Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Video journalist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a video journalist. Video journalists usually study communication, journalism, or photography. 84% of video journalists hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 732 real video journalist resumes to see exactly what video journalist education sections show.
The most common colleges for video journalists are the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia.
There are also many online video journalist courses to help get the education required to be a video journalist.
What education do you need to become a video journalist?
What degree do you need to be a video journalist?
- Bachelor's, 84%
- Associate, 8%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a video journalist?
- Communication, 29%
- Journalism, 22%
- Photography, 11%
- Digital Media, 5%
- Other Majors, 33%
Most common colleges for video journalists
| Video journalist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Georgia | 7.92% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 6.93% |
| University of Florida | 5.94% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 5.94% |
| Howard University | 5.94% |
Best majors for video journalists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 28.5% |
| 2 | Journalism | 21.9% |
| 3 | Photography | 11.4% |
| 4 | Digital Media | 5.5% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 3.7% |
Best colleges for video journalists
The best colleges for video journalists are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A video journalist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for video journalists. 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 video journalists.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
20 best online courses for video journalists
Advertising disclosure
1. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Crash Course
In this Final Cut Pro X Video Editing Course you will go from beginner to pro in under 4 hours! Filmmaking & Video Prod...
2. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
3. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery
Learning Final Cut Pro X. A detailed course aimed at teaching users how to use FCP X on the Mavericks or Yosemite OS...
4. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Beginner Video Editing
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
5. Video Production Masterclass: Beginner to Pro Video Creation
Create Stunning Videos as a Youtuber, Filmmaker, Vlogger, Journalist or Cinematographer. Learn Sound, Lighting & More!...
6. VIDEO EDITING. Techniques loved by pro broadcast filmmakers
Creative video editing techniques used by professionals and taught by a veteran, international award-winning editor...
7. Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CC for Beginners
Learn how to start editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with these simple follow along tutorials...
8. Adobe Premiere Pro CS6: The Complete Video Editing Course
Learn Adobe Premiere Pro with these easy-to-follow Premiere Pro video editing tutorials...
9. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial
Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...
10. The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate
Learn how to edit videos using Final Cut Pro X with easy-to-follow Final Cut Pro tutorials From Beginner to Intermediate...
11. Video Editing Masterclass: Edit Your Videos Like a Pro!
The Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide to Edit Incredible Looking & Sounding Videos with Any Equipment or Software...
12. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere
Learn Beginner-Advanced Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing, Audio Editing, Color Grading, Motion Graphics, Green Screen+...
13. Video Editing in Final Cut Pro: Learn the Basics in 1 Hour
Learn editing with Final Cut Pro in the shortest time. Perfect for the beginning editor or new content creator...
14. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Complete Video Editing Masterclass
Start Editing Your Video Professionally with The POWERFULÂ Adobe Premiere Pro CC Software...
15. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro
Learn Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro with Color Correction & Color Grading and Professional Video Editing practices...
16. Video Editing on iPhone & Android! Edit Smartphone Videos!
Mobile Filmmaking for beginners! Smartphone video editing course for Android & i Phone. Edit mobile video like a Pro!...
17. Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass
Combo Course of Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Adobe Photoshop CC for Learning Video Editing and Graphics Design...
18. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Video Editing for Beginners
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
19. Learn to Edit Video in 30 Days with Adobe Premiere Pro 2023
Learn to Edit Quickly, Everything You Need with the New Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 Version, Start to Finish Full Course...
20. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Essential Video Editing Zero To Hero
Video Editing Course For Beginners and Youtube, Facebook, Instagram Video Editing Masterclass Basic To Advanced...
Top 10 most affordable universities for video journalists
The most affordable schools for video journalists are Baruch 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 video journalists 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 video journalists.
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. 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. 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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for video journalists
The hardest universities for video journalists to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for video journalists 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 video journalists 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for video journalists
The easiest schools for video journalists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a video journalist 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 video journalists.
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. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
Average video journalist salary by education level
| Video journalist education level | Video journalist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $74,335 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $70,772 |
Video journalist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for video journalist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025