The Universities Receiving The Most Online Attention

Choosing a college today can feel a bit overwhelming, with loads of options and endless amounts of information about each online.

During a college search, schools’ stats, reviews, and hype can pull your attention every which way. If you’re curious which schools are getting the most online attention, a new study from Essay Grader AI did the math and found the results. The firm looked at 12 months of Google Keyword Planner data (May 2024–April 2025) for every large U.S. public university offering 4‑year bachelor’s degrees.

“These search patterns provide valuable insights into what prospective students are looking for in higher education… The strong interest in universities across Florida and Texas reflects the growing appeal of these regions for education,” says Chan Yerneni, CEO of Essay Grader AI.

At the top of the list sits the University of Florida – a major frontrunner when it comes to search volume. UF rakes in 419,550 average monthly searches, leaving its nearest competitor nearly 80,000 searches behind. Students seem especially drawn to UF’s Law program, which pulls in more than 4,100 searches on its own.

Right behind the University of Florida is the University of Houston, earning 341,508 monthly searches, boosted by major curiosity in its Optometry program. The University of Arizona landed in third for most searches, with 281,132 searches, showing a similar trend to the No. 1 school. This school’s Law program is also its most‑searched academic offering.

The study also identifies which subjects Americans search for most. Nursing leads by a mile with 287,621 monthly searches, followed by Computer Science at 110,515 and Social Work at 90,603. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment projections, these three are all among the fastest‑growing and most stable career fields in the country.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.