US Education & Training Universities - PPC Market Share Analysis January 2026

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the US Universities category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Universities – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Education & Training Universities US

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 43.9175442866
56.0824557134
43%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 42
58
42%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 18%
Transactional 1%
Navigational 2%
Seasonal 0%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 5%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Education & Training Universities brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
phoenix.edu 12.67
asu.edu 7.78
wgu.edu 6.2
snhu.edu 6.18
collegeboard.org 5.42
gcu.edu 4.38
capella.edu 2.91
chamberlain.edu 2.27
devry.edu 2.25
nu.edu 1.9
others 48.04
  • phoenix.edu - 12.67%
  • asu.edu - 7.78%
  • wgu.edu - 6.2%
  • snhu.edu - 6.18%
  • collegeboard.org - 5.42%
  • gcu.edu - 4.38%
  • capella.edu - 2.91%
  • chamberlain.edu - 2.27%
  • devry.edu - 2.25%
  • nu.edu - 1.9%
  • others - 48.04%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the education sector’s PPC landscape, Phoenix.edu leads with 12.67% click share, while ASU.edu follows at 7.78%. Others collectively dominate with 48.04%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Education & Training Universities brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date phoenix.edu gcu.edu asu.edu snhu.edu capella.edu chamberlain.edu nu.edu wgu.edu devry.edu waldenu.edu
2026/01/01 7.03% 2.3% 3.2% 8.43% 4.78% 0.35% 2.52% 5.86% 3.02% 1.41%
2026/01/02 6.69% 3.55% 8.99% 8.34% 5% 0.24% 2.2% 3.64% 2.2% 2.07%
2026/01/03 5.69% 3.66% 9.48% 8.33% 5.48% 0.4% 2.04% 3.24% 2.64% 1.4%
2026/01/04 5.66% 4.68% 10.37% 8.47% 4.38% 0.31% 2.28% 3.78% 2.91% 1.34%
2026/01/05 5.3% 5.84% 10.81% 8.07% 4.1% 1.2% 1.86% 3.13% 3.48% 2.41%
2026/01/06 6.87% 4.73% 4.19% 7.39% 4.8% 0.69% 2.43% 3.91% 2.9% 0.44%
2026/01/07 6.42% 4.83% 9.89% 9.03% 3.27% 2.41% 1.95% 3.16% 2.97% 3.52%
2026/01/08 7.49% 3.77% 10.41% 9.05% 3.29% 1.78% 2.1% 3.12% 2.88% 2.54%
2026/01/09 8.29% 4.32% 9.76% 7.65% 3.77% 2.22% 1.64% 2.66% 2.14% 0.88%
2026/01/10 8.95% 4.55% 9.08% 8.19% 2.52% 2.19% 1.8% 3.65% 2.35% 0.66%
2026/01/11 8.81% 4.31% 8.74% 7.58% 2.57% 1.95% 1.67% 4.6% 1.43% 0.39%
2026/01/12 8.88% 4.8% 8.03% 7.04% 3.96% 3.04% 1.52% 4.03% 2.29% 0.83%
2026/01/13 8.99% 6.08% 8.01% 6.81% 4.09% 3.15% 1.45% 3.53% 2.49% 2.16%
2026/01/14 8.4% 5.48% 8.12% 8.57% 3.97% 3.53% 1.78% 2.77% 2.73% 2.84%
2026/01/15 8.71% 5.8% 7.37% 9.28% 3.66% 3.67% 1.89% 2.51% 2.78% 2.66%
2026/01/16 8.2% 4.29% 9.66% 7.57% 3.73% 2.2% 1.63% 2.63% 2.12% 0.87%
2026/01/17 10.51% 4.61% 6.46% 8.16% 3.39% 3.92% 2.4% 4.18% 2.26% 1.2%
2026/01/18 10.42% 4.87% 6.48% 7.54% 3.17% 3.83% 2.23% 3.53% 3.38% 1.05%
2026/01/19 10.86% 5.14% 6.13% 7.58% 3.45% 3.84% 3.19% 2.5% 1.45% 1.35%
2026/01/20 8.92% 6.04% 7.95% 6.75% 4.06% 3.12% 1.47% 3.5% 2.47% 2.15%
2026/01/21 10.18% 5.48% 6.86% 8.17% 3.75% 3.18% 2.41% 2.65% 2.49% 2.74%
2026/01/22 9.73% 4.57% 7.45% 7.48% 4.37% 2.79% 2.67% 4.91% 3.18% 2.56%
2026/01/23 9.61% 4.95% 6.44% 6.93% 3.92% 2.89% 3.21% 3.84% 4.57% 2.55%
2026/01/24 10.45% 3.89% 6.09% 7.33% 3.19% 3.06% 3.45% 4.04% 2.34% 2.19%
2026/01/25 9.42% 4.36% 5.83% 7.03% 2.85% 3.16% 3.32% 4.34% 2.76% 2.15%
2026/01/26 8.75% 4.48% 5.53% 6.23% 2.71% 3.74% 2.94% 3.77% 4.16% 1.98%
2026/01/27 10.99% 5.35% 5.89% 5.69% 3.38% 3.45% 2.77% 3.02% 3.34% 1.71%
2026/01/28 10.32% 4.33% 7.56% 5.42% 3.57% 4.1% 2.66% 3.03% 4.07% 1.29%
2026/01/29 10.52% 5.1% 7.73% 5.18% 3.55% 3.27% 1.53% 3.17% 4.58% 1.3%
2026/01/30 9.01% 6.15% 6.69% 5.88% 3.87% 4.02% 2.78% 2.46% 4% 1.46%
2026/01/31 9.12% 8.44% 6.58% 5.29% 4.57% 3.8% 3.28% 3.11% 3.04% 0.94%
  • phoenix.edu
  • gcu.edu
  • asu.edu
  • snhu.edu
  • capella.edu
  • chamberlain.edu
  • nu.edu
  • wgu.edu
  • devry.edu
  • waldenu.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Phoenix.edu’s spend share rose from 7.03% to 9.12% in January. Gcu.edu ended at 8.44%, while asu.edu fluctuated, closing at 6.58%. Snhu.edu’s share decreased to 5.29%.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Education & Training Universities

