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Photographer, editor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a photographer, editor. Photographers, editor usually study photography, graphic design, or communication. 68% of photographers, editor hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 4,427 real photographer, editor resumes to see exactly what photographer, editor education sections show.

The most common colleges for photographers, editor are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.

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

There are certain photographer, editor certifications that you should consider. These photographer, editor certifications include Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and Apple Certified Pro- Final Cut Pro X.

What education do you need to become a photographer, editor?

What degree do you need to be a photographer, editor?

The most common degree for photographers, editor is bachelor's degree, with 68% of photographers, editor earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 68%
  • Associate, 18%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a photographer, editor?

You should major in photography to become a photographer, editor. 22% of photographers, editor major in photography. Other common majors for a photographer, editor include graphic design and communication.

Most common colleges for photographers, editor

Photographers, editor often get their degrees at Full Sail University, Ohio University, and Savannah College of Art and Design. Here are the most common colleges for photographers, editor in the US based on their resumes.
Photographer, editor common collegePercentages
Full Sail University10.20%
Ohio University6.80%
Savannah College of Art and Design6.46%
University of North Texas5.78%
Columbia College Chicago5.78%

Best majors for photographers, editor

RankMajorPercentages
1Photography22.3%
2Graphic Design15.8%
3Communication13.9%
4Journalism8.4%
5Fine Arts6.7%

Best colleges for photographers, editor

The best colleges for photographers, editor are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A photographer, 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 photographers, editor. 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 photographers, editor.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

9. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

10. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

20 best online courses for photographers, editor

Advertising disclosure

1. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras

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Learn editing with Final Cut Pro in the shortest time. Perfect for the beginning editor or new content creator...

3. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery

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Learning Final Cut Pro X. A detailed course aimed at teaching users how to use FCP X on the Mavericks or Yosemite OS...

4. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Crash Course

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In this Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Course you will go from beginner to pro in under 4 hours! Filmmaking & Video Prod...

5. Long Exposure Photography: Shoot Your Own Stunning Photos

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4.4
(1,460)

Quick start long exposure course. You can capture beautiful photographs with your DSLR, mirrorless and i Phone cameras...

6. Adobe Photoshop CC For Photographers

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4.5
(268)

An essential Photoshop course for all photographers. Learn how to edit and manipulate your images with Photoshop CC...

7. Turn Photographs Into Digital Paintings Using Photoshop

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Step ahead of the competition by offering unique portrait art, paint in Photoshop from a photograph...

8. Photography - The Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera user course

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Master your Nikon D3400 DSLR and shoot great pictures and videos...

9. Portrait Photography for Beginners

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10. Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

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14. Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass

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15. Nikon Camera Photography: Getting Started with Your Nikon

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Improve your photography by learning how to confidently use your Nikon DSLR camera - perfect for beginner photographers!...

16. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate

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17. Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography

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Improve your photography by learning how to confidently use your Canon DSLR camera - perfect for beginner photographers!...

18. Master Digital Photography for DSLR Photography Beginners

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DSLR Photography course for beginners. Perfect for all photography levels: Beginner - Advanced Photography Lighting...

19. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

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Learn Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro with Color Correction & Color Grading and Professional Video Editing practices...

20. Portrait Photography Masterclass: Headshot Photography Class

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Your complete guide to pro headshots with simple gear. You'll discover how to use your gear, edit like a pro, and more...

Top 10 most affordable universities for photographers, editor

The most affordable schools for photographers, editor are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for photographers, editor 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 photographers, editor.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

7. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

8. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for photographers, editor

The hardest universities for photographers, editor to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for photographers, editor 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 photographers, editor 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for photographers, editor

The easiest schools for photographers, editor to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and cardinal stritch university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a photographer, 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 photographers, editor.

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. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

8. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

9. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average photographer, editor salary by education level

Photographers, editor with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $54,139 annually. With a Associate degree, photographers, editor earn a median annual income of $51,075 compared to $49,398 for photographers, editor with an High School Diploma degree.
Photographer, editor education levelPhotographer, editor salary
High School Diploma or Less$49,398
Bachelor's Degree$54,139
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,075

Photographer, 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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