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Ghost writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a ghost writer. Ghost writers usually study english, writing, or journalism. 70% of ghost writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 431 real ghost writer resumes to see exactly what ghost writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for ghost writers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online ghost writer courses to help get the education required to be a ghost writer.
What education do you need to become a ghost writer?
What degree do you need to be a ghost writer?
- Bachelor's, 70%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 9%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a ghost writer?
- English, 22%
- Writing, 15%
- Journalism, 9%
- Communication, 8%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for ghost writers
| Ghost writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 13.33% |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 6.67% |
| Florida State University | 6.67% |
| Arizona State University | 5.00% |
| University of Pittsburgh | 5.00% |
Best majors for ghost writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 22.2% |
| 2 | Writing | 14.7% |
| 3 | Journalism | 9.3% |
| 4 | Communication | 8.4% |
| 5 | Business | 8.0% |
Best colleges for ghost writers
The best colleges for ghost writers are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Northeastern University.
A ghost writer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for ghost writers. 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 ghost writers.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Houston
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$8,913
Enrollment
37,291
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
20 best online courses for ghost writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Teaching Reluctant Writers
All educators will encounter students who struggle with writing. This course first focuses on the reasons student writers may be reluctant and then provides learners with a variety of strategies and practices to help reluctant writers develop a greater comfort and confidence with writing. Learners will examine classroom relationships, mentoring, scaffolding, conferencing, low-risk writing and mini-lessons, all tools and techniques that can be brought right into the classroom to help struggling...
2. Create a Syllabus using Libre Writer
In this project, you will learn how to create a visually appealing course syllabus in Libre Writer. The key components of a course syllabus will be discussed. While adding these components to your document, you will use various features in Writer. You will apply styles, insert a bulleted list and a table to organize information, insert an image, and modify a table and image. Included Universal design formatting tips will describe options to help make your document accessible to all learners...
3. Become a Freelance Content Writer - Get Paid to Write Online
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a freelance writer - Work from home!...
4. Grant Writing for Nonprofits and Freelance Writers
Learn how to grantsmith winning proposals, think like a funder, draft a solid boilerplate, and build relationships...
5. Conquering Writer's Block (Writing Mastery)
Proven strategies and tools to overcome writer's block, renew your motivation, and write novels with confidence...
6. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)
A fun, interactive workshop to help young writers unlock their creativity, improve their craft, and write better stories...
7. 3-Step Writing System: Blogging & Writing Secrets
Blogging & writing tips for beginners to pros. Become an expert blogger/freelance writer. Ultimate blog writing course!...
8. Proofreading Power Basics
Learn to proofread from an experienced educator and subject matter expert...
9. Viral Blogging 101: Blogging & Content Writing Masterclass
Step-by-step blogging & content writing guide. Go from blank page to viral blog post. Become a blog writing pro...
10. Writing Tools & Hacks: Copywriting/Blogging/Content Writing
The best FREE writing tools & apps + Hacks to take your copywriting, blogging, & content writing to the next level...
11. Proposal Writing & Management (+APMP Foundation Exam Prep)
Everything you need to win big!...
12. How To Write A Business Proposal - Upwork - Proposal Writing
Secrets to Writing Business Proposals to Get Clients, Double/Tripple Your Success Rate and 10x Your Business!...
13. Advanced Upwork Proposals: Tips to Help Get More Responses!
Secrets to Write Better Upwork Proposals and Get a Response Even When 20-30 People Already Applied!...
14. Git and GitHub for Writers
Not a software developer? Learn how to use Git and Git Hub version control in a course specifically designed for writers...
15. Learn API Technical Writing 2: REST for Writers
API Documentation 2: Teaches technical writers how to document REST. No programming experience required...
16. Tech Writers Master Class
Learn professional writing skills that will help you advance in your career...
17. Learn API Technical Writing: JSON and XML for Writers
API Documentation 1: Teaches technical writers how to document structured data. No programming experience required...
18. Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar
Proofread Writing & Translation Like a Pro Be a Freelance Proofreader on Upwork Grasp Punctuation & Grammar...
19. Writing Revenue: Write Well, Get Published, & Earn Money
A practical guide to become a successful writer, get published in big publications, and generate a healthy income...
20. Freelance Article Writing: Start a Freelance Writing Career!
Learn to Create a Full or Part-Time Income as a Freelance Article Writer!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for ghost writers
The most affordable schools for ghost writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for ghost writers 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 ghost writers.
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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
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 ghost writers
The hardest universities for ghost writers to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for ghost writers 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 ghost writers 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
21%
SAT average
1,444
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for ghost writers
The easiest schools for ghost writers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and saint joseph's college of maine.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a ghost writer 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 ghost writers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
4. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
5. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
6. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
7. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average ghost writer salary by education level
| Ghost writer education level | Ghost writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $66,396 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $66,950 |
Ghost writer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025