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Documentation writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a documentation writer. Documentation writers usually study english, business, or writing. 63% of documentation writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 325 real documentation writer resumes to see exactly what documentation writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for documentation writers are the Vincennes University and the Vincennes University.
There are also many online documentation writer courses to help get the education required to be a documentation writer.
What education do you need to become a documentation writer?
What degree do you need to be a documentation writer?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 12%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a documentation writer?
Most common colleges for documentation writers
| Documentation writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Vincennes University | 6.67% |
| New York University | 6.67% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.67% |
| University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | 6.67% |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 6.67% |
Best majors for documentation writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 14.8% |
| 2 | Business | 14.2% |
| 3 | Writing | 8.0% |
| 4 | Education | 6.2% |
| 5 | Psychology | 4.9% |
Best colleges for documentation writers
The best colleges for documentation writers are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
A documentation 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 documentation 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 documentation writers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
4. University of Houston
Houston, TX ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$8,913
Enrollment
37,291
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$51,853
Enrollment
14,759
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$41,870
Enrollment
8,200
9. Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$38,178
Enrollment
6,008
10. Boston University
Boston, MA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
20 best online courses for documentation writers
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1. The New Trainer's Guide to Creating End User Documentation
Learn quick, easy and practical technical writing skills to write great end user software documentation - FAST...
2. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation
A framework for writing software documentation for an API as a technical writer, using Postman or Swagger UI...
3. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
4. The Art of API Documentation
API Documentation 3: Teaches technical writers how to write API overview material, tutorials, etc...
5. Learn API Technical Writing 2: REST for Writers
API Documentation 2: Teaches technical writers how to document REST. No programming experience required...
6. Learn API Technical Writing: JSON and XML for Writers
API Documentation 1: Teaches technical writers how to document structured data. No programming experience required...
7. Best Practices in Document Management
Develop your cost-effective and future-proof documentation strategy...
8. All Export Documentation & Procedures Any Origin
Unlock the Secrets of Successful Exporting with Comprehensive Documentation, Procedural Expertise, Incoterms, Contract...
9. User Research And Testing For UX Writing
How To Prepare And Test UX Writing Decisions With User Research...
10. User Story Masterclass: Your Agile Guide to User Stories
As a student, I want to enroll in this course, so that I can learn to write, split, and map compelling User Stories...
11. SharePoint 2013: End User
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills that are needed to start using and working with Share Point...
12. Professional Technical Writing: Advance Your Writing Skills
Create your first technical document by applying the principles and techniques of technical writing taught by Pro Writer...
13. Tech Writers Master Class
Learn professional writing skills that will help you advance in your career...
14. User Story Bootcamp: Be an Expert In Managing User Stories
A Practical Step-by-Step Guide To User Story Writing, Splitting, Mapping, Prioritizing & Delivering For Agile Teams...
15. Professional documents using Word 2013
Learn how to effectively use Microsoft Word 2013 to create professional business documents...
16. Technical Writing: How to Write Using DITAÂ XML
How to Become a Modern and Successful Technical Writer Using DITA XML...
17. 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...
18. Coding for Writers: Basic Programming
Learn to both code and write about code...
19. Business Requirements Document for Beginner Business Analyst
Recommended Course for the Beginner BA Who Speaks English as a Second Language...
20. User Experience (UX): The Ultimate Guide to Usability and UX
Get a job in UX and build your user research and UX design skills with this hands-on user experience training course...
Top 10 most affordable universities for documentation writers
The most affordable schools for documentation writers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and usf sarasota-manatee.
If the best universities for documentation 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 documentation 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. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
4. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA ⢠Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for documentation writers
The hardest universities for documentation writers to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for documentation 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 documentation 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Boston University
Boston, MA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO ⢠Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC ⢠Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
8. New York University
New York, NY ⢠Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX ⢠Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for documentation writers
The easiest schools for documentation writers to get into are Holy Names University, notre dame de namur university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a documentation 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 documentation writers.
1. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK ⢠Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME ⢠Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA ⢠Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Barry University
Miami, FL ⢠Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH ⢠Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ ⢠Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
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 documentation writer salary by education level
| Documentation writer education level | Documentation writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $72,139 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $72,487 |
Documentation writer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025