Pet Sitter Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a pet sitter. Pet sitters usually study business, psychology, or biology. 45% of pet sitters hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 6,588 real pet sitter resumes to see exactly what pet sitter education sections show.

The most common colleges for pet sitters are the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania.

There are also many online pet sitter courses to help get the education required to be a pet sitter.

There are certain pet sitter certifications that you should consider. These pet sitter certifications include Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

What education do you need to become a pet sitter?

What degree do you need to be a pet sitter?

The most common degree for pet sitters is bachelor's degree, with 45% of pet sitters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 22% and high school diploma degree at 22%.
  • Bachelor's, 45%
  • High School Diploma, 22%
  • Associate, 22%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a pet sitter?

You should major in business to become a pet sitter. 12% of pet sitters major in business. Other common majors for a pet sitter include psychology and biology.

Most common colleges for pet sitters

Pet sitters often get their degrees at University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for pet sitters in the US based on their resumes.
Pet Sitter Common College
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Percentages
ascdesc
University of Pennsylvania8.67%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro6.63%
University of Central Florida6.12%
Ohio State University5.61%
University of South Florida5.10%

Best majors for pet sitters

Rank
ascdesc
Major
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
1Business12.3%
2Psychology12.1%
3Biology9.7%
4Medical Assisting Services7.3%
5General Studies6.9%

Best colleges for pet sitters

The best colleges for pet sitters are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

A pet sitter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for pet sitters. 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 pet sitters.

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,887

Enrollment

23,202

Website

www.umass.edu

Address

181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,200 per year

Net Price: $21,396 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 59.92%
SAT Average - 1302
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Psychology
Nursing
Liberal Arts

2. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,080

Enrollment

30,795

Website

www.ttu.edu

Address

15th Street and Akron, P. O. Box 4219, MS 2019, Lubbock, TX 79409-5005

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,800 per year

Net Price: $17,033 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 70.67%
SAT Average - 1175
ACT Average - 25
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Liberal Arts
Education
Psychology

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

Website

www.vtc.edu/

Address

1 Main Street, P.O. Box 500, Randolph Center, VT 05061-0500

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,600 per year

Net Price: $20,519 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.21%
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Medical Assisting Services
Business

4. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,748

Enrollment

8,201

Website

www.tamuc.edu/

Address

2600 South Neal, Commerce, TX 75429-3011

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $36,000 per year

Net Price: $12,875 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 34.37%
SAT Average - 1050
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Liberal Arts
Biology
Psychology

5. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,414

Enrollment

11,182

Website

https://www.ndsu.edu

Address

1301 12th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58105-5167

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $45,200 per year

Net Price: $16,062 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.53%
SAT Average - 1170
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Nursing
Business
Psychology
Animal Science

20 best online courses for pet sitters

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Top 10 most affordable universities for pet sitters

The most affordable schools for pet sitters are Post University, texas a&m; university - commerce, and vermont technical college.

If the best universities for pet sitters 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 pet sitters.

1. Post University

Waterbury, CT • Private

In-State Tuition

$16,610

Cost of Attendance

28,866

Website

www.post.edu/

Address

800 Country Club Rd, P.O Box 2540, Waterbury, CT 06723

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $9,857 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 53.01%
Most Popular Majors
Business
Accounting
Criminal Justice
Education
Psychology

2. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,748

Cost of Attendance

21,180

Website

www.tamuc.edu/

Address

2600 South Neal, Commerce, TX 75429-3011

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $36,000 per year

Net Price: $12,875 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 34.37%
SAT Average - 1050
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Liberal Arts
Biology
Psychology

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,108

Cost of Attendance

26,669

Website

www.vtc.edu/

Address

1 Main Street, P.O. Box 500, Randolph Center, VT 05061-0500

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,600 per year

Net Price: $20,519 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.21%
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Medical Assisting Services
Business

4. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,414

Cost of Attendance

20,733

Website

https://www.ndsu.edu

Address

1301 12th Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58105-5167

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $45,200 per year

Net Price: $16,062 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.53%
SAT Average - 1170
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Nursing
Business
Psychology
Animal Science

5. West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,935

Cost of Attendance

20,269

Website

www.wtamu.edu

Address

2501 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79016-0001

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,300 per year

Net Price: $13,185 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.88%
SAT Average - 1090
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Liberal Arts
Nursing
Biology
Psychology

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for pet sitters

The hardest universities for pet sitters to get into are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

Some great schools for pet sitters 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 pet sitters 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. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

60%

SAT Average

1,302

Website

www.umass.edu

Address

181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,200 per year

Net Price: $21,396 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 59.92%
SAT Average - 1302
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Psychology
Nursing
Liberal Arts

2. Otterbein University

Westerville, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

81%

SAT Average

1,191

Website

https://www.otterbein.edu

Address

1 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH 43081

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,200 per year

Net Price: $23,863 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 81.02%
SAT Average - 1191
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Education
Biology
Business
Environmental Science

3. Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT • Private

Admissions Rate

58%

SAT Average

1,119

Website

https://www.rocky.edu

Address

1511 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102-1796

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $34,500 per year

Net Price: $17,874 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 58.45%
SAT Average - 1119
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Education
Business
Accounting
Environmental Science

4. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

75%

SAT Average

1,146

Website

www.francis.edu

Address

PO Box 600, Loretto, PA 15940

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,900 per year

Net Price: $27,221 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 75.38%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Medical Assisting Services
Business
Education
Biology
Nursing

5. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA • Private

Admissions Rate

70%

SAT Average

1,157

Website

www.scad.edu

Address

622 Drayton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $32,700 per year

Net Price: $42,355 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 70.27%
SAT Average - 1157
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Graphic Design
Photography
Fine Arts

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for pet sitters

The easiest schools for pet sitters to get into are Centenary University, suny college of agriculture & technology at morrisville, and averett university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a pet sitter 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 pet sitters.

1. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions Rate

67%

SAT Average

987

Website

www.centenaryuniversity.edu

Address

400 Jefferson St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,700 per year

Net Price: $20,117 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 66.82%
SAT Average - 987
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Liberal Arts
Biology
Criminal Justice

2. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

72%

SAT Average

955

Website

www.morrisville.edu

Address

P.O. Box 901, Morrisville, NY 13408

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $29,800 per year

Net Price: $17,469 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 71.86%
SAT Average - 955
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Liberal Arts
Nursing
Business
Environmental Science
Criminal Justice

3. Averett University

Danville, VA • Private

Admissions Rate

61%

SAT Average

953

Website

https://www.averett.edu

Address

420 W Main St, Danville, VA 24541

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,300 per year

Net Price: $19,749 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 60.61%
SAT Average - 953
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Liberal Arts
Accounting
Criminal Justice
Education
Sociology

4. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN • Private

Admissions Rate

72%

SAT Average

1,027

Website

www.smwc.edu

Address

St Hwy 150, Saint Mary-Of-The-Woods, IN 47876-1099

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $28,300 per year

Net Price: $16,232 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 72.10%
SAT Average - 1027
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Business
Education
Nursing
Psychology
Biology

5. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

75%

SAT Average

1,146

Website

www.francis.edu

Address

PO Box 600, Loretto, PA 15940

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,900 per year

Net Price: $27,221 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 75.38%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Medical Assisting Services
Business
Education
Biology
Nursing

Average pet sitter salary by education level

Pet sitters with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $30,549 annually. With a Associate degree, pet sitters earn a median annual income of $27,199 compared to $23,901 for pet sitters with an High School Diploma degree.
Pet Sitter education level
ascdesc
Pet Sitter salary
ascdesc
High School Diploma or Less$23,901
Bachelor's Degree$30,549
Some College/ Associate Degree$27,199

Pet Sitter 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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