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/01/01 1065
2026/01/02 1083
2026/01/03 1079
2026/01/04 1080
2026/01/05 1079
2026/01/06 1077
2026/01/07 1026
2026/01/08 1011
2026/01/09 1026
2026/01/10 1059
2026/01/11 1043
2026/01/12 1063
2026/01/13 1069
2026/01/14 1048
2026/01/15 990
2026/01/16 1026
2026/01/17 1038
2026/01/18 1067
2026/01/19 1037
2026/01/20 1069
2026/01/21 1059
2026/01/22 1001
2026/01/23 1032
2026/01/24 1061
2026/01/25 1075
2026/01/26 1100
2026/01/27 1064
2026/01/28 1058
2026/01/29 1039
2026/01/30 1049
2026/01/31 1053

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

January saw a dynamic shift in distinct advertisers, starting at 1,065 and peaking at 1,100 on the 26th. The month concluded with a stable 1,053, reflecting a resilient advertising landscape.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Education & Training Universities

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
collegeboard.org 8.05%
nu.edu 0.45%
regent.edu 0.41%
chamberlain.edu 0.38%
devry.edu 0.29%
education.com -0.33%
calacademy.org -0.41%
wgu.edu -0.89%
asu.edu -0.98%
snhu.edu -1.18%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Collegeboard.org surged with an 8.05% click share increase, while snhu.edu dropped by 1.18%. Other notable gains include nu.edu at 0.45% and regent.edu at 0.41%.

