US Education & Training Universities - PPC Market Share Analysis March 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 41.0996364275
58.9003635725
41%

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 41
59
41%

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%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

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 13.1
collegeboard.org 10.17
asu.edu 9.41
wgu.edu 8.42
snhu.edu 5.18
gcu.edu 3.07
capella.edu 2.81
devry.edu 2.76
chamberlain.edu 1.84
nu.edu 1.52
others 41.72
  • phoenix.edu - 13.1%
  • collegeboard.org - 10.17%
  • asu.edu - 9.41%
  • wgu.edu - 8.42%
  • snhu.edu - 5.18%
  • gcu.edu - 3.07%
  • capella.edu - 2.81%
  • devry.edu - 2.76%
  • chamberlain.edu - 1.84%
  • nu.edu - 1.52%
  • others - 41.72%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the education sector’s PPC landscape, ‘phoenix.edu’ leads with 13.10% click share, followed by ‘collegeboard.org’ at 10.17%. ‘Others’ dominate with 41.72%, highlighting diverse competition.

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 asu.edu snhu.edu phoenix.edu devry.edu gcu.edu nu.edu capella.edu wgu.edu liberty.edu chamberlain.edu
2026/03/01 12.85% 6.41% 6.34% 5.07% 4.45% 1.78% 3.09% 4.49% 1.2% 3.08%
2026/03/02 12.14% 6.07% 8.8% 5.64% 4.92% 1.46% 3.66% 3.32% 1.6% 3.27%
2026/03/03 13.85% 6.5% 6.96% 5.33% 4.57% 1.37% 4.04% 2.34% 1.88% 3.02%
2026/03/04 12.93% 7.01% 8.05% 5.61% 4.76% 2.66% 4.31% 2.35% 2.36% 2.36%
2026/03/05 12.83% 6.39% 6.58% 4.17% 4.2% 1.24% 4.23% 3.4% 2.59% 2.68%
2026/03/06 11.8% 5.23% 6.49% 3.95% 4.46% 2.02% 4.55% 4.62% 1.89% 2.29%
2026/03/07 11.36% 5.94% 5.4% 3.57% 4.56% 1.27% 4.63% 4% 1.84% 2.39%
2026/03/08 10.78% 5.55% 6.71% 4.22% 3.98% 1.28% 3.97% 4.25% 1.9% 2.12%
2026/03/09 9.61% 6.03% 7.52% 4.05% 4.99% 2.7% 3.65% 3.07% 1.92% 2.13%
2026/03/10 10.25% 5.78% 8.37% 5.19% 4.26% 1.73% 3.18% 3.81% 2.34% 2.57%
2026/03/11 10.64% 5.62% 8.01% 5.34% 3.64% 1.66% 4.17% 2.76% 2.72% 2.33%
2026/03/12 11.18% 5.97% 7.46% 5.12% 3.48% 2.24% 5.51% 2.23% 2.61% 2.62%
2026/03/13 10.9% 5.79% 7.04% 4.44% 3.17% 1.93% 5.1% 2.01% 2.37% 1.82%
2026/03/14 10.24% 6.19% 5.7% 5.46% 2.69% 2.22% 4.41% 2.83% 1.62% 1.7%
2026/03/15 9.86% 6.6% 5.37% 3.95% 2.44% 2.32% 5.74% 2.93% 1.92% 1.74%
2026/03/16 10.74% 5.78% 8.03% 4.26% 3.53% 2.22% 5.75% 1.96% 2.21% 1.59%
2026/03/17 11.01% 6.7% 6.59% 6.33% 3.47% 2.87% 4.26% 1.74% 2.25% 1.8%
2026/03/18 11.08% 7.14% 6.85% 5.48% 4.16% 2.02% 4.42% 2.32% 2.13% 1.71%
2026/03/19 11.77% 7.47% 7.8% 5.22% 3.98% 2.47% 3.34% 2.36% 1.79% 1.95%
2026/03/20 11.55% 7.7% 6.5% 4.25% 4.09% 2.06% 3.2% 2.62% 1.81% 1.32%
2026/03/21 12.37% 6.89% 4.65% 3.37% 4.31% 1.99% 3.98% 2.61% 1.45% 1.15%
2026/03/22 11.52% 6.43% 4.56% 4.88% 3.92% 1.9% 3.6% 2.5% 1.68% 1.45%
2026/03/23 12.33% 6.93% 7.2% 3.81% 3.84% 1.75% 3.68% 2.45% 2.09% 1.63%
2026/03/24 11.82% 7% 7.04% 5.78% 4.32% 1.88% 3.55% 2.39% 2.28% 2.35%
2026/03/25 12.47% 7.77% 6.99% 5.29% 4.29% 1.9% 4.1% 2.06% 1.93% 2.25%
2026/03/26 11.95% 8.86% 7.93% 3.93% 4.54% 1.48% 3.97% 2.71% 1.7% 1.89%
2026/03/27 12.06% 8.14% 7.07% 3.82% 4.48% 1.45% 4.37% 2.84% 1.52% 1.36%
2026/03/28 11.41% 7.38% 6.47% 2.59% 4.64% 2.58% 4.24% 3.37% 1.23% 1.32%
2026/03/29 10.73% 6.95% 7.44% 3.34% 4.34% 2.05% 3.27% 3.19% 1.25% 1.22%
2026/03/30 10.47% 7.57% 7.18% 4.74% 3.75% 2.07% 3.65% 2.44% 1.49% 1.35%
2026/03/31 11.44% 8.69% 6.26% 5.3% 2.9% 2.7% 2.49% 2.32% 1.84% 1.83%
  • asu.edu
  • snhu.edu
  • phoenix.edu
  • devry.edu
  • gcu.edu
  • nu.edu
  • capella.edu
  • wgu.edu
  • liberty.edu
  • chamberlain.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In March 2026, ASU.edu led with fluctuating spend shares, peaking early and stabilizing mid-month. SNHU.edu and Phoenix.edu showed consistent growth, while Devry.edu and GCU.edu experienced declines. The month concluded with ASU.edu maintaining dominance.

