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Investigative reporter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an investigative reporter. Investigative reporters usually study journalism, communication, or business. 75% of investigative reporters hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 477 real investigative reporter resumes to see exactly what investigative reporter education sections show.
The most common colleges for investigative reporters are the Arizona State University and the Arizona State University.
There are also many online investigative reporter courses to help get the education required to be an investigative reporter.
What education do you need to become an investigative reporter?
What degree do you need to be an investigative reporter?
- Bachelor's, 75%
- Master's, 11%
- Associate, 7%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an investigative reporter?
- Journalism, 39%
- Communication, 12%
- Business, 7%
- English, 7%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for investigative reporters
| Investigative reporter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 9.33% |
| Northwestern University | 8.00% |
| University of Florida | 6.67% |
| University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | 6.67% |
| Ohio University | 6.67% |
Best majors for investigative reporters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 38.5% |
| 2 | Communication | 12.2% |
| 3 | Business | 7.0% |
| 4 | English | 7.0% |
| 5 | Political Science | 5.6% |
Best colleges for investigative reporters
The best colleges for investigative reporters are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
An investigative reporter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for investigative reporters. 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 investigative reporters.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
20 best online courses for investigative reporters
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6. Custom Reports in Google Analytics
In this project, you will create three custom reports in Google Analytics, using three different methods. You will understand the building blocks of a custom report. You will determine what data is needed for a custom report. And, you will create the custom report to best meet your analysis and monitoring needs. You will also discover the Google Gallery where you can find various types of custom reports, and import the ones that best meet your needs. Note: This course works best for learners...
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9. Become a Journalist: Report the News!
This Specialization will develop and enhance your understanding of the global field of journalism. You'll learn best practices and ethical standards for newsgathering processes and compiling a news report through hands-on projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and issue exploration. You will also study journalism's impact on societal issues and trends, plus explore career opportunities in newspapers, magazine, social media, Internet multimedia, television, radio, corporate and community journalism...
10. Investigative Journalism
How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...
11. Introduction to Criminal Psychology
Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...
12. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 1 (SSRS)
Learn how to create from simple to complex reports for your business decision making needs...
13. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
14. SAP Crystal Reports 2020 (and earlier versions)
How to create reports quickly and easily. For SAP Crystal Reports 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2020...
15. Mastering SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) From Scratch
Learn How to Create Reports using SSRS 2017 From Scratch Step By Step...
16. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
17. ESG Reporting for Businesses
ESG Reporting - from beginner to expert...
18. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
19. Advanced Crystal Reports 2011 Training Video
A Comprehensive Crystal Reports Training Course That Takes Your Crystal Reports Skills To The Next Level...
20. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course
Protect your network - Put cybercriminals in jail. Learn computer forensics, malware analysis and hacker investigations...
Top 10 most affordable universities for investigative reporters
The most affordable schools for investigative reporters are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for investigative reporters 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 investigative reporters.
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. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for investigative reporters
The hardest universities for investigative reporters to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for investigative reporters 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 investigative reporters 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for investigative reporters
The easiest schools for investigative reporters to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an investigative reporter 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 investigative reporters.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
Average investigative reporter salary by education level
| Investigative reporter education level | Investigative reporter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $70,681 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,477 |
Investigative reporter education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025