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Search engine marketing strategist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a search engine marketing strategist. Search engine marketing strategists usually study business, marketing, or psychology. 85% of search engine marketing strategists hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 78 real search engine marketing strategist resumes to see exactly what search engine marketing strategist education sections show.

The most common colleges for search engine marketing strategists are the University of Massachusetts Boston and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

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

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

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

The most common degree for search engine marketing strategists is bachelor's degree, with 85% of search engine marketing strategists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 8% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 85%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Master's, 7%

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

You should major in business to become a search engine marketing strategist. 21% of search engine marketing strategists major in business. Other common majors for a search engine marketing strategist include marketing and psychology.

Most common colleges for search engine marketing strategists

Search engine marketing strategists often get their degrees at University of Massachusetts Boston, Minnesota State University - Mankato, and University of Idaho. Here are the most common colleges for search engine marketing strategists in the US based on their resumes.
Search engine marketing strategist common collegePercentages
University of Massachusetts Boston13.79%
Minnesota State University - Mankato6.90%
University of Idaho6.90%
SUNY Buffalo State6.90%
Fairfield University6.90%

Best majors for search engine marketing strategists

RankMajorPercentages
1Business20.7%
2Marketing13.8%
3Psychology6.9%
4Advertising6.9%
5History5.2%

Best colleges for search engine marketing strategists

The best colleges for search engine marketing strategists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

A search engine marketing strategist 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 strategists. 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 strategists.

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. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,912

Enrollment

14,245

5. Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$41,420

Enrollment

5,907

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for search engine marketing strategists

Advertising disclosure

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

coursera

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

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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...

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

udemy
4
(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

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4
(388)

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

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

udemy
4.2
(1,059)

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

6. Digital Marketing Strategist. Unlock your career growth

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4.4
(2,874)

Become a digital marketing expert. Learn proven digital marketing strategies with my roadmap and 24/7 expert support...

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

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4.3
(764)

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

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

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4.3
(320)

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

9. 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...

10. SEO Training Academy: Learn Search Engine Optimization

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4.3
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Master the art of search engine optimization by learning fundamental SEO principles and techniques in this course...

11. 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...

12. Content Marketing Masterclass: Create Content That Sells

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4.5
(4,803)

Master content marketing to grow your business: content creation, promotion, copywriting, SEO, email marketing, & more!...

13. Best of SEO: #1 SEO Training & Content Marketing Course 2023

udemy
4.3
(955)

Best of Search Engine Optimisation 2023: Ultimate Pro Edition. Become a SEO, Content Marketing & Copywriting Consultant...

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

udemy
4.4
(1,552)

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

15. Wix Website SEO Wix SEO Wix Search Engine Optimisation

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4.1
(312)

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

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

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4.8
(549)

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

17. Facebook Marketing 2023. Promote Your Business on Facebook!

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4.3
(592)

Learn how to promote your brand on Facebook, create engaging content, launch ads and increase the number of followers!...

18. Online Marketing For Your Local Business Made Simple

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4.2
(323)

Specific, hands-on techniques from a digital marketing pro so you can be successful using social media, SEO, and ads...

19. Google Ads 2023: How to Drive Sales With PPC!

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4.4
(316)

Get started with Google Ads and launch effective PPC advertising campaigns to reach new customers and grow your business...

20. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Essentials & Tricks

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4.5
(446)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for search engine marketing strategists

The most affordable schools for search engine marketing strategists are SUNY Farmingdale, usf sarasota-manatee, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for search engine marketing strategists 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 strategists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for search engine marketing strategists

The hardest universities for search engine marketing strategists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Some great schools for search engine marketing strategists 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 strategists 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 Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

33%

SAT average

1,353

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

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

The easiest schools for search engine marketing strategists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and notre dame college.

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

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

Average search engine marketing strategist salary by education level

According to our data, search engine marketing strategists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,822 annually. Search engine marketing strategists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $78,805.
Search engine marketing strategist education levelSearch engine marketing strategist salary
Master's Degree$78,805
Bachelor's Degree$71,972
Doctorate Degree$78,822
Some College/ Associate Degree$62,084

Search engine marketing strategist 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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