Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Writer/producer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a writer/producer. Writer/producers usually study communication, photography, or journalism. 81% of writer/producers hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 5,627 real writer/producer resumes to see exactly what writer/producer education sections show.
The most common colleges for writer/producers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online writer/producer courses to help get the education required to be a writer/producer.
What education do you need to become a writer/producer?
What degree do you need to be a writer/producer?
- Bachelor's, 81%
- Master's, 9%
- Associate, 6%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a writer/producer?
- Communication, 21%
- Photography, 17%
- Journalism, 15%
- English, 8%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for writer/producers
| Writer/producer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 15.98% |
| Emerson College | 6.75% |
| University of Southern California | 6.75% |
| Syracuse University | 5.27% |
| Temple University | 5.27% |
Best majors for writer/producers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication | 21.5% |
| 2 | Photography | 17.2% |
| 3 | Journalism | 14.8% |
| 4 | English | 7.8% |
| 5 | Theatre | 4.8% |
Best colleges for writer/producers
The best colleges for writer/producers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A writer/producer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for writer/producers. 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 writer/producers.
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 writer/producers
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. Master Web Design in Photoshop: Complete UI/UX Masterclass
Learn UI/UX and how to create stunning website Everything you need to know about web design in 2023 All in Photoshop...
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. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial
Learn how to edit video in Final Cut Pro X...
5. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
6. 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...
7. 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...
8. Digital Design Masterclass For Graphic Designers
Icon Set Design, E-book cover, Digitizing Sketches, Social Media Design, Wordpress Web Design, Adobe Xd, GIFS and more!...
9. Complete Electronic Music Production for EDM Music Producers
EDM: Learn professional electronic music production techniques from an expert electronic music producer - produce EDM!...
10. Complete Guide to Colour Grading in Final Cut Pro X
Beginner to pro grading course for FCPX Discount Code Available...
11. 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...
12. Video Production Masterclass: Beginner to Pro Video Creation
Create Stunning Videos as a Youtuber, Filmmaker, Vlogger, Journalist or Cinematographer. Learn Sound, Lighting & More!...
13. Graphic Design Mastery: The FULL Branding & Design Process
Follows the FULL Graphic Design Process for A Company: Logo, Ad, Social Media, T-Shirt, Package, Website Design & More!...
14. The Complete Talking Head Video Production Masterclass
Video Production - Building Confidence on Camera for Video Marketing - Filmmaking - Videography - Cinematography...
15. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
16. 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...
17. Photoshop CC for Beginners: Adobe Photoshop Course
This Adobe Photoshop CC course will teach you the basics of Photoshop for web design, graphic design, photography & more...
18. The Complete Audio Producer 2021
Zero To Professional Production Taught By World Renowned Audio Engineer/Producer Clarian...
19. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Beginner Video Editing
Learn video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC with zero experience...
20. Beginner's Course in Film Making and Video Production
Learn video production and story techniques to make your vision come to life.. Get financing, Get on IMDB fast and easy...
Top 10 most affordable universities for writer/producers
The most affordable schools for writer/producers 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 writer/producers 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 writer/producers.
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 writer/producers
The hardest universities for writer/producers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for writer/producers 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 writer/producers 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 writer/producers
The easiest schools for writer/producers 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 writer/producer 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 writer/producers.
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 writer/producer salary by education level
| Writer/producer education level | Writer/producer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $57,849 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $57,738 |
| Doctorate Degree | $60,796 |
Writer/producer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for writer/producer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025