing for Film & Television

udemy
4.3
(340)

Real World Film School. Learn Film & TV from someone with a 30+ year career selling Film & TV Screenplays & Producing TV...

13. Beginner's Course in Film Making and Video Production

udemy
4.3
(276)

Learn video production and story techniques to make your vision come to life.. Get financing, Get on IMDB fast and easy...

14. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass

udemy
4.4
(1,976)

Learn How to Be a Working Hollywood Director, Take Your Filmmaking, Film School & Video Production to the Next Level...

15. Crystal Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training

udemy
4.8
(1,933)

Learn To Play The Frosted Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls And Start Leading Your Own Group Sound Baths...

16. Certification in Sound Therapy & Sound Healing - Accredited

udemy
4.6
(371)

Become professional therapist / healer Fully Accredited Professional Sound Healing / Sound Therapy Certificate...

17. Film Scoring - Part 1 - Techniques For The Modern Composer

udemy
4
(379)

Master the Art of Composing For Film and Learn To Find Gigs Doing It...

18. Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course

udemy
4.7
(252)

Learn to Mix Live Sound...

19. Storyboarding for Film & Animation Part 2

udemy
4.9
(425)

Become a Storyboard Artist, learn professional skills for story boarding for Film, Animation & Gaming...

20. Secrets to Successful Documentary Film Production

udemy
4.5
(610)

Go behind-the-scenes with 24-EXCLUSIVE, VIDEO-BASED lessons covering everything from the PLANNING, to the SHOOTING, and...

Top 10 most affordable universities for film sound coordinators

The most affordable schools for film sound coordinators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for film sound coordinators 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 film sound coordinators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

7. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for film sound coordinators

The hardest universities for film sound coordinators to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for film sound coordinators 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 film sound coordinators 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

8. Hamilton College

Clinton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

21%

SAT average

1,446

9. Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

14%

SAT average

1,531

10. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for film sound coordinators

The easiest schools for film sound coordinators to get into are Barry University, kean university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a film sound coordinator 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 film sound coordinators.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

8. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average film sound coordinator salary by education level

According to our data, film sound coordinators with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $59,860 annually. Film sound coordinators with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $56,819.
Film sound coordinator education levelFilm sound coordinator salary
High School Diploma or Less$51,954
Bachelor's Degree$59,860
Some College/ Associate Degree$56,819

Film sound coordinator education FAQs

Search for film sound coordinator 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