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
2026/03/01 948
2026/03/02 968
2026/03/03 971
2026/03/04 980
2026/03/05 979
2026/03/06 974
2026/03/07 969
2026/03/08 972
2026/03/09 995
2026/03/10 969
2026/03/11 942
2026/03/12 960
2026/03/13 936
2026/03/14 953
2026/03/15 950
2026/03/16 971
2026/03/17 944
2026/03/18 919
2026/03/19 944
2026/03/20 947
2026/03/21 933
2026/03/22 955
2026/03/23 974
2026/03/24 915
2026/03/25 951
2026/03/26 922
2026/03/27 944
2026/03/28 962
2026/03/29 942
2026/03/30 968
2026/03/31 927

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

March saw fluctuating advertiser numbers, peaking at 995 on March 9. The month concluded with 927 advertisers, reflecting a dynamic 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
snhu.edu 1.05%
asu.edu 0.5%
gcu.edu 0.41%
fscj.edu 0.3%
csuglobal.edu 0.24%
chamberlain.edu -0.21%
waldenu.edu -0.23%
devry.edu -0.28%
rasmussen.edu -0.39%
capella.edu -0.4%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the past month, snhu.edu surged with a 1.05% click share increase, while capella.edu faced a -0.4% decline.

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 asu.edu phoenix.edu snhu.edu devry.edu collegeboard.org wgu.edu rasmussen.edu csuglobal.edu capella.edu gcu.edu
2026/03/01 9.05% 7.18% 5.19% 5.28% 1.57% 5.05% 1.76% 2.55% 2.65% 4.17%
2026/03/02 8.61% 10.15% 4.87% 5.62% 1.26% 4.04% 2.53% 1.88% 2.65% 4.7%
2026/03/03 10.31% 8.45% 5.21% 5.25% 1.36% 3% 2.76% 2.01% 3.16% 4.57%
2026/03/04 9.38% 9.94% 5.54% 5.64% 1.96% 3.14% 2.36% 2.19% 3.19% 4.52%
2026/03/05 9.18% 7.77% 4.62% 4.13% 1.67% 4.34% 3.02% 1.73% 3.2% 4.08%
2026/03/06 8.69% 7.78% 4.06% 4.12% 1.6% 5.38% 3.04% 1.6% 3.89% 4.05%
2026/03/07 8.18% 6.76% 4.36% 3.78% 1.39% 4.61% 2.38% 2.38% 3.75% 4.2%
2026/03/08 7.81% 8.18% 4.23% 4.32% 1.75% 4.74% 3.12% 2.11% 3.04% 3.52%
2026/03/09 6.83% 8.83% 4.55% 4.29% 1.52% 3.92% 2.4% 2.09% 3.03% 5.44%
2026/03/10 7% 9.72% 4.43% 5.26% 1.93% 4.46% 3.19% 1.92% 2.46% 4.01%
2026/03/11 7.76% 9.21% 4.5% 5.76% 1.23% 3.44% 2.35% 1.89% 3.37% 3.56%
2026/03/12 8.15% 8.67% 4.44% 5.05% 2.68% 2.98% 2.87% 2.34% 4.59% 3.24%
2026/03/13 7.63% 8.33% 4.1% 4.56% 2.72% 2.85% 2.34% 2.12% 4.37% 2.95%
2026/03/14 7.36% 6.31% 4.59% 5.58% 3.31% 3.53% 2.89% 2.44% 3.61% 2.84%
2026/03/15 6.82% 6.3% 4.87% 4.21% 2.42% 3.36% 2.9% 2.67% 5.3% 1.97%
2026/03/16 7.54% 9.59% 4.39% 4.39% 2.25% 2.5% 3.1% 2.94% 4.63% 3.8%
2026/03/17 7.6% 7.71% 5.09% 6.5% 2.64% 2.47% 2.32% 2.79% 3.52% 3.54%
2026/03/18 7.66% 8.74% 5.74% 5.58% 1.97% 3.18% 2.09% 2.05% 3.14% 4.25%
2026/03/19 8.51% 9.22% 5.99% 5.16% 2.03% 2.81% 3.16% 2.44% 2.34% 4.14%
2026/03/20 8.1% 7.99% 6.53% 4.23% 0.82% 3.01% 2.23% 2.54% 2.45% 3.91%
2026/03/21 8.53% 5.73% 5.69% 3.34% 2.51% 3.16% 2.5% 3.11% 2.96% 3.87%
2026/03/22 8.08% 5.43% 5.41% 4.86% 1.72% 3.44% 1.96% 3.12% 2.9% 4.1%
2026/03/23 8.8% 8.5% 5.77% 3.87% 1.01% 3.25% 2.54% 2.12% 3.12% 3.94%
2026/03/24 8.48% 8.43% 5.9% 5.65% 2.84% 3.42% 1.88% 3.06% 2.57% 4.37%
2026/03/25 9.02% 8.58% 6.45% 5.75% 2.59% 2.64% 1.82% 1.95% 3.07% 3.94%
2026/03/26 8.38% 9.79% 7.14% 4.09% 2.35% 3.78% 1.7% 3.15% 3.09% 4.75%
