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Freelance videographer/editor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a freelance videographer/editor. Freelance videographer/editors usually study photography, communication, or digital media. 75% of freelance videographer/editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 8,871 real freelance videographer/editor resumes to see exactly what freelance videographer/editor education sections show.

The most common colleges for freelance videographer/editors are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.

There are also many online freelance videographer/editor courses to help get the education required to be a freelance videographer/editor.

There are certain freelance videographer/editor certifications that you should consider. These freelance videographer/editor certifications include Apple Certified Pro- Final Cut Pro X and Product Specialist .

What education do you need to become a freelance videographer/editor?

What degree do you need to be a freelance videographer/editor?

The most common degree for freelance videographer/editors is bachelor's degree, with 75% of freelance videographer/editors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 75%
  • Associate, 15%
  • Master's, 4%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a freelance videographer/editor?

You should major in photography to become a freelance videographer/editor. 36% of freelance videographer/editors major in photography. Other common majors for a freelance videographer/editor include communication and digital media.

Most common colleges for freelance videographer/editors

Freelance videographer/editors often get their degrees at Full Sail University, Columbia College Chicago, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for freelance videographer/editors in the US based on their resumes.
Freelance videographer/editor common collegePercentages
Full Sail University13.17%
Columbia College Chicago9.60%
Temple University7.54%
New York University5.49%
University of Texas at Austin5.35%

Best majors for freelance videographer/editors

Best colleges for freelance videographer/editors

The best colleges for freelance videographer/editors are Northwestern University, New York University, and Northeastern University.

A freelance videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/editors

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1. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today

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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

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Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...

4. Videography for Beginners: Shooting With a DSLR /Mirrorless

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Learn how to shoot videos with your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera Even If You Have No Prior Knowledge...

5. Video Editing in Final Cut Pro: Learn the Basics in 1 Hour

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Learn editing with Final Cut Pro in the shortest time. Perfect for the beginning editor or new content creator...

6. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Crash Course

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In this Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Course you will go from beginner to pro in under 4 hours! Filmmaking & Video Prod...

7. Premiere Pro Mastery: Professional Video Editing

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Unlock the Power of Premiere Pro: Master Advanced Techniques for Professional Video Editing, Color Grading, and Effects...

8. VIDEO EDITING. Techniques loved by pro broadcast filmmakers

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Creative video editing techniques used by professionals and taught by a veteran, international award-winning editor...

9. Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass

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Combo Course of Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Adobe Photoshop CC for Learning Video Editing and Graphics Design...

10. Video Production Bootcamp: Videography, Cinematography+

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Make better videos with the ultimate course on videography: video production, cinematography, editing & distribution...

11. Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

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Photography settings - learn how to get the most from your DSLR camera and improve your photography!...

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13. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate

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14. Video Production Masterclass: Complete Video Camera Course

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Learn to Use Any Photography Camera or Video Camera to Make Great Videos With Any Budget for Personal or Business Use...

15. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

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Learn Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro with Color Correction & Color Grading and Professional Video Editing practices...

16. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Complete A Video Editing Project

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17. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Learn Video Editing In Premiere Pro

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Adobe Premiere Pro CC video editing for beginners: Edit footage, audio, make titles & more using Adobe Premiere Pro CC...

18. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere

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Learn Beginner-Advanced Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing, Audio Editing, Color Grading, Motion Graphics, Green Screen+...

19. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial

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Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...

20. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

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Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

Top 10 most affordable universities for freelance videographer/editors

The most affordable schools for freelance videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/editors

The hardest universities for freelance videographer/editors to get into are Northwestern University, New York University, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for freelance videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/editors

The easiest schools for freelance videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/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 videographer/editor salary by education level

According to our data, freelance videographer/editors with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $50,672 annually. Freelance videographer/editors with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $47,438.
Freelance videographer/editor education levelFreelance videographer/editor salary
Bachelor's Degree$50,672
Some College/ Associate Degree$47,438

Freelance videographer/editor 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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