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Search strategist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a search strategist. Search strategists usually study marketing, business, or communication. 79% of search strategists hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 324 real search strategist resumes to see exactly what search strategist education sections show.

The most common colleges for search strategists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain search strategist certifications that you should consider. These search strategist certifications include Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ).

What education do you need to become a search strategist?

What degree do you need to be a search strategist?

The most common degree for search strategists is bachelor's degree, with 79% of search strategists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 79%
  • Master's, 12%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Diploma, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a search strategist?

You should major in marketing to become a search strategist. 23% of search strategists major in marketing. Other common majors for a search strategist include business and communication.

Most common colleges for search strategists

Search strategists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Utah Valley University. Here are the most common colleges for search strategists in the US based on their resumes.
Search strategist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix8.47%
University of California, Santa Barbara8.47%
Utah Valley University6.78%
Full Sail University6.78%
SUNY Buffalo State6.78%

Best majors for search strategists

RankMajorPercentages
1Marketing23.0%
2Business16.8%
3Communication9.4%
4Journalism8.9%
5English6.8%

Best colleges for search strategists

The best colleges for search strategists are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Boston University.

A search 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 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 strategists.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

8. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$11,803

Enrollment

4,631

20 best online courses for search strategists

Advertising disclosure

1. 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...

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)

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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 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...

6. 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...

7. 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...

8. Google Search-Master Class

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4
(577)

Use Google Search as a Professional...

9. Wix Website SEO Wix SEO Wix Search Engine Optimisation

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4.1
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Rank Your Wix Website In Google, Yahoo & Bing With An Easy To Follow Wix SEO Strategy...

10. 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...

11. Modern SEO - Safe, Effective Search Engine Optimization

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4.5
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Learn safe, White Hat SEO that works, and won't get your site penalised...

12. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Essentials & Tricks

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4.5
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More than 80,000 business owners have taken my class. Now available in 11 languages...

13. 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...

14. 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...

15. 2017 ETSY SEO - Search Engine Optimization - More Sales Now!

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4.5
(255)

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

16. Complete SEO Training With Top SEO Expert Peter Kent!

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4.4
(5,358)

Win The SEO Game & Dominate The Search Engines With the Author of Best-Selling Search Engine Optimization for Dummies...

17. Google Advanced Search: Find Stuff Like a Boss

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4
(1,163)

Become an Expert Googler...

18. 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!...

19. SEO Training Masterclass 2023: Beginner To Advanced SEO

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4.7
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SEO training for profitable SEO traffic! Word Press SEO, Yoast SEO, keyword research, on-page SEO, link building SEO...

20. SEO Guide 2022: How I Get 5,000 Visitors a Day to My Website

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4.5
(444)

Learn Search Engine Optimization from Start to End Actionable SEO Tips Word Press SEO Training...

Top 10 most affordable universities for search strategists

The most affordable schools for search strategists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for search 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 strategists.

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. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for search strategists

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

Some great schools for search 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 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

10. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

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

The easiest schools for search strategists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and university of the incarnate word.

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

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

8. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average search strategist salary by education level

Search strategists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $97,487 annually. With a Master's degree, search strategists earn a median annual income of $97,461 compared to $86,862 for search strategists with an Bachelor's degree.
Search strategist education levelSearch strategist salary
Master's Degree$97,461
Bachelor's Degree$86,862
Doctorate Degree$97,487
Some College/ Associate Degree$72,002

Search 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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