Search consultant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a search consultant. Search consultants usually study business, communication, or marketing. 78% of search consultants hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,274 real search consultant resumes to see exactly what search consultant education sections show.

The most common colleges for search consultants are the University of North Texas and the University of North Texas.

There are also many online search consultant courses to help get the education required to be a search consultant.

There are certain search consultant certifications that you should consider. These search consultant certifications include Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

What education do you need to become a search consultant?

What degree do you need to be a search consultant?

The most common degree for search consultants is bachelor's degree, with 78% of search consultants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 78%

Master's, 11%

Associate, 7%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a search consultant?

You should major in business to become a search consultant. 27% of search consultants major in business. Other common majors for a search consultant include communication and marketing.

Business, 27%

Communication, 9%

Marketing, 9%

Psychology, 7%

Other Majors, 48%

Most common colleges for search consultants

Search consultants often get their degrees at University of North Texas, Pennsylvania State University, and Georgia State University. Here are the most common colleges for search consultants in the US based on their resumes.

Search consultant common college	Percentages
University of North Texas	7.58%
Pennsylvania State University	6.82%
Georgia State University	6.82%
University of Phoenix	6.82%
Texas A&M University	6.06%

Show more common search consultant colleges

Best majors for search consultants

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	26.7%
2	Communication	9.4%
3	Marketing	9.2%
4	Psychology	6.9%
5	English	6.0%

Show more common search consultant majors

Best colleges for search consultants

The best colleges for search consultants are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

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

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

20 best online courses for search consultants

Advertising disclosure

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

This Specialization will teach you to optimize website content for the best possible search engine ranking. You'll learn the theory behind Google search and other search engine algorithms; you'll also build practical, real-world skills that you can apply to a career in digital marketing or online content development, including on-page and off-page optimization, optimizing for local and international audiences, conducting search-focused website audits, and aligning SEO with overall business...

2. Digital Consumer Search and Marketing

Digital Consumer Search and Marketing builds on the foundations of digital consumer behaviour and digital marketing. You will learn how to optimise marketing efforts across digital channels.\n\nBy the end of the specialization, you will have a good understanding of the design and implementation of digital marketing strategies, as well as the importance and use of digital media and tools including:\n\nSearch Engine Optimization (SEO) Content Marketing Social Media Marketing Mobile Marketing Pay...

3. Master Course in Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

(257)

Digital Marketing, Keyword Search, Website Traffic, Link Building, SEO Audit, Google Ads and PPC, Word Press, Local SEO...

4. SEO: Master Search Engine Optimization and SEO Link Building

(388)

Secrets of 2017 To Boost Search Rank, Conversions, Content, Traffic, Sales, Shares & Links for Wordpress & Other Sites...

5. Splunk Search Expert

By completing Search Expert 101, 102 & 103, you will be able to write efficient searches, perform correlations, create visualizations, and leverage subsearches and lookups. This course will also show you how to get started using your machine data to provide actionable reports and dashboards for your organization...

6. SEO in 2018 - SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

4.3

(764)

SEO training expert with 20 years Search Engine Optimization experience shows you how to promote your website in Google...

7. Google Search-Master Class

(577)

Use Google Search as a Professional...

8. SEO Training Academy: Learn Search Engine Optimization

4.3

(791)

Master the art of search engine optimization by learning fundamental SEO principles and techniques in this course...

9. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Essentials & Tricks

4.5

(446)

More than 80,000 business owners have taken my class. Now available in 11 languages...

10. Google Advanced Search: Find Stuff Like a Boss

(1,163)

Become an Expert Googler...

11. SEO Strategy: Keyword Research, Audit & Link Building

4.2

(1,059)

Successfully rank your website on the 1st page of Google. Select the best keywords, optimize your site and build links...

12. SEO Training Course 2018: Proven SEO & Link building Tactics

4.6

(382)

To Get Rank #1 on Google, Learn SEO that works. Search Engine Optimization for Newbies, Business Owner, Web Developers...

13. Modern SEO - Safe, Effective Search Engine Optimization

4.5

(661)

Learn safe, White Hat SEO that works, and won't get your site penalised...

14. 2017 ETSY SEO - Search Engine Optimization - More Sales Now!

4.5

(255)

Learn the definitive way to Optimize all of your ETSY listings, and climb to the top of the searches fast!...

15. Make a Google search engine clone: JavaScript PHP and MySQL

4.8

(549)

Learn Java Script, PHP and My SQL by building your own search engine from scratch! A COMPLETE walkthrough!...

16. Job Search Tips & Career Development PLUS ChatGPT Tips

4.7

(276)

Get the job you want, build your career and learn essential Chat GPT tips for job search success and career growth...

17. Wix Website SEO Wix SEO Wix Search Engine Optimisation

4.1

(312)

Rank Your Wix Website In Google, Yahoo & Bing With An Easy To Follow Wix SEO Strategy...

18. Consulting Business Masterclass: Start A Consulting Business

(478)

The Complete A-Z Consulting Course for Everyone Who Wants to Become Location-Independent...

19. Consulting Business: How to Start a Consulting Business

(502)

Consulting Business 90-Step Startup + 5-Phase Consulting Business Proposal Plan to Start Consulting Business Fast...

20. Search Engine Marketing (SEM): #1 Step-by-Step Tutorial

4.3

(320)

SEM For Word Press: Discover How To Easily Convert Your Website Visitors Into Sales!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for search consultants

The most affordable schools for search consultants are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for search consultants 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 search consultants.

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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

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 International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for search consultants

The hardest universities for search consultants to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for search consultants 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 search consultants 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for search consultants

The easiest schools for search consultants to get into are Barry University, holy names university, and university of north texas at dallas.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a search consultant 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 search consultants.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

5. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

6. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

7. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average search consultant salary by education level

Search consultants with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $64,649 annually. With a Master's degree, search consultants earn a median annual income of $60,818 compared to $55,715 for search consultants with an Bachelor's degree.

Search consultant education level	Search consultant salary
Master's Degree	$60,818
High School Diploma or Less	$47,799
Bachelor's Degree	$55,715
Doctorate Degree	$64,649
Some College/ Associate Degree	$47,937

Search consultant education FAQs

What is the best college for Search Consultants?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for search consultant jobs

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

Browse business and financial jobs