Post job

Radio disc jockey education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a radio disc jockey. Radio disc jockeys usually study communication, journalism, or business. 74% of radio disc jockeys hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,332 real radio disc jockey resumes to see exactly what radio disc jockey education sections show.

The most common colleges for radio disc jockeys are the Boston University and the Boston University.

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

What education do you need to become a radio disc jockey?

What degree do you need to be a radio disc jockey?

The most common degree for radio disc jockeys is bachelor's degree, with 74% of radio disc jockeys earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Associate, 12%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Master's, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a radio disc jockey?

You should major in communication to become a radio disc jockey. 32% of radio disc jockeys major in communication. Other common majors for a radio disc jockey include journalism and business.

Most common colleges for radio disc jockeys

Radio disc jockeys often get their degrees at Boston University, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Texas A&M; University. Here are the most common colleges for radio disc jockeys in the US based on their resumes.
Radio disc jockey common collegePercentages
Boston University11.83%
University of California, Santa Barbara6.51%
Texas A&M University5.92%
University of California - Davis5.92%
Truman State University5.33%

Best majors for radio disc jockeys

RankMajorPercentages
1Communication32.0%
2Journalism10.7%
3Business6.3%
4English5.4%
5Photography4.5%

Best colleges for radio disc jockeys

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

A radio disc jockey 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 disc jockeys. 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 disc jockeys.

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 disc jockeys

Advertising disclosure

1. Electronic Music Production with Ableton Live

udemy
4.9
(960)

The Complete Course - Create Full Tracks in No Time!...

2. Ableton Live 11 Masterclass: Complete Music Production Guide

udemy
4.7
(272)

Complete Guide To: Music Production, Music Mixing, Electronic Music, Sound Design, Audio Engineering / Production...

3. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

udemy
4.7
(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

4. Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live

udemy
4.7
(5,085)

Learn Music Production, Recording, Editing, Music Mixing, Songwriting + Music Theory in this Ableton Live 11 Course...

5. Music Producer Masterclass: Make Electronic Music

udemy
4.4
(1,683)

Compose Music At A Professional level. Learn FL studio From Beginner To Expert Level. Become A Music Producer...

6. Music Production in Ableton Live 10 - The Complete Course!

udemy
4.9
(5,331)

Learn Music Production in Ableton Live 10 Today and Understand how to Create, Record and Edit Your Own Music + Live Sets...

7. Learn how to DJ From The Wu-Tang Clan

udemy
4.8
(461)

Get Certified, Get Recognized...

8. Music Production in Ableton Live 9 - The Complete Course!

udemy
4
(1,094)

Join Successful students in this Music Production course for Creating, Recording + Performing Music with Ableton Live 9...

9. How to make Epic Cinematic Music

udemy
4.3
(264)

Epic Cinematic Music Composition...

10. Create Awesome Music with Cubase - Using Composition Tools

udemy
4.5
(276)

If you can hear it in your head, you can produce it (even if you don't know music theory and can't play an instrument!)...

11. FL Studio Beginner Music Production Course [NEW]

udemy
4.5
(478)

FL Studio Beginner Course: Learn How To Make Beats From Start To Finish With Ease + Kits (Total Value: Over 297 Dollar)!...

12. The Sound Kitchen - Great sound made easy

udemy
4.7
(792)

Sound Engineering course for musicians, volunteers, professionals. For both beginners and people with some knowledge...

13. How to Make a Mixtape - Make a Seamless DJ Mix in Ableton

udemy
4.8
(661)

Learn the Best DJ Software - Make Your Own DJ Mixes in Ableton - My mixes received over 50k plays on a weekly basis...

14. 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!...

15. Electronic Music Primer

udemy
4.7
(308)

Get started making electronic music today!...

16. Xfer Serum Synthesizer - Sound Design + Music Production

udemy
4.6
(436)

Learn about Creating your own Sounds, Sound Design, Synthesis + Music Production in Serum Synthesizer by Xfer...

17. Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X - The Complete Guide

udemy
4.6
(12,630)

Become a master at using Logic Pro X Understand music production Learn to record, edit & mix audio to a pro standard...

18. Ableton Live 11 in a Day - Learn Music Production in Ableton

udemy
4.7
(530)

Get A Grip On Ableton Live 11 In Just A Day - Learn Music Production In Ableton Live Quickly With This Complete Course...

19. SDR for Ethical Hackers and Security Researchers

udemy
4.3
(574)

Software Defined Radio Master Series: Learn How SDR can be used in Finding Vulnerabilities in Wireless Devices...

20. Masterclass-EQ Course

udemy
4.8
(395)

Masterclass-EQ 2-Disc DVD Set...

Top 10 most affordable universities for radio disc jockeys

The most affordable schools for radio disc jockeys 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 disc jockeys 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 disc jockeys.

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 disc jockeys

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

Some great schools for radio disc jockeys 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 disc jockeys 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 disc jockeys

The easiest schools for radio disc jockeys 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 disc jockey 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 disc jockeys.

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 disc jockey salary by education level

Radio disc jockeys with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $53,434 annually. With a Associate degree, radio disc jockeys earn a median annual income of $41,927 compared to $37,862 for radio disc jockeys with an High School Diploma degree.
Radio disc jockey education levelRadio disc jockey salary
High School Diploma or Less$37,862
Bachelor's Degree$53,434
Some College/ Associate Degree$41,927

Radio disc jockey education FAQs

Search for radio disc jockey 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