2026/03/27 8.68% 8.57% 7% 3.74% 1.5% 3.18% 1.57% 3.26% 3.47% 4.48%
2026/03/28 7.97% 8.04% 6.2% 2.4% 2.3% 4.1% 1.16% 3.84% 3.46% 4.79%
2026/03/29 7.41% 9.17% 5.52% 3.17% 2.37% 3.74% 1.27% 3.57% 2.19% 4.33%
2026/03/30 7.3% 8.4% 6.48% 4.74% 1.94% 3.24% 1.47% 1.99% 2.91% 3.72%
2026/03/31 7.84% 7.77% 6.72% 5.26% 3.79% 2.95% 2.65% 2.45% 2.41% 1.95%
  • asu.edu
  • phoenix.edu
  • snhu.edu
  • devry.edu
  • collegeboard.org
  • wgu.edu
  • rasmussen.edu
  • csuglobal.edu
  • capella.edu
  • gcu.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In March 2026, ASU.edu’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 10.31% on March 3rd, then declining to 7.84% by month’s end. Phoenix.edu saw a high of 10.15% early, stabilizing at 7.77%. SNHU.edu and Devry.edu showed modest gains, while Collegeboard.org ended strong at 3.79%.

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
    Official College Board® SAT | SAT Registration is Open https://satsuite.collegeboard.org › sat › registration

    Start Working Toward Your Best Score To Show Colleges You're A Well-Qualified Applicant. SAT Is An Important Part Of Your College App Process ...

  2. 2
    Grand Canyon University Online | Affordable Private Education https://explore.gcu.edu › gcu › online

    Get an education on your schedule with flexible online and evening coursework. Find scholarship...

  3. 3
    University of Phoenix https://www.phoenix.edu

    Online College — University of Phoenix Offers Online Degrees & Courses Aligned To 300+ Occupations. Explore Tuition-Saving Opportunities At Our Accredited Online College!

  4. 4
    SNHU® - Associate Degrees | Accelerated 8 Week Terms https://degrees.snhu.edu › online › 2yr-degree

    Affordable & Career-Focused Online Degrees. Start Your Journey Today! No Matter the Path, SNHU® is Here to Help Along Your Journey.

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

    Online Degree Programs — Advance based on what you already know. Graduate faster with our competency-based model. Respected by employers, designed for you. Get a degree in...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online education, College Board’s SAT registration ad emphasizes the importance of the SAT in college applications. Grand Canyon University and University of Phoenix highlight flexible, affordable online education. SNHU and WGU focus on career-oriented, accelerated learning paths, appealing to diverse student needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Success Stories

Get the full picture

See this data specific to your brand performance

The data on this page is just a sample of the billions of data points we hold at Adthena. The insights generated by Ask Arlo, leverage real-time GenAI to answer questions about your search data.

Our search consultants can introduce you to Whole Market View data that is specific to your organization, based on the size of the relevant search term and competitor universe, and the locations that you need monitoring.

Related reports