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Software writer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a software writer. Software writers usually study computer science, english, or business. 75% of software writers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 47 real software writer resumes to see exactly what software writer education sections show.
The most common colleges for software writers are the Boston University and the Boston University.
There are also many online software writer courses to help get the education required to be a software writer.
What education do you need to become a software writer?
What degree do you need to be a software writer?
- Bachelor's, 75%
- Associate, 13%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Master's, 4%
What should I major in to become a software writer?
- Computer Science, 26%
- English, 11%
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for software writers
| Software writer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Boston University | 9.09% |
| Troy University | 9.09% |
| University of Kentucky | 4.55% |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 4.55% |
| Pomona College | 4.55% |
Best majors for software writers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 25.9% |
| 2 | English | 11.1% |
| 3 | Business | 7.4% |
| 4 | International Business | 3.7% |
| 5 | Psychology | 3.7% |
Best colleges for software writers
The best colleges for software writers are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A software 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 software 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 software writers.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
5. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for software writers
Advertising disclosure
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Data Science Immersive (Full-time)
Harness the power of data science to solve the world’s most challenging problems by developing your skills in predictive modeling, pattern recognition, data visualization, wrangling massive data sets, forecasting trends, and informing strategy across diverse industries like public policy, robotics, and FinTech...
3. Programming for Data Science with R
Prepare for a data science career by learning the fundamental data programming tools: R, SQL, command line, and git...
4. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
5. SkillUp EdTech Office Productivity Software
Designed for learners of all experience levels, this program equips you with the essential skills needed to use the software tools utilized on a daily basis in office environments. Throughout the program, consisting of a series of mini-courses, you will delve into the different categories of office productivity software, discovering the popular applications within each category. To begin, you will gain a solid foundation in navigating the Windows desktop, managing files and folders, and...
6. Office Productivity Software and Windows Fundamentals
As the most used operating system in the world, Windows skills are crucial in today’s workplace. Knowledge of Windows and office productivity software is highly valued and makes you a desirable job candidate. In this mini-course, you will learn about fundamental Windows functions as well as the basics of office productivity software. You will go over file and folder management, app installation, the Control Panel, useful Windows apps, screenshots, and Windows tips and shortcuts. Throughout this...
7. 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...
8. The Art of API Documentation
API Documentation 3: Teaches technical writers how to write API overview material, tutorials, etc...
9. Data Science (Part Time)
Create robust predictive models with statistics and Python programming. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex machine learning problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
10. Python Programming (Part Time)
Gain fluency in Python — the world's fastest-growing major programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build web and data science applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
11. Android Kotlin Developer
Master Android app development with Kotlin, a modern programming language that enables developers to be more concise and productive. Build professional apps for the world's most popular mobile platform using Android Studio and Kotlin...
12. Artificial Intelligence for Trading
Complete real-world projects designed by industry experts, covering topics from asset management to trading signal generation. Master AI algorithms for trading, and build your career-ready portfolio...
13. Learn API Technical Writing: JSON and XML for Writers
API Documentation 1: Teaches technical writers how to document structured data. No programming experience required...
14. Learn API Technical Writing 2: REST for Writers
API Documentation 2: Teaches technical writers how to document REST. No programming experience required...
15. Front-End Web Development (Part Time)
Start building responsive websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — a versatile skill set with powerful applications in a variety of design, marketing, and other tech-adjacent roles. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
16. JavaScript Development (Part Time)
Gain fluency in JavaScript — the world's most popular programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build rich, interactive websites and applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
17. Data Engineer
Learn to design data models, build data warehouses and data lakes, automate data pipelines, and work with massive datasets...
18. iOS Developer
Master the Swift programming language, and create a portfolio of iOS apps for iPhone and iPad to showcase your skills!...
19. 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!...
20. 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...
Top 10 most affordable universities for software writers
The most affordable schools for software writers are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for software 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 software writers.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
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. York College of the City University of New York
Jamaica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,158
Cost of attendance
14,204
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for software writers
The hardest universities for software writers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for software 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 software 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for software writers
The easiest schools for software writers to get into are D'Youville College, oklahoma wesleyan university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a software 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 software writers.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
5. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
6. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
10. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
Average software writer salary by education level
| Software writer education level | Software writer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $91,355 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,408 |
| Doctorate Degree | $104,108 |
Software writer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025