Campaign Efficiency

US Education & Training Universities Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date phoenix.edu gcu.edu asu.edu nu.edu snhu.edu wgu.edu capella.edu devry.edu chamberlain.edu waldenu.edu
2026/01/01 7.68% 2.44% 2.44% 3.13% 6.99% 5.82% 3.62% 3.3% 0.34% 1.32%
2026/01/02 7.25% 3.45% 6.23% 2.81% 7.17% 4.14% 3.83% 2.47% 0.23% 2.09%
2026/01/03 6.13% 3.72% 6.97% 2.54% 7.15% 3.94% 4.29% 2.94% 0.4% 1.27%
2026/01/04 6% 4.78% 7.67% 3.23% 7.46% 4.54% 3.15% 3.25% 0.31% 1.51%
2026/01/05 6.12% 5.99% 7.92% 2.28% 6.81% 3.77% 2.97% 4.12% 0.9% 2.57%
2026/01/06 7.35% 4.5% 3.07% 3.1% 5.85% 4.35% 3.49% 3.19% 0.57% 0.55%
2026/01/07 6.81% 4.61% 7.32% 2.39% 8.44% 3.75% 2.32% 3.54% 1.64% 3.73%
2026/01/08 8.54% 4.49% 7.47% 2.56% 8.41% 3.81% 2.45% 3.61% 1.24% 2.66%
2026/01/09 9.47% 5.18% 7.19% 2.24% 7.13% 2.86% 3.01% 2.43% 1.52% 1.3%
2026/01/10 9.51% 4.93% 6.61% 2.16% 7.39% 3.99% 1.9% 2.85% 1.44% 0.74%
2026/01/11 9.66% 4.31% 6.15% 2.02% 6.92% 4.95% 1.91% 1.75% 1.32% 0.51%
2026/01/12 9.78% 5.28% 5.65% 1.56% 6.2% 4.61% 2.71% 2.51% 2.04% 1.01%
2026/01/13 10.06% 6.36% 5.78% 1.76% 5.89% 4.04% 3.55% 2.88% 2.09% 2.33%
2026/01/14 9.11% 6.14% 5.89% 2.4% 7.16% 3.24% 2.68% 3.12% 2.33% 2.88%
2026/01/15 9.35% 6.3% 5.57% 2.52% 8.25% 3.26% 3.11% 3.4% 2.54% 2.63%
2026/01/16 9.47% 5.18% 7.19% 2.24% 7.13% 2.86% 3.01% 2.43% 1.52% 1.3%
2026/01/17 10.99% 5.27% 4.55% 2.78% 6.92% 4.43% 2.6% 2.75% 2.54% 1.7%
2026/01/18 11.62% 5.26% 4.84% 2.34% 6.62% 4.18% 2.64% 3.6% 2.38% 1.65%
2026/01/19 11.9% 5.79% 4.55% 3.56% 6.2% 3.02% 2.84% 1.7% 2.53% 1.44%
2026/01/20 10.06% 6.36% 5.78% 1.76% 5.89% 4.04% 3.55% 2.88% 2.09% 2.33%
2026/01/21 11.21% 5.97% 4.93% 2.75% 7.01% 2.94% 2.89% 3.04% 2.07% 2.73%
2026/01/22 10.33% 4.66% 5.21% 2.71% 6.36% 4.91% 3.24% 3.8% 1.76% 2.52%
2026/01/23 10.58% 5.38% 4.6% 3.46% 5.46% 3.8% 3.13% 5.29% 1.96% 2.41%
2026/01/24 10.58% 4.46% 4.31% 3.92% 5.66% 4.06% 2.62% 2.86% 1.93% 2.01%
2026/01/25 9.5% 4.64% 4.28% 4.11% 5.61% 4.31% 2.45% 3.19% 2.08% 2.3%
2026/01/26 9.18% 5.14% 4.18% 3.46% 5.24% 4.03% 1.9% 4.69% 2.48% 1.97%
2026/01/27 11.73% 5.67% 4.5% 3.38% 4.9% 3.2% 2.76% 4.04% 2.37% 1.47%
2026/01/28 11.24% 4.61% 5.77% 2.94% 4.22% 3.3% 2.67% 4.54% 2.93% 1.19%
2026/01/29 11.02% 5.47% 5.72% 1.96% 4.3% 3.16% 2.35% 4.97% 2.28% 1.27%
2026/01/30 9.33% 6.21% 5.07% 3.41% 4.56% 2.75% 2.99% 4.34% 2.58% 1.1%
2026/01/31 9.49% 9.04% 5.01% 4.2% 4.08% 3.76% 3.73% 3.42% 2.47% 0.91%
  • phoenix.edu
  • gcu.edu
  • asu.edu
  • nu.edu
  • snhu.edu
  • wgu.edu
  • capella.edu
  • devry.edu
  • chamberlain.edu
  • waldenu.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Phoenix.edu’s impression share rose from 7.68% to 9.49%. Gcu.edu ended at 9.04%, while asu.edu saw a decline, finishing at 5.01%.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Education & Training Universities

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Education & Training Universities - Last month
  1. 1
    ASU Online https://asuonline.asu.edu › asu-online › degrees

    Advance Your Education Online — Explore Top-Ranked Programs Offered Online, Taught by Notable Faculty. Learn Online from the Same Faculty Who Teach on Campus. Same Degree as Campus. Nationally Respected.

  2. 2
    Grand Canyon University Online https://explore.gcu.edu › gcu › online

    Affordable Private Education — Get an education on your schedule with flexible online and evening coursework. Find scholarship...

  3. 3
    University of Phoenix https://www.phoenix.edu › online › university

    Online College — University of Phoenix Offers Online Degrees & Courses Aligned To 300+ Occupations. Explore...

  4. 4
    SNHU® - 8 Week Classes | Online Community College https://degrees.snhu.edu › online › college

    Affordable & Career Focused Online Degrees. Transfer Up to 90 Credits. Apply Online Today!

  5. 5
    WGU.edu https://www.wgu.edu

    Western Governors University — Over 60 accredited bachelor's and master's degrees in business, nursing, teaching, and IT. Competency-based education lets you graduate faster while paying less. Learn more!

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online education, ASU Online stands out with its promise of top-ranked programs taught by notable faculty, mirroring on-campus quality. Grand Canyon University emphasizes affordability and flexibility, while University of Phoenix aligns courses with over 300 occupations. SNHU highlights career-focused degrees and credit transfers, and WGU offers competency-based education for accelerated, cost-effective learning.

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