Dog groomer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a dog groomer. Dog groomers usually study business, general studies, or medical assisting services. 44% of dog groomers hold a high school diploma, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,825 real dog groomer resumes to see exactly what dog groomer education sections show.

The most common colleges for dog groomers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online dog groomer courses to help get the education required to be a dog groomer.

There are certain dog groomer certifications that you should consider. These dog groomer certifications include National Certified Master Groomer and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).

What education do you need to become a dog groomer?

What degree do you need to be a dog groomer?

The most common degree for dog groomers is high school diploma, with 44% of dog groomers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 20%.

High School Diploma, 44%

Associate, 20%

Bachelor's, 20%

Diploma, 8%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a dog groomer?

You should major in business to become a dog groomer. 16% of dog groomers major in business. Other common majors for a dog groomer include general studies and medical assisting services.

Business, 16%

General Studies, 11%

Medical Assisting Services, 10%

Cosmetology, 6%

Other Majors, 57%

Most common colleges for dog groomers

Dog groomers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Central State University, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for dog groomers in the US based on their resumes.

Dog groomer common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	9.72%
Central State University	6.94%
Temple University	5.56%
South University	5.56%
University of New Hampshire	5.56%

Show more common dog groomer colleges

Best majors for dog groomers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	16.2%
2	General Studies	10.8%
3	Medical Assisting Services	9.8%
4	Cosmetology	6.4%
5	Psychology	5.7%

Show more common dog groomer majors

Best colleges for dog groomers

The best colleges for dog groomers are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

A dog groomer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for dog groomers. 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 dog groomers.

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$15,887

Enrollment

23,202

2. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,080

Enrollment

30,795

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

4. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,748

Enrollment

8,201

5. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$9,414

Enrollment

11,182

6. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$36,410

Enrollment

1,668

7. The University of Findlay

Findlay, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$34,360

Enrollment

2,533

8. West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,935

Enrollment

7,368

9. Post University

Waterbury, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$16,610

Enrollment

9,017

10. Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$11,707

Enrollment

24,210

20 best online courses for dog groomers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for dog groomers

The most affordable schools for dog groomers are Post University, texas a&m; university - commerce, and vermont technical college.

If the best universities for dog groomers 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 dog groomers.

1. Post University

Waterbury, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$16,610

Cost of attendance

28,866

2. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,748

Cost of attendance

21,180

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Cost of attendance

26,669

4. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$9,414

Cost of attendance

20,733

5. West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,935

Cost of attendance

20,269

6. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,670

Cost of attendance

25,661

7. Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$28,572

Cost of attendance

38,639

8. The University of Montana - Western

Dillon, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,717

Cost of attendance

17,665

9. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,080

Cost of attendance

23,157

10. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$15,887

Cost of attendance

30,013

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for dog groomers

The hardest universities for dog groomers to get into are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

Some great schools for dog groomers 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 dog groomers 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 Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,302

2. Otterbein University

Westerville, OH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,191

3. Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,119

4. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,146

5. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,157

6. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,080

7. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

8. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,175

9. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

10. Midway University

Midway, KY • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

1,081

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for dog groomers

The easiest schools for dog groomers to get into are Centenary University, suny college of agriculture & technology at morrisville, and averett university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a dog groomer 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 dog groomers.

1. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

2. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

955

3. Averett University

Danville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

953

4. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,027

5. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,146

6. St. Andrews University

Laurinburg, NC • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

987

7. Otterbein University

Westerville, OH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,191

8. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

9. Wilson College

Chambersburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,054

10. Wilmington College

Wilmington, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,060

Average dog groomer salary by education level

Dog groomers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $34,133 annually. With a Associate degree, dog groomers earn a median annual income of $32,588 compared to $30,950 for dog groomers with an High School Diploma degree.

Dog groomer education level	Dog groomer salary
High School Diploma or Less	$30,950
Bachelor's Degree	$34,133
Some College/ Associate Degree	$32,588

Dog groomer education FAQs

What is the best college for Dog Groomers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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