Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Visual effects editor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a visual effects editor. Visual effects editors usually study photography, communication, or graphic design. 80% of visual effects editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 247 real visual effects editor resumes to see exactly what visual effects editor education sections show.
The most common colleges for visual effects editors are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.
There are also many online visual effects editor courses to help get the education required to be a visual effects editor.
What education do you need to become a visual effects editor?
What degree do you need to be a visual effects editor?
- Bachelor's, 80%
- Associate, 8%
- Master's, 6%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a visual effects editor?
- Photography, 24%
- Communication, 16%
- Graphic Design, 8%
- Animation, 8%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for visual effects editors
| Visual effects editor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 10.26% |
| New York University | 7.69% |
| University of Utah | 7.69% |
| University of California, Berkeley | 7.69% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.13% |
Best majors for visual effects editors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 24.0% |
| 2 | Communication | 16.3% |
| 3 | Graphic Design | 7.8% |
| 4 | Animation | 7.8% |
| 5 | Fine Arts | 6.2% |
Best colleges for visual effects editors
The best colleges for visual effects editors are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
A visual effects editor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for visual effects editors. 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 visual effects editors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
10. American University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$48,459
Enrollment
7,485
20 best online courses for visual effects editors
Advertising disclosure
1. After Effects - Motion Graphics & Data Visualization
Using Adobe After Effects create beautiful VFX Visual Effects, data visualization & VFX Compositing...
2. After Effects Essentials: Complete VFX and Motion GFX Guide
Your complete guide to create amazing Visual Effects and Motion Graphics using Adobe After Effects CC 2017...
3. After Effects CC Masters: VFX, Motion Graphics, Animation+
Learn Beginner to Advanced Adobe After Effects CC: Motion Graphics, Kinetic Typography, Visual Effects VFX, Animation+...
4. Learn Basics Of Adobe After Effects CC for Beginners
Learn basics of After Effects, Compositing ,Visual Effects (VFX), Motion Graphics and Animation...
5. Video Editing: Premiere Pro & After Effects Dynamic Linking
Learn the Dynamic Link Video Editing techniques within the Adobe CC Suite for Premiere Pro CC and After Effects CC...
6. Complete Adobe After Effects Megacourse: Beginner to Expert
Learn how to create visual effects and motion graphics and animate like a pro with this step-by-step course!...
7. 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+...
8. VFX Compositing with Nuke: The Complete 2D Edition
A comprehensive guide to 2D compositing for live-action films in post-production visual effects using Nuke...
9. Visual Effects for Games in Unity - Beginner To Intermediate
By the end of this course you will have started your own portfolio as a Triple-A Visual Effects artist for Games...
10. The Complete Adobe After Effects Bootcamp: Basic to Advanced
Learn Adobe After Effects CC: Master Motion Graphics, VFX Visual Effects & VFX Compositing - 50+ Real World Project...
11. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Complete A Video Editing Project
We supply the footage and audio! Learn how to edit an engaging video using Adobe Premiere Pro CC from start to finish...
12. After Effects: The Complete Beginner Course (All Versions)
Learn How to Create Professional Motion Graphics & Animations. Add Exciting Visual Effects to Your Own Video Projects...
13. Mastering Visual Studio Code
Boost your productivity with Visual Studio Code, the best code editor of the moment!...
14. Introduction to Nuke VFX Compositing: The Essentials - NK101
A full Nuke visual effects training course for VFX Compositing in Nuke. Final project of a Junior Compositor shot!...
15. 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...
16. Adobe Premiere Pro CS6: The Complete Video Editing Course
Learn Adobe Premiere Pro with these easy-to-follow Premiere Pro video editing tutorials...
17. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Beginner Video Editing
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
18. Learn Adobe After Effects CC 2019 for Beginners
Dive in the world of Visual Effects in this exciting and themed hands-on course...
19. After Effects CC: Design Professional Video Transitions
Learn how to Design Professional Video Transitions in After Effects CC and How to use them in Premiere Pro Video Editing...
20. 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...
Top 10 most affordable universities for visual effects editors
The most affordable schools for visual effects editors are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for visual effects editors 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 visual effects editors.
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. 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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
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 visual effects editors
The hardest universities for visual effects editors to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for visual effects editors 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 visual effects editors 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for visual effects editors
The easiest schools for visual effects editors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a visual effects editor 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 visual effects editors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
8. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
10. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
Average visual effects editor salary by education level
| Visual effects editor education level | Visual effects editor salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,876 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $53,408 |
Visual effects editor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for visual effects editor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025