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Journal clerk education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a journal clerk. Journal clerks usually study business, photography, or journalism. 65% of journal clerks hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 36 real journal clerk resumes to see exactly what journal clerk education sections show.

The most common colleges for journal clerks are the University of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky.

There are also many online journal clerk courses to help get the education required to be a journal clerk.

What education do you need to become a journal clerk?

What degree do you need to be a journal clerk?

The most common degree for journal clerks is bachelor's degree, with 65% of journal clerks earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 23% and high school diploma degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • High School Diploma, 23%
  • Associate, 12%

What should I major in to become a journal clerk?

You should major in business to become a journal clerk. 26% of journal clerks major in business. Other common majors for a journal clerk include photography and journalism.

Most common colleges for journal clerks

Journal clerks often get their degrees at University of Kentucky, Syracuse University, and Meredith College. Here are the most common colleges for journal clerks in the US based on their resumes.
Journal clerk common collegePercentages
University of Kentucky5.88%
Syracuse University5.88%
Meredith College5.88%
Brown University5.88%
Marquette University5.88%

Best majors for journal clerks

RankMajorPercentages
1Business25.9%
2Photography7.4%
3Journalism7.4%
4Criminal Justice7.4%
5Political Science7.4%

Best colleges for journal clerks

The best colleges for journal clerks are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

A journal clerk with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for journal clerks. 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 journal clerks.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for journal clerks

Advertising disclosure

1. English for Journalism

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Welcome to English for Journalism, a course created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. To enroll in this course for free, click on “Enroll now” and then select "Full Course. No certificate." This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and...

2. Journalism, the future, and you!

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You will learn about the career paths that are available in journalism, and what opportunities the skill sets of a journalist can offer in other fields. You will explore areas such as being an international correspondent, self-publishing in journalism, as well as how to freelance in the field. You will be empowered to develop your own path in journalism, from being an active and informed consumer, to being a journalist. The worlds of business, communications, politics, education and marketing...

3. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries

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4.4
(1,649)

Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...

4. The Daily Journal - Habit of Successful People

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4.2
(2,829)

Learn and master the skill of keeping a journal...

5. Introduction to Financial Accounting: The Accounting Cycle

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In this hands-on Specialization you will practice completing each step of the accounting cycle within Microsoft Excel, from analyzing and recording the first financial transactions of the year all the way through starting the new fiscal year.\n\nThe skills covered in this course include recording in the journal, posting in the ledgers, preparing financial statements, recording and posting closing entries, as well as preparing trial balances...

6. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

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Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

7. The Habit Journal™: How To Achieve Any Goal

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Learn how to use this simple daily journal to unleash the unstoppable power of habits (Course includes full PDF version)...

8. Investigative Journalism

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4.4
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How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...

9. The Complete Journaling Course: Build Self-Awareness Habits

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Learn the Journaling Habit - Increase Self-awareness Improve Note-Taking Skills Avoid Procrastination Organize Your Life...

10. Data Entry Skills: A Complete Data Entry Course from Scratch

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A Complete Guide to Data Entry Skills: Learn Data Entry Skills and become a Data Entry Pro & Get a Online Data Entry Job...

11. Journaling Mastery: Become Your Best Self

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Create a daily journaling habit that transforms your life, increases your happiness, and helps you achieve more...

12. Complete Data Entry Skills Course - Learn Data Entry Skills

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Learn Essential Data Entry Skills Now To Enhance Your Career -Word - Excel - Database - Data Entry Jobs...

13. Travel Journaling: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Diaries

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From the author of Globejotting: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals (and still have time to enjoy your trip!)...

14. Data Entry Course for Beginners

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Learn from a Successful Data Entry Professional!...

15. Dan Rather on Journalism & Finding the Truth in the News

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4.8
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Learn to ask the right questions & tell captivating stories. Practical advice for journalists & avid news consumers...

16. How to be a Journalist - The Complete Guide to Journalism

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All you need to know to become a freelance journalist or staffer and get paid for what you write...

17. Akashic Records Foundation Course CERTIFIED

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18. Professional Certification in Akashic Records (Accredited)

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19. Discover Your Soul's Journey with The Akashic Records

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Embark on a Spiritual Journey of Self-Discovery with The Akashic Records Uncover Your True Potential...

20. Connecting to your Akashic Records Certification

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Become an Akashic Records reader and your own intuitive channel to access spiritual healing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for journal clerks

The most affordable schools for journal clerks are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for journal clerks 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 journal clerks.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for journal clerks

The hardest universities for journal clerks to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Some great schools for journal clerks 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 journal clerks 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for journal clerks

The easiest schools for journal clerks to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a journal clerk 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 journal clerks.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average journal clerk salary by education level

Journal clerks with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $53,849 annually. With a Master's degree, journal clerks earn a median annual income of $52,901 compared to $52,433 for journal clerks with an Associate degree.
Journal clerk education levelJournal clerk salary
Master's Degree$52,901
High School Diploma or Less$52,228
Bachelor's Degree$53,849
Some College/ Associate Degree$52,433

Journal clerk 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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