Post job

Producer director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a producer director. Producer directors usually study photography, communication, or journalism. 77% of producer directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 7,311 real producer director resumes to see exactly what producer director education sections show.

The most common colleges for producer directors are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online producer director courses to help get the education required to be a producer director.

What education do you need to become a producer director?

What degree do you need to be a producer director?

The most common degree for producer directors is bachelor's degree, with 77% of producer directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 9% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 77%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Master's, 9%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a producer director?

You should major in photography to become a producer director. 26% of producer directors major in photography. Other common majors for a producer director include communication and journalism.

Most common colleges for producer directors

Producer directors often get their degrees at New York University, Full Sail University, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for producer directors in the US based on their resumes.
Producer director common collegePercentages
New York University15.21%
Full Sail University9.52%
Temple University5.53%
University of Southern California5.53%
Syracuse University5.22%

Best majors for producer directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Photography25.8%
2Communication20.5%
3Journalism6.5%
4Digital Media6.4%
5Theatre4.9%

Best colleges for producer directors

The best colleges for producer directors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

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

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

20 best online courses for producer directors

Advertising disclosure

1. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube

udemy
4.6
(788)

Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...

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

udemy
4.3
(332)

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

3. The Complete Talking Head Video Production Masterclass

udemy
4.6
(276)

Video Production - Building Confidence on Camera for Video Marketing - Filmmaking - Videography - Cinematography...

4. Secrets to Successful Documentary Film Production

udemy
4.5
(610)

Go behind-the-scenes with 24-EXCLUSIVE, VIDEO-BASED lessons covering everything from the PLANNING, to the SHOOTING, and...

5. Video Production Masterclass: Beginner to Pro Video Creation

udemy
4.2
(599)

Create Stunning Videos as a Youtuber, Filmmaker, Vlogger, Journalist or Cinematographer. Learn Sound, Lighting & More!...

6. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery

udemy
4.2
(1,163)

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

7. Complete Electronic Music Production for EDM Music Producers

udemy
4.8
(894)

EDM: Learn professional electronic music production techniques from an expert electronic music producer - produce EDM!...

8. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial

udemy
4.6
(1,250)

Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...

9. Beginner's Course in Film Making and Video Production

udemy
4.3
(276)

Learn video production and story techniques to make your vision come to life.. Get financing, Get on IMDB fast and easy...

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

udemy
4.7
(3,421)

Learn how to edit videos using Final Cut Pro X with easy-to-follow Final Cut Pro tutorials From Beginner to Intermediate...

11. VPs and Directors of Product Management: Finding Excellence

udemy
4.4
(902)

Succeeding in an intense, stressful, invigorating job...

12. Songwriting in Logic Pro X for Electronic Music Production

udemy
4.5
(431)

Join Successful students in Songwriting, Composing, Arranging + Music Production for Electronic Producers in Logic Pro X...

13. PowerDirector 15 - Video Editing for PC Users

udemy
4.8
(581)

Learn how to edit professional videos on a Windows PC with this Cyberlink Power Director video tutorial course...

14. Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CC for Beginners

udemy
4.2
(1,298)

Learn how to start editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with these simple follow along tutorials...

15. Video Production Bootcamp: Videography, Cinematography+

udemy
4.6
(9,904)

Make better videos with the ultimate course on videography: video production, cinematography, editing & distribution...

16. Mastering Small Product & Jewelry Photography

udemy
4.3
(372)

Sell More With Better Photos...

17. Music Production I - Learn to be a Music Producer!

udemy
4.2
(1,693)

Learn how to become a recording/music production engineer with little to no knowledge! Record music like a pro!...

18. The Complete EDM Production Course - Produce, Mix & Master

udemy
4.4
(2,674)

Learn EDM Production, mixing, mastering, sound design, arrangement, plugins, techniques & more using any software or DAW...

19. The Complete Audio Producer 2021

udemy
4.5
(511)

Zero To Professional Production Taught By World Renowned Audio Engineer/Producer Clarian...

20. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today

udemy
5
(1,495)

Learn how to shoot beautiful video with your DSLR camera. This is the perfect video course for beginners and hobbyists...

Top 10 most affordable universities for producer directors

The most affordable schools for producer directors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for producer directors 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 producer directors.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

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. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

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 producer directors

The hardest universities for producer directors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for producer directors 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 producer directors 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

14%

SAT average

1,531

7. Hamilton College

Clinton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

21%

SAT average

1,446

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for producer directors

The easiest schools for producer directors to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a producer director 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 producer directors.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

9. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average producer director salary by education level

According to our data, producer directors with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $60,653 annually. Producer directors with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $54,863.
Producer director education levelProducer director salary
Master's Degree$60,653
Bachelor's Degree$54,863

Producer director education FAQs

Search for producer director jobs

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.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs