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Print journalist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a print journalist. Print journalists usually study journalism, photography, or political science. 73% of print journalists hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 72 real print journalist resumes to see exactly what print journalist education sections show.
The most common colleges for print journalists are the University of the Sacred Heart and the University of the Sacred Heart.
There are also many online print journalist courses to help get the education required to be a print journalist.
What education do you need to become a print journalist?
What degree do you need to be a print journalist?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- High School Diploma, 10%
- Master's, 7%
- Associate, 7%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a print journalist?
- Journalism, 38%
- Photography, 6%
- Communication, 6%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for print journalists
| Print journalist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of the Sacred Heart | 8.33% |
| Saint Cloud State University | 8.33% |
| Columbia College Chicago | 8.33% |
| Cleveland State University | 8.33% |
| Eastern Michigan University | 4.17% |
Best majors for print journalists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 38.5% |
| 2 | Photography | 5.8% |
| 3 | Political Science | 5.8% |
| 4 | Communication | 5.8% |
| 5 | Liberal Arts | 5.8% |
Best colleges for print journalists
The best colleges for print journalists are Northwestern University, University of Tulsa, and Boston University.
A print journalist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for print journalists. 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 print journalists.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
20 best online courses for print journalists
Advertising disclosure
1. Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health. Learners will develop the skills to: analyze and tailor a communication effort for different audiences, develop clear messages,...
2. Systems Thinking In Public Health
This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...
3. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
4. Modern PR - How To Get Press Coverage For Your Business
A proven public relations / PR system to get press coverage for your company or product, from a journalist's perspective...
5. Introduction to Public Relations and the Media
This specialization is ideal for learners interested in how to practice public relations and branding communication. You will learn how to use different tools to manage your company’s reputation. You will learn about different forms of media, how to work with journalists, and how to plan strategic communication to enhance your company. And you will emerge from this specialization with several portfolio pieces, including a media contact list, press release, pitch, and crisis communication plan...
6. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health
The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...
7. 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...
8. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)
Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...
9. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice
Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...
10. Qualitative Research Design and Methods for Public Health
This specialization will enable public health professionals and researchers to design effective qualitative studies addressing a range of public health issues, select and implement appropriate qualitative methods to meet their study's objectives, and generate and analyze qualitative data...
11. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems
Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...
12. Dan Rather on Journalism & Finding the Truth in the News
Learn to ask the right questions & tell captivating stories. Practical advice for journalists & avid news consumers...
13. Global Health Policy
In this course, learners will become familiar with principles and theories of global health problems, and major challenges and controversies in improving global population health as well as practical applications of quantitative methods to analyze and interpret issues and challenges for policy. Topics will include health and foreign policy, health governance, acute disease surveillance, non-communicable diseases, burden of disease, universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, health...
14. Being a researcher (in Information Science and Technology)
The course provides a broad view of how to become and progress as a researcher. It spans over a wide range of topics, from the historical development of scientific thought to research methodology, to the pragmatics of publication, research funding, evaluation, and promotion in a researcher’s career. It also stresses the ethical aspects of research. Although the course speaks about scientific research in general, it especially focuses on the field on Information and Communication Science and...
15. Public Speaking Skills: Give a Great Informational Speech
Public Speaking - You can confidently present information in a way that is understandable and memorable...
16. How to Write an Effective Research Paper
Learn how to write award-winning research papers with easy steps. Includes examples and a research paper template...
17. 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...
18. How To Start A T Shirt Transfer Printing Business From Home
Learn how to run your own t shirt transfer printing business working from home...
19. User Story Bootcamp: Be an Expert In Managing User Stories
A Practical Step-by-Step Guide To User Story Writing, Splitting, Mapping, Prioritizing & Delivering For Agile Teams...
20. How To Write User Stories That Deliver Real Business Value
Find, Write, Prioritize, Rightsize, and Flesh Out User Stories with Acceptance Criteria and Given-When-Then Scenarios...
Top 10 most affordable universities for print journalists
The most affordable schools for print journalists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for print journalists 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 print journalists.
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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Cost of attendance
24,718
9. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Cost of attendance
24,514
10. Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,645
Cost of attendance
20,098
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for print journalists
The hardest universities for print journalists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Tulsa, and Boston University.
Some great schools for print journalists 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 print journalists 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 Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
21%
SAT average
1,444
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for print journalists
The easiest schools for print journalists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, university of the incarnate word, and our lady of the lake university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a print journalist 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 print journalists.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
4. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
5. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
6. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
7. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
1,020
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
10. Keene State College
Keene, NH • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,053
Average print journalist salary by education level
| Print journalist education level | Print journalist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $104,353 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $99,084 |
Print journalist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025