US Education & Training Universities - PPC Market Share Analysis September 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 62.7000687486
37.2999312514
62%

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 40
60
40%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 16%
Transactional 1%
Navigational 7%
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
collegeboard.org 23.89
phoenix.edu 17.59
asu.edu 5.56
wgu.edu 5.25
capella.edu 3.77
snhu.edu 3.39
gcu.edu 2.91
chamberlain.edu 2.02
waldenu.edu 1.18
devry.edu 1.17
others 33.27
  • collegeboard.org - 23.89%
  • phoenix.edu - 17.59%
  • asu.edu - 5.56%
  • wgu.edu - 5.25%
  • capella.edu - 3.77%
  • snhu.edu - 3.39%
  • gcu.edu - 2.91%
  • chamberlain.edu - 2.02%
  • waldenu.edu - 1.18%
  • devry.edu - 1.17%
  • others - 33.27%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the education sector’s PPC landscape, CollegeBoard.org leads with 23.89% click share, followed by Phoenix.edu at 17.59%. ASU.edu and WGU.edu trail behind, while ‘others’ collectively hold 33.27%.

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 asu.edu capella.edu snhu.edu chamberlain.edu gcu.edu waldenu.edu devry.edu wgu.edu nu.edu
2026/09/01 11.64% 9.72% 5.83% 6.34% 2.86% 4.17% 2.69% 1.83% 2.79% 1.17%
2026/09/02 10.37% 11.16% 6.84% 5.25% 3.11% 3.43% 1.98% 2.18% 3.03% 1.48%
2026/09/03 8.95% 10.39% 7.29% 5.73% 3.24% 3.64% 5.39% 2.4% 2.7% 1.45%
2026/09/04 9.44% 10.21% 7.39% 6.17% 3.59% 3.37% 1.8% 2.98% 3.6% 1.86%
2026/09/05 8.91% 10.31% 7.57% 6.67% 4.18% 4.12% 1.07% 1.5% 5.04% 1.82%
2026/09/06 9.61% 9.47% 8.54% 7% 4.31% 3.48% 1.3% 2.02% 4.36% 1.85%
2026/09/07 9.54% 10.04% 9.18% 6.33% 4.15% 4.1% 2.06% 2.2% 3.9% 2%
2026/09/08 11.43% 9.94% 8.33% 5.49% 3.64% 3.99% 2.08% 1.66% 3.39% 1.88%
2026/09/09 11.83% 8.84% 8.15% 5.32% 3.27% 4.06% 1.64% 2.08% 3.19% 1.68%
2026/09/10 10.87% 9.15% 8.88% 5.25% 3.73% 3.87% 1.86% 2.04% 2.93% 1.73%
2026/09/11 11.42% 8.69% 8.82% 5.13% 4.23% 3.44% 1.77% 1.93% 3.08% 1.76%
2026/09/12 9.78% 7.92% 7.28% 5.33% 4.07% 3.05% 1.24% 1.31% 3.66% 1.38%
2026/09/13 11.3% 7.8% 7.15% 4.75% 3.86% 3.18% 1.63% 1.52% 3.31% 1.69%
2026/09/14 12.96% 7.41% 6.03% 4.97% 3.79% 2.95% 1.98% 1.21% 2.65% 1.37%
2026/09/15 12.95% 8.47% 7.58% 5.38% 4.2% 3.69% 2.98% 1.88% 2.53% 1.85%
2026/09/16 12.45% 9.06% 7.79% 5.54% 3.99% 3.59% 4.14% 2.59% 2.49% 2.35%
2026/09/17 12.86% 8.98% 7.76% 5.39% 4.36% 3.3% 3.76% 2.29% 1.96% 2.36%
2026/09/18 12.45% 9.09% 7.1% 4.91% 3.96% 3.5% 3.5% 1.96% 2.23% 2.14%
2026/09/19 12.11% 8.35% 7.65% 5.23% 4.12% 3.67% 2.95% 1.84% 2.51% 2.29%
2026/09/20 10.22% 8.39% 7.88% 4.98% 3.66% 3.69% 2.72% 2.21% 2.43% 2.6%
2026/09/21 10.21% 8.35% 8.27% 4.86% 3.35% 3.99% 3.19% 2.51% 2.44% 2.92%
2026/09/22 10.38% 7.33% 7.65% 5.15% 4.02% 3.48% 3.1% 2.16% 2.32% 2.58%
2026/09/23 11.79% 7.51% 7.25% 5.68% 3.33% 3.5% 3.17% 2.13% 2.14% 2.25%
2026/09/24 9.84% 6.3% 6.08% 5.72% 3.65% 3.34% 4.26% 2.83% 2.77% 1.69%
2026/09/25 11.85% 7.11% 7.04% 5.23% 4.6% 3.04% 3.35% 2.85% 2.93% 1.82%
2026/09/26 10.4% 7.1% 7.36% 5.62% 4.67% 3.84% 2.51% 2.53% 3.64% 2.18%
2026/09/27 11.07% 6.94% 8.11% 4.82% 4.96% 3.24% 2.76% 2.3% 3.18% 2.45%
2026/09/28 11.66% 7.14% 7.34% 5.12% 4.57% 3.41% 2.78% 2.71% 2.49% 1.58%
2026/09/29 13.83% 6.28% 6.96% 4.87% 4.57% 3.15% 3.24% 2.37% 2.1% 1.55%
2026/09/30 12.59% 7.46% 7.05% 4.98% 4.8% 3.8% 3.67% 2.99% 1.72% 1.55%
  • phoenix.edu
  • asu.edu
  • capella.edu
  • snhu.edu
  • chamberlain.edu
  • gcu.edu
  • waldenu.edu
  • devry.edu
  • wgu.edu
  • nu.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, phoenix.edu led with fluctuating spend shares, peaking at 13.83% on the 29th. ASU’s share declined steadily, while capella.edu showed a consistent mid-month rise. SNHU and chamberlain.edu maintained moderate shares, with chamberlain.edu peaking at 4.96% on the 27th. GCU and waldenu.edu had varied trends, with waldenu.edu peaking early at 5.39% on the 3rd. Devry.edu and wgu.edu had lower shares, with wgu.edu dropping to 1.72% by month’s end. NU.edu remained stable, ending at 1.55%.

