Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Freelance video editor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a freelance video editor. Freelance video editors usually study photography, communication, or digital media. 76% of freelance video editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,150 real freelance video editor resumes to see exactly what freelance video editor education sections show.
The most common colleges for freelance video editors are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.
There are also many online freelance video editor courses to help get the education required to be a freelance video editor.
There are certain freelance video editor certifications that you should consider. These freelance video editor certifications include Apple Certified Pro- Final Cut Pro X and Digital Video Engineering Professional (DVEP).
What education do you need to become a freelance video editor?
What degree do you need to be a freelance video editor?
- Bachelor's, 76%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 5%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a freelance video editor?
- Photography, 31%
- Communication, 18%
- Digital Media, 6%
- Fine Arts, 5%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for freelance video editors
| Freelance video editor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 12.79% |
| Columbia College Chicago | 10.47% |
| New York University | 8.14% |
| School of Visual Arts | 7.36% |
| San Francisco State University | 5.43% |
Best majors for freelance video editors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 31.4% |
| 2 | Communication | 17.6% |
| 3 | Digital Media | 6.3% |
| 4 | Fine Arts | 5.3% |
| 5 | Journalism | 5.2% |
Best colleges for freelance video editors
The best colleges for freelance video editors are Northwestern University, New York University, and Northeastern University.
A freelance video editor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for freelance video editors. 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 freelance video editors.
1. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. Texas State University
San Marcos, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,280
Enrollment
34,187
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for freelance video editors
Advertising disclosure
1. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Crash Course
In this Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Course you will go from beginner to pro in under 4 hours! Filmmaking & Video Prod...
2. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery
Learning Final Cut Pro X. A detailed course aimed at teaching users how to use FCP X on the Mavericks or Yosemite OS...
3. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
4. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial
Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...
5. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today
Learn how to shoot beautiful video with your DSLR camera. This is the perfect video course for beginners and hobbyists...
6. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate
Learn how to edit videos using Final Cut Pro X with easy-to-follow Final Cut Pro tutorials From Beginner to Intermediate...
7. Video Editing in Final Cut Pro: Learn the Basics in 1 Hour
Learn editing with Final Cut Pro in the shortest time. Perfect for the beginning editor or new content creator...
8. Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass
Combo Course of Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Adobe Photoshop CC for Learning Video Editing and Graphics Design...
9. Video Editing Masterclass: Edit Your Videos Like a Pro!
The Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide to Edit Incredible Looking & Sounding Videos with Any Equipment or Software...
10. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere
Learn Beginner-Advanced Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing, Audio Editing, Color Grading, Motion Graphics, Green Screen+...
11. Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CC for Beginners
Learn how to start editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with these simple follow along tutorials...
12. Adobe Premiere Pro CS6: The Complete Video Editing Course
Learn Adobe Premiere Pro with these easy-to-follow Premiere Pro video editing tutorials...
13. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Beginner Video Editing
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
14. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro
Learn Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro with Color Correction & Color Grading and Professional Video Editing practices...
15. VIDEO EDITING. Techniques loved by pro broadcast filmmakers
Creative video editing techniques used by professionals and taught by a veteran, international award-winning editor...
16. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing for Beginners
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
17. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Complete Video Editing Masterclass
Start Editing Your Video Professionally with The POWERFULÂ Adobe Premiere Pro CC Software...
18. The Complete Talking Head Video Production Masterclass
Video Production - Building Confidence on Camera for Video Marketing - Filmmaking - Videography - Cinematography...
19. Premiere Pro Mastery: Professional Video Editing
Unlock the Power of Premiere Pro: Master Advanced Techniques for Professional Video Editing, Color Grading, and Effects...
20. Video Editing in Adobe Premiere - From Beginner to Pro
Make Any Video Look Like a Real Movie...
Top 10 most affordable universities for freelance video editors
The most affordable schools for freelance video editors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.
If the best universities for freelance video editors 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 freelance video editors.
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. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for freelance video editors
The hardest universities for freelance video editors to get into are Northwestern University, New York University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for freelance video editors 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 freelance video editors 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. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for freelance video editors
The easiest schools for freelance video editors to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a freelance video editor 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 freelance video editors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average freelance video editor salary by education level
| Freelance video editor education level | Freelance video editor salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,699 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $52,972 |
Freelance video editor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for freelance video editor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025