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Graphics editor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a graphics editor. Graphics editors usually study photography, graphic design, or fine arts. 69% of graphics editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 789 real graphics editor resumes to see exactly what graphics editor education sections show.

The most common colleges for graphics editors are the New York University and the New York University.

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

What education do you need to become a graphics editor?

What degree do you need to be a graphics editor?

The most common degree for graphics editors is bachelor's degree, with 69% of graphics editors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Associate, 16%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a graphics editor?

You should major in photography to become a graphics editor. 20% of graphics editors major in photography. Other common majors for a graphics editor include graphic design and fine arts.

Most common colleges for graphics editors

Graphics editors often get their degrees at New York University, American University, and Columbia College Chicago. Here are the most common colleges for graphics editors in the US based on their resumes.
Graphics editor common collegePercentages
New York University9.30%
American University8.14%
Columbia College Chicago6.98%
University of Southern California6.98%
Savannah College of Art and Design5.81%

Best majors for graphics editors

RankMajorPercentages
1Photography19.6%
2Graphic Design16.0%
3Fine Arts10.7%
4Communication9.0%
5Journalism6.3%

Best colleges for graphics editors

The best colleges for graphics editors are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.

A graphics 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 graphics 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 graphics editors.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

20 best online courses for graphics editors

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Top 10 most affordable universities for graphics editors

The most affordable schools for graphics editors are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for graphics 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 graphics editors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

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 graphics editors

The hardest universities for graphics editors to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for graphics 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 graphics 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. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for graphics editors

The easiest schools for graphics editors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a graphics 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 graphics editors.

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. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

9. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

10. Rosemont College

Rosemont, PA • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,026

Average graphics editor salary by education level

Graphics editors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $71,931 annually. With a Master's degree, graphics editors earn a median annual income of $68,323 compared to $63,669 for graphics editors with an Bachelor's degree.
Graphics editor education levelGraphics editor salary
Master's Degree$68,323
Bachelor's Degree$63,669
Doctorate Degree$71,931

Graphics 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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