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
2026/09/01 899
2026/09/02 959
2026/09/03 1003
2026/09/04 1026
2026/09/05 1039
2026/09/06 1057
2026/09/07 1069
2026/09/08 1053
2026/09/09 1061
2026/09/10 1058
2026/09/11 1020
2026/09/12 1026
2026/09/13 1036
2026/09/14 960
2026/09/15 1012
2026/09/16 1001
2026/09/17 1011
2026/09/18 1001
2026/09/19 1029
2026/09/20 1050
2026/09/21 1041
2026/09/22 1039
2026/09/23 1020
2026/09/24 1035
2026/09/25 1009
2026/09/26 1005
2026/09/27 984
2026/09/28 974
2026/09/29 1009
2026/09/30 988

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September saw a dynamic shift in distinct advertisers, starting at 899 and peaking at 1,069 on the 7th. The month concluded with 988 advertisers, reflecting a vibrant competitive 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
phoenix.edu 2.67%
collegeboard.org 1.57%
waldenu.edu 0.32%
utah.edu 0.25%
fscj.edu 0.24%
arizona.edu -0.23%
snhu.edu -0.34%
capella.edu -0.52%
asu.edu -0.78%
wgu.edu -1.79%

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Phoenix.edu soared with a 2.67% click share increase, while wgu.edu faced a 1.79% 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 phoenix.edu capella.edu asu.edu collegeboard.org snhu.edu gcu.edu waldenu.edu chamberlain.edu devry.edu wgu.edu
2026/09/01 11.5% 6.48% 7.04% 7.29% 3.62% 4.14% 3.54% 1.88% 2.06% 3.13%
2026/09/02 10.24% 6.73% 8.61% 7.02% 3.11% 3.19% 1.49% 2.13% 2.39% 3.05%
2026/09/03 8.8% 7.67% 7.85% 4.16% 3.66% 3.24% 5.04% 2.38% 3.01% 2.47%
2026/09/04 8.94% 6.3% 7.65% 3.2% 4.18% 3.2% 1.83% 2.7% 3.68% 3.16%
2026/09/05 8.61% 6.88% 7.69% 4.43% 4.67% 3.57% 0.8% 2.98% 1.47% 4.36%
2026/09/06 9.53% 8.15% 6.61% 3.26% 5.06% 2.96% 1.14% 2.94% 2.23% 4.4%
2026/09/07 9.29% 8.33% 7.26% 3.1% 4.93% 3.96% 1.83% 2.97% 2.86% 3.54%
2026/09/08 11.14% 7.62% 7.16% 4.32% 3.84% 3.58% 2.15% 2.73% 2.04% 3.11%
2026/09/09 11.29% 7.25% 6.07% 7.38% 3.47% 3.72% 1.18% 2.25% 2.16% 3.05%
2026/09/10 10.77% 8.34% 6.54% 6.99% 3.58% 3.48% 2.1% 2.68% 2.25% 2.96%
2026/09/11 11.48% 7.8% 6.11% 7.46% 3.43% 3.04% 1.62% 3.07% 2.25% 3.4%
2026/09/12 9.8% 6.57% 5.74% 6.89% 3.48% 2.6% 1.27% 2.82% 1.65% 3.84%
2026/09/13 10.55% 6.66% 5.5% 6.25% 2.78% 3.13% 2.15% 2.66% 1.68% 3.67%
2026/09/14 12.12% 5.79% 5.13% 8.47% 3.03% 2.59% 3.02% 2.56% 1.63% 3.1%
2026/09/15 13.5% 6.49% 6.05% 4.91% 3.49% 3.18% 2.83% 3% 2.11% 2.83%
2026/09/16 13.17% 6.28% 6.31% 4.69% 4.35% 3.49% 3.95% 2.74% 2.83% 2.6%
2026/09/17 13.41% 6.77% 6.44% 5.08% 3.88% 3% 3.51% 3.06% 2.32% 2.54%
2026/09/18 13.07% 5.37% 6.24% 6.98% 3.48% 3.09% 3.35% 2.84% 2.24% 2.48%
2026/09/19 12.62% 5.96% 5.83% 5.87% 3.67% 3.29% 2.8% 2.92% 1.99% 2.96%
2026/09/20 11% 6.14% 5.77% 5.76% 3.63% 3.38% 3.06% 2.56% 2.52% 2.59%
2026/09/21 11.85% 6.99% 5.98% 5.44% 3.55% 3.76% 2.77% 2.28% 2.94% 2.58%
2026/09/22 11.22% 6.21% 5.34% 6.51% 3.4% 2.99% 3.33% 2.86% 2.22% 2.4%
2026/09/23 12.42% 5.68% 5.32% 7.14% 3.98% 3.17% 3.3% 2.33% 2.11% 2.08%
