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Radio broadcaster education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a radio broadcaster. Radio broadcasters usually study communication, journalism, or business. 67% of radio broadcasters hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 585 real radio broadcaster resumes to see exactly what radio broadcaster education sections show.

The most common colleges for radio broadcasters are the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa.

There are also many online radio broadcaster courses to help get the education required to be a radio broadcaster.

What education do you need to become a radio broadcaster?

What degree do you need to be a radio broadcaster?

The most common degree for radio broadcasters is bachelor's degree, with 67% of radio broadcasters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a radio broadcaster?

You should major in communication to become a radio broadcaster. 28% of radio broadcasters major in communication. Other common majors for a radio broadcaster include journalism and business.

Most common colleges for radio broadcasters

Radio broadcasters often get their degrees at University of Iowa, Boston University, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for radio broadcasters in the US based on their resumes.
Radio broadcaster common collegePercentages
University of Iowa8.16%
Boston University8.16%
Pennsylvania State University8.16%
University of South Carolina - Columbia6.12%
University of Phoenix6.12%

Best majors for radio broadcasters

Best colleges for radio broadcasters

The best colleges for radio broadcasters are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.

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

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Enrollment

58,392

20 best online courses for radio broadcasters

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20. Event Management for Beginners

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Top 10 most affordable universities for radio broadcasters

The most affordable schools for radio broadcasters are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for radio broadcasters 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 radio broadcasters.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

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. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for radio broadcasters

The hardest universities for radio broadcasters to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Boston University.

Some great schools for radio broadcasters 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 radio broadcasters 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

6. University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,365

7. Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA • Private

Admissions rate

36%

SAT average

1,330

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for radio broadcasters

The easiest schools for radio broadcasters to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a radio broadcaster 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 radio broadcasters.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. Rochester University

Rochester Hills, MI • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,002

6. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

9. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

10. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

Average radio broadcaster salary by education level

Radio broadcasters with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $57,783 annually. With a Associate degree, radio broadcasters earn a median annual income of $39,194 compared to $33,292 for radio broadcasters with an High School Diploma degree.
Radio broadcaster education levelRadio broadcaster salary
High School Diploma or Less$33,292
Bachelor's Degree$57,783
Some College/ Associate Degree$39,194

Radio broadcaster 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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