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Script writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a script writer. Script writers usually study communication, english, or photography. 73% of script writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 719 real script writer resumes to see exactly what script writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for script writers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online script writer courses to help get the education required to be a script writer.
What education do you need to become a script writer?
What degree do you need to be a script writer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 11%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a script writer?
- Communication, 16%
- English, 16%
- Photography, 12%
- Journalism, 9%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for script writers
| Script writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 10.39% |
| Full Sail University | 6.49% |
| University of Texas at Austin | 6.49% |
| University of Southern California | 6.49% |
| Emerson College | 5.19% |
Best majors for script writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 16.2% |
| 2 | English | 15.6% |
| 3 | Photography | 11.7% |
| 4 | Journalism | 9.5% |
| 5 | Business | 7.8% |
Best colleges for script writers
The best colleges for script writers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Harvard University.
A script writer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for script writers. 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 script writers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. University of Houston
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$8,913
Enrollment
37,291
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
20 best online courses for script writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Teaching Reluctant Writers
All educators will encounter students who struggle with writing. This course first focuses on the reasons student writers may be reluctant and then provides learners with a variety of strategies and practices to help reluctant writers develop a greater comfort and confidence with writing. Learners will examine classroom relationships, mentoring, scaffolding, conferencing, low-risk writing and mini-lessons, all tools and techniques that can be brought right into the classroom to help struggling...
2. Create a Syllabus using Libre Writer
In this project, you will learn how to create a visually appealing course syllabus in Libre Writer. The key components of a course syllabus will be discussed. While adding these components to your document, you will use various features in Writer. You will apply styles, insert a bulleted list and a table to organize information, insert an image, and modify a table and image. Included Universal design formatting tips will describe options to help make your document accessible to all learners...
3. Comic Book and Graphic Novel Scriptwriting
Learn how to write comics from a San Diego comic-con Eisner award-winning writer...
4. Productivity Hacks for Writers (Writing Mastery)
Simple strategies and proven techniques to be more productive and get the most out of every writing day...
5. Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice
The Co-design for All course is a free online programme on how to put together a case study proposal using a co-design approach. It is aimed at anyone who is interested in learning about co-design methods and how to apply them in any real life scenario. By the end of the course, you will have learned how to put together a case study proposal using co-design. This will be achieved by learning how to adapt and apply these methods to your chosen real life scenario and by producing materials...
6. How To Write A Movie Script: Movie Script Writing Basics
How To Write A Script For A Movie : Movie Script Writing Basics : Writing A Screenplay : How To Write A Movie Script...
7. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)
A fun, interactive workshop to help young writers unlock their creativity, improve their craft, and write better stories...
8. SAP CO - Product Costing S4HANA
End-to-End concepts and configurations of SAP S4HANA CO - Product Costing...
9. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
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10. Conquering Writer's Block (Writing Mastery)
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11. Screenwriting Masterclass: Script Writing & Screenplays
Master screenwriting, scriptwriting, screenplay writing, filmmaking Turn your idea into a great screenplay or script...
12. Become a Freelance Content Writer - Get Paid to Write Online
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a freelance writer - Work from home!...
13. Learn API Technical Writing 2: REST for Writers
API Documentation 2: Teaches technical writers how to document REST. No programming experience required...
14. Git and GitHub for Writers
Not a software developer? Learn how to use Git and Git Hub version control in a course specifically designed for writers...
15. Learn API Technical Writing: JSON and XML for Writers
API Documentation 1: Teaches technical writers how to document structured data. No programming experience required...
16. Helping Writers to Write and Keep Writing
This limiting factor with most writers is their mind. This course will help get your state of mind into Success Mode...
17. Learn Digital Color with Photoshop
Learn coloring from a professional colorist!...
18. Google Apps Script Complete Course New IDE 100+ Examples
Google Apps Script New Version Create custom functions within G Suite Docs Sheets GMail Drive Calendar and more...
19. Insightful Customer Interviews for Product Managers
Direct conversations with real customers to gain insight, test product concepts, and drive product success...
20. How To MAKE Comics - The Essential Guide
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Top 10 most affordable universities for script writers
The most affordable schools for script writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for script writers 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 script writers.
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 - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
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. 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
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for script writers
The hardest universities for script writers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for script writers 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 script writers 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for script writers
The easiest schools for script writers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a script writer 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 script writers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
9. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average script writer salary by education level
| Script writer education level | Script writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,694 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $69,334 |
Script writer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025