2026/09/24 10.5% 5.08% 4.62% 4.32% 3.79% 3.03% 4.27% 2.5% 2.95% 2.42%
2026/09/25 12.26% 5.53% 5.22% 7.56% 3.31% 2.48% 3.09% 2.97% 2.8% 2.85%
2026/09/26 11.9% 5.75% 5.2% 5.51% 3.75% 3.17% 2.04% 3.42% 2.65% 3.55%
2026/09/27 12.53% 6.6% 5.18% 3.72% 3.22% 2.92% 3% 3.28% 2.44% 3.02%
2026/09/28 12.52% 6.57% 5.32% 5.65% 3.11% 3.07% 2.79% 3.18% 2.87% 2.33%
2026/09/29 14.34% 6.49% 4.39% 7.88% 2.87% 2.59% 2.47% 3.03% 2.5% 1.95%
2026/09/30 12.83% 6.18% 5.62% 4.73% 3.44% 3.41% 3.29% 3.26% 2.91% 1.71%
  • phoenix.edu
  • capella.edu
  • asu.edu
  • collegeboard.org
  • snhu.edu
  • gcu.edu
  • waldenu.edu
  • chamberlain.edu
  • devry.edu
  • wgu.edu

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Phoenix.edu’s impression share rose from 11.5% to 12.83% in September, peaking at 14.34% on the 29th. Capella.edu fluctuated, ending at 6.18%. Asu.edu’s share decreased, finishing at 5.62%. Collegeboard.org saw volatility, closing at 4.73%. Snhu.edu’s share remained stable, ending at 3.44%. Gcu.edu’s share varied, closing at 3.41%. Waldenu.edu’s share increased, finishing at 3.29%. Chamberlain.edu’s share rose, ending at 3.26%. Devry.edu’s share fluctuated, closing at 2.91%. Wgu.edu’s share decreased, finishing at 1.71%.

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
    Accredited Online University | Flexible Online Programs https://www.capella.edu

    Earn Your Degree Online, On Demand, And On Your Terms At Capella University. Get Started.

  2. 2
    Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, Arizona https://explore.gcu.edu › gcu › online

    Earn an affordable private education online or on campus with GCU. Advance your skills through...

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

    Apply Online — Don't Let Prior Credits or Relevant Life Experiences Go To Waste With Our PLA. Let Us Assess Your Training or Life Experience and You Could Earn College Credits.

  4. 4
    SNHU® - Southern NH University https://degrees.snhu.edu › online

    See Yourself Succeed at SNHU — Learn More & Apply 100% Online Now! Offering One of the Lowest Online Tuition Rates in the Nation. Start Your Journey at SNHU®. Your Degree, At Your Pace.

  5. 5
    The University of Utah - An Affordable Path To Success https://impact.utah.edu

    Discover a unique educational experience. Immerse yourself in nature and innovation.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online education, Capella University stands out with its promise of flexibility and personalized learning. Grand Canyon University emphasizes affordability and skill advancement, while the University of Phoenix highlights credit for life experiences. SNHU offers low tuition rates and self-paced learning, and the University of Utah combines affordability with a unique educational experience.

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