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Pet sitter education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a pet sitter. Pet sitters usually study business, psychology, or biology. 45% of pet sitters hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 6,588 real pet sitter resumes to see exactly what pet sitter education sections show.

The most common colleges for pet sitters are the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania.

There are also many online pet sitter courses to help get the education required to be a pet sitter.

There are certain pet sitter certifications that you should consider. These pet sitter certifications include Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

What education do you need to become a pet sitter?

What degree do you need to be a pet sitter?

The most common degree for pet sitters is bachelor's degree, with 45% of pet sitters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 22% and high school diploma degree at 22%.
  • Bachelor's, 45%
  • High School Diploma, 22%
  • Associate, 22%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a pet sitter?

You should major in business to become a pet sitter. 12% of pet sitters major in business. Other common majors for a pet sitter include psychology and biology.

Most common colleges for pet sitters

Pet sitters often get their degrees at University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for pet sitters in the US based on their resumes.
Pet sitter common collegePercentages
University of Pennsylvania8.67%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro6.63%
University of Central Florida6.12%
Ohio State University5.61%
University of South Florida5.10%

Best majors for pet sitters

RankMajorPercentages
1Business12.3%
2Psychology12.1%
3Biology9.7%
4Medical Assisting Services7.3%
5General Studies6.9%

Best colleges for pet sitters

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

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

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 pet sitters

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3. Pet First Aid (Advanced)

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Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...

4. Animal & Pet Reiki Energy Healing Certification Course

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Animal & Pet Reiki using energy healing is both easy to do and rewarding for all! Obtain certification upon completion!...

5. Health for All Through Primary Health Care

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This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...

6. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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9. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care

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Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...

13. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative

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17. The Business of Health Care

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Top 10 most affordable universities for pet sitters

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

If the best universities for pet sitters 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 pet sitters.

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 pet sitters

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

Some great schools for pet sitters 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 pet sitters 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 pet sitters

The easiest schools for pet sitters 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 pet sitter 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 pet sitters.

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 pet sitter salary by education level

Pet sitters with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $30,549 annually. With a Associate degree, pet sitters earn a median annual income of $27,199 compared to $23,901 for pet sitters with an High School Diploma degree.
Pet sitter education levelPet sitter salary
High School Diploma or Less$23,901
Bachelor's Degree$30,549
Some College/ Associate Degree$27,199

Pet sitter education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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