Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Radio program director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a radio program director. Radio program directors usually study communication, business, or journalism. 61% of radio program directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 192 real radio program director resumes to see exactly what radio program director education sections show.
The most common colleges for radio program directors are the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati.
There are also many online radio program director courses to help get the education required to be a radio program director.
What education do you need to become a radio program director?
What degree do you need to be a radio program director?
- Bachelor's, 61%
- Associate, 19%
- Master's, 10%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a radio program director?
- Communication, 26%
- Business, 9%
- Journalism, 8%
- Public Relations, 7%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for radio program directors
| Radio program director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati | 6.90% |
| Central Michigan University | 6.90% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 6.90% |
| Illinois State University | 6.90% |
| Cornerstone University | 6.90% |
Best majors for radio program directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 26.2% |
| 2 | Business | 8.7% |
| 3 | Journalism | 7.8% |
| 4 | Public Relations | 6.8% |
| 5 | English | 5.8% |
Best colleges for radio program directors
The best colleges for radio program directors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and New York University.
A radio program 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 radio program 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 radio program directors.
1. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. SUNY College at Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,369
Enrollment
5,229
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
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 radio program directors
Advertising disclosure
1. Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health
We all have to breathe to live. But the air we breathe is polluted both outdoors and indoors. Each year, this pollution costs 7 million lives across the globe – and a lot of suffering. 1 in 8 deaths is due to air pollution. This course will provide you with an introduction to the most recent research in the field of health effects of air pollution as well as a broader understanding of sources and spread of air pollution and what we should do about it. What is air pollution? What are the...
2. Personnel & Third-Party Security
In this course, you will learn all about the process of implementing effective education, training, and awareness programs. You will also study the role personnel security plays in protecting an organization’s assets, intellectual property, and physical assets. You will also be introduced to the steps required for effective Vendor Risk Management (VRM), including: due diligence, contracting, monitoring & accessing, and termination. Throughout the course, you will engage with current case...
3. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management
Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...
4. Air Insulated Electrical Substation Design
This course will give you a great appreciation of Air Insulated Substations and how all of the equipments fit together...
5. Refrigeration & Air conditioning - Design and calculation
Refrigeration and HVAC fundamentals, design and calculation for commercial and industrial application...
6. HVAC Psychrometry, Air Handling System and Duct Selection
Build your knowledge systematically, from building cooling load estimation, to sizing and selection of AHU and ductings...
7. How to Make a Mixtape - Make a Seamless DJ Mix in Ableton
Learn the Best DJ Software - Make Your Own DJ Mixes in Ableton - My mixes received over 50k plays on a weekly basis...
8. Windows Service Programming, Debugging, Installing in C#.Net
Windows Service Tutorial: How to Create Windows Services in C# .Net/Visual Studio, Windows Service debugging techniques...
9. Python Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming
Python Networking Programming is simple for beginners, powerful for the pros. Use it to create tools, sockets and more...
10. RF Basic Concepts & Components Radio Frequency- Entry Level
RAHRF101 is a quick start to the basic RF topic and the prerequisite for Rahsoft RF Certificate...
11. HVAC Ductwork Quantity Take off for Quantity Surveyors
HVAC, Duct, Take off, Estimation, Quantity Surveying, Length, Area, Weight, SMACNA, POMI, AUTOCAD, Excel, Template, MEP...
12. C Programming Bootcamp - The Complete C Language Course
C Programming 2023: Master the Fundamentals of C Programming Language. Join the Comprehensive C Bootcamp Masterclass!...
13. C Programming On Windows For Beginners
Master C Programming On Windows Taught By A Professional Designed For Beginners...
14. Object Oriented Programming - Timeless Principles
Object Oriented Programming, master it!...
15. Learn how to DJ From The Wu-Tang Clan
Get Certified, Get Recognized...
16. Azure LOG ANALYTICS Inside-Out
Learn Azure Monitor Logs a.k.a. Log Analytics / OMS. Most comprehensive, created in Jan 2020 and covers latest updates...
17. AWS Technical Essentials 2023 - Hands-On Training Program
Develop your AWS skills with our hands-on training program featuring labs, exercises and a real-world project assignment...
18. C Programming Language - The Best C Language Beginner Course
Achieve confidence in building C programming logic through a hands-on oriented course on C programming language...
19. Comprehensive Python Programming Course with Hands-on Coding
Start from scratch and enter the world of Python programming, Analytics & Data Science with this in-depth Python course...
20. Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live
Learn Music Production, Recording, Editing, Music Mixing, Songwriting + Music Theory in this Ableton Live 11 Course...
Top 10 most affordable universities for radio program directors
The most affordable schools for radio program directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for radio program 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 radio program directors.
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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
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 - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for radio program directors
The hardest universities for radio program directors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and New York University.
Some great schools for radio program 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 radio program 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for radio program directors
The easiest schools for radio program directors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur 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 program 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 radio program directors.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
Average radio program director salary by education level
| Radio program director education level | Radio program director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $78,210 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $69,781 |
Radio program director education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for radio program director jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025