Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Medical writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a medical writer. Medical writers usually study biology, english, or pharmacy. 57% of medical writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,252 real medical writer resumes to see exactly what medical writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for medical writers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online medical writer courses to help get the education required to be a medical writer.
There are certain medical writer certifications that you should consider. These medical writer certifications include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Regulatory Affairs Certification - US (RAC).
What education do you need to become a medical writer?
What degree do you need to be a medical writer?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Master's, 18%
- Doctorate, 18%
- Associate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a medical writer?
Most common colleges for medical writers
| Medical writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 8.02% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 8.02% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7.41% |
| University of the Sciences | 6.79% |
| Temple University | 6.79% |
Best majors for medical writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 20.4% |
| 2 | English | 9.5% |
| 3 | Pharmacy | 9.3% |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 6.0% |
| 5 | Nursing | 5.7% |
Best colleges for medical writers
The best colleges for medical writers are Northeastern University, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University.
A medical 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 medical 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 medical writers.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
3. University of Houston
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$8,913
Enrollment
37,291
4. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
20 best online courses for medical writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Medical Terminology
This specialization is intended for anybody that is interested in developing skills in medical language or preparing for further studies in the medical field. Learners will be able to identify common prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations so they can recognize most medical terms used by medical professionals. Learners will also have an understanding of the structure of an electronic health record and extract vital information from it. Moreover, learners will gain basic knowledge of the...
2. Medical Writing for Healthcare Professionals
Launch your scientific and medical writing career today. Learn from an experienced medical writer!...
3. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...
4. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
5. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
6. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
7. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
8. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
9. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research
Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...
10. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
11. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course
Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...
12. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
13. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
14. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals
The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...
15. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
16. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
17. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
18. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
19. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
20. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
Top 10 most affordable universities for medical writers
The most affordable schools for medical writers are University of Florida, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for medical 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 medical writers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. 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
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. York College of the City University of New York
Jamaica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,158
Cost of attendance
14,204
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for medical writers
The hardest universities for medical writers to get into are Northeastern University, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for medical 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 medical 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
8. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for medical writers
The easiest schools for medical writers to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a medical 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 medical writers.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
5. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
9. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
10. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
Average medical writer salary by education level
| Medical writer education level | Medical writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $98,712 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $99,407 |
Medical writer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for medical writer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025