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Press writer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a press writer. Press writers usually study journalism, english, or communication. 73% of press writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 124 real press writer resumes to see exactly what press writer education sections show.

The most common colleges for press writers are the University of Notre Dame and the University of Notre Dame.

There are also many online press writer courses to help get the education required to be a press writer.

What education do you need to become a press writer?

What degree do you need to be a press writer?

The most common degree for press writers is bachelor's degree, with 73% of press writers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a press writer?

You should major in journalism to become a press writer. 18% of press writers major in journalism. Other common majors for a press writer include english and communication.

Most common colleges for press writers

Press writers often get their degrees at University of Notre Dame, University of South Carolina - Columbia, and University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus. Here are the most common colleges for press writers in the US based on their resumes.
Press writer common collegePercentages
University of Notre Dame10.34%
University of South Carolina - Columbia6.90%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus6.90%
Loyola Marymount University6.90%
Boston University6.90%

Best majors for press writers

RankMajorPercentages
1Journalism17.9%
2English15.8%
3Communication13.7%
4Fine Arts6.3%
5Psychology5.3%

Best colleges for press writers

The best colleges for press writers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

A press 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 press 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 press writers.

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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

20 best online courses for press writers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for press writers

The most affordable schools for press 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 press 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 press 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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for press writers

The hardest universities for press writers to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for press 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 press 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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for press writers

The easiest schools for press writers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and holy names university.

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

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

7. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

8. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

Average press writer salary by education level

According to our data, press writers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,884 annually. Press writers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $63,294.
Press writer education levelPress writer salary
Master's Degree$65,884
Bachelor's Degree$63,294

Press writer 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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