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Search engine marketing manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a search engine marketing manager. Search engine marketing managers usually study marketing, business, or communication. 77% of search engine marketing managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 438 real search engine marketing manager resumes to see exactly what search engine marketing manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for search engine marketing managers are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.

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

There are certain search engine marketing manager certifications that you should consider. These search engine marketing manager certifications include Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

What education do you need to become a search engine marketing manager?

What degree do you need to be a search engine marketing manager?

The most common degree for search engine marketing managers is bachelor's degree, with 77% of search engine marketing managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 77%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Diploma, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a search engine marketing manager?

You should major in marketing to become a search engine marketing manager. 19% of search engine marketing managers major in marketing. Other common majors for a search engine marketing manager include business and communication.

Most common colleges for search engine marketing managers

Search engine marketing managers often get their degrees at San Jose State University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for search engine marketing managers in the US based on their resumes.
Search engine marketing manager common collegePercentages
San Jose State University7.35%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey7.35%
University of Phoenix7.35%
University of San Francisco5.88%
New York University5.88%

Best majors for search engine marketing managers

RankMajorPercentages
1Marketing19.5%
2Business19.1%
3Communication9.3%
4Computer Science5.5%
5English5.1%

Best colleges for search engine marketing managers

The best colleges for search engine marketing managers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

A search engine marketing manager 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 engine marketing managers. 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 engine marketing managers.

1. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

20 best online courses for search engine marketing managers

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1. Product Management (Part Time)

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Balance business viability, technical feasibility, and customer desire to lead products and features toward long-term success. Learn from a seasoned expert. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

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Build confidence and capability to apply modern marketing strategies on the job. Drive growth with multichannel campaigns powered by data and customer insight. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

3. Predictive Analytics for Business

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Learn to apply predictive analytics and business intelligence to solve real-world business problems...

4. Marketing Analytics

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Gain an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and marketing analytics. Analyze data and build models with Excel, Data Studio, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

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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...

6. Digital Consumer Search and Marketing

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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...

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

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4
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Digital Marketing, Keyword Search, Website Traffic, Link Building, SEO Audit, Google Ads and PPC, Word Press, Local SEO...

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

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

9. Product Manager

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Envision and lead the product strategy of industry-defining products, and learn to successfully bring them to market. Influence the execution of product development as a Product Manager, one of the most highly-coveted roles in technology...

10. Data Product Manager

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Leverage data to build products that deliver the right experiences, to the right users, at the right time. Lead the development of data-driven products that position businesses to win in their market...

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

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

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

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4.2
(1,059)

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

13. Digital Marketing

udacity

Gain real-world experience running live campaigns as you learn from top experts in the field. Launch your career with a 360-degree understanding of digital marketing...

14. AI for Business Leaders

udacity

Master the foundations of artificial intelligence so you can strategically implement AI in your company. Leverage machine learning technologies to power corporate growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experiences...

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

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4.6
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To Get Rank #1 on Google, Learn SEO that works. Search Engine Optimization for Newbies, Business Owner, Web Developers...

16. SEO Training Academy: Learn Search Engine Optimization

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4.3
(791)

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

17. Business Analytics

udacity

In this program, you will learn foundational data skills that apply across functions and industries. You will learn to analyze data and build models with Excel, query databases using SQL, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...

18. AI Product Manager

udacity

Learn to develop AI products that deliver business value. Build skills that help you compete in the new AI-powered world...

19. SEO Training: Google SEO, Mobile SEO, Content, Wordpress SEO

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4.5
(1,980)

SEO Training Improve Your Website Rank with Search Engine Optimization Mobile, Google SEO, Local SEO, Wordpress SEO...

20. SEO Strategy 2023. SEO training to TOP rank your website!

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4.4
(1,552)

Search Engine Optimization course on how to build an effective SEO Strategy and increase your website's Google rankings...

Top 10 most affordable universities for search engine marketing managers

The most affordable schools for search engine marketing managers are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and fashion institute of technology.

If the best universities for search engine marketing managers 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 engine marketing managers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

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 engine marketing managers

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

Some great schools for search engine marketing managers 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 engine marketing managers 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

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for search engine marketing managers

The easiest schools for search engine marketing managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, university of the incarnate word, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a search engine marketing manager 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 engine marketing managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

Average search engine marketing manager salary by education level

Search engine marketing managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $99,991 annually. With a Master's degree, search engine marketing managers earn a median annual income of $96,646 compared to $87,768 for search engine marketing managers with an Bachelor's degree.
Search engine marketing manager education levelSearch engine marketing manager salary
Master's Degree$96,646
Bachelor's Degree$87,768
Doctorate Degree$99,991

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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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