Search engine optimizer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a search engine optimizer. Search engine optimizers usually study electrical engineering, business, or computer science. 67% of search engine optimizers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 852 real search engine optimizer resumes to see exactly what search engine optimizer education sections show.

The most common colleges for search engine optimizers are the Brigham Young University and the Brigham Young University.

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

What education do you need to become a search engine optimizer?

What degree do you need to be a search engine optimizer?

The most common degree for search engine optimizers is bachelor's degree, with 67% of search engine optimizers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 67%

Master's, 12%

Associate, 12%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a search engine optimizer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a search engine optimizer. 17% of search engine optimizers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a search engine optimizer include business and computer science.

Electrical Engineering, 17%

Business, 14%

Computer Science, 11%

Communication, 8%

Other Majors, 50%

Most common colleges for search engine optimizers

Search engine optimizers often get their degrees at Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for search engine optimizers in the US based on their resumes.

Search engine optimizer common college	Percentages
Brigham Young University	9.88%
Arizona State University	7.41%
University of California - Davis	7.41%
University of Phoenix	6.17%
Illinois Institute of Technology	6.17%

Show more common search engine optimizer colleges

Best majors for search engine optimizers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	17.1%
2	Business	13.6%
3	Computer Science	10.8%
4	Communication	8.2%
5	Marketing	7.3%

Show more common search engine optimizer majors

Best colleges for search engine optimizers

The best colleges for search engine optimizers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A search engine optimizer 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 optimizers. 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 optimizers.

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. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

20 best online courses for search engine optimizers

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6. SEO Training Academy: Learn Search Engine Optimization

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

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Top 10 most affordable universities for search engine optimizers

The most affordable schools for search engine optimizers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.

If the best universities for search engine optimizers 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 optimizers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for search engine optimizers

The hardest universities for search engine optimizers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for search engine optimizers 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 optimizers 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for search engine optimizers

The easiest schools for search engine optimizers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and oregon institute of technology.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a search engine optimizer 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 optimizers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

9. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average search engine optimizer salary by education level

Search engine optimizers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $117,474 annually. With a Master's degree, search engine optimizers earn a median annual income of $117,443 compared to $105,196 for search engine optimizers with an Bachelor's degree.

Search engine optimizer education level	Search engine optimizer salary
Master's Degree	$117,443
Bachelor's Degree	$105,196
Doctorate Degree	$117,474
Some College/ Associate Degree	$87,914

Search engine optimizer education FAQs

What is the best college for Search Engine Optimizers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for search engine optimizer 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

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