Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Newspaper writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a newspaper writer. Newspaper writers usually study communication, journalism, or english. 74% of newspaper writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 247 real newspaper writer resumes to see exactly what newspaper writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for newspaper writers are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.
There are also many online newspaper writer courses to help get the education required to be a newspaper writer.
What education do you need to become a newspaper writer?
What degree do you need to be a newspaper writer?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 10%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a newspaper writer?
- Communication, 26%
- Journalism, 13%
- English, 13%
- Writing, 6%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for newspaper writers
| Newspaper writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Florida State University | 8.82% |
| Linfield College | 5.88% |
| Emerson College | 5.88% |
| Marist College | 5.88% |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 5.88% |
Best majors for newspaper writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 25.8% |
| 2 | Journalism | 12.9% |
| 3 | English | 12.9% |
| 4 | Writing | 6.5% |
| 5 | Marketing | 4.8% |
Best colleges for newspaper writers
The best colleges for newspaper writers are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A newspaper 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 newspaper 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 newspaper writers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
9. Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$48,350
Enrollment
4,103
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
20 best online courses for newspaper 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. How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide
Identify and Remove Embarrassing Mistakes from Documents...
4. Proofreading Power Basics
Learn to proofread from an experienced educator and subject matter expert...
5. 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...
6. How to be a Journalist - The Complete Guide to Journalism
All you need to know to become a freelance journalist or staffer and get paid for what you write...
7. Local Business Marketing With Local SEO & Social Media 2023
Local business marketing with local SEO, Google map search (Google My Business) local lead generation and social media...
8. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)
A fun, interactive workshop to help young writers unlock their creativity, improve their craft, and write better stories...
9. Trading Options for Weekly Income
Learn To Profit From Trading Weekly Options...
10. Conquering Writer's Block (Writing Mastery)
Proven strategies and tools to overcome writer's block, renew your motivation, and write novels with confidence...
11. Certification in Editing and Proofreading - Masterclass
A comprehensive course for business / creative writing, copywriting, email writing, content writing, blogging etc...
12. Photoshop Beginners Mastery: Zero to Hero in Photoshop
Learn Photoshop quickly and easily with essentials of Adobe Photoshop to produce beautiful images in Adobe Photoshop...
13. Business Presentation in PowerPoint
Master how to create a client-ready presentation - ideal for investment banking, consulting and business professionals...
14. Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer
Ex-Wall Street Journal Editor Teaches How To Write With Impeccable Style...
15. Weekly Options Trading - Credit Spreads & Iron Condors
My Blueprint for Trading Weekly Options...
16. Start A Profitable Freelance Writing Business In 5 Weeks
How To Earn Between £30 - £100/Hr As A Commercial Freelance Writer In Your Local Area, With Virtually ZERO Competition...
17. Adobe InDesign CC Complete Masterclass: Learn Adobe InDesign
The Complete Guide to Adobe In Design Creative Cloud: Design a Poster, Lookbook, Annual Report, and More!...
18. 7 Lessons on Writing for Becoming a Standout Writer
Tested Techniques for Fast Writing Skills Improvement...
19. Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar
Proofread Writing & Translation Like a Pro Be a Freelance Proofreader on Upwork Grasp Punctuation & Grammar...
20. Tech Writers Master Class
Learn professional writing skills that will help you advance in your career...
Top 10 most affordable universities for newspaper writers
The most affordable schools for newspaper writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for newspaper 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 newspaper 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. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
10. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for newspaper writers
The hardest universities for newspaper writers to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for newspaper 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 newspaper 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for newspaper writers
The easiest schools for newspaper writers to get into are Barry University, kean university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a newspaper 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 newspaper writers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
7. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average newspaper writer salary by education level
| Newspaper writer education level | Newspaper writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $56,197 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $54,375 |
Newspaper writer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for newspaper writer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025