collageOne of the largest dimensions of business, marketing is an irreplaceable tool for creating, communicating, and delivering ideas and products to consumers, clients, and communities. Whether engaging in grassroots efforts, digital media, or influence campaigns, marketing has the power to influence society. If you enjoy working with people and unleashing your creativity, marketing may be the right field for you.
Many MBA programs offer students the opportunity to pursue a concentration in marketing. Here, you’ll learn how to communicate with a variety of people while also studying past marketing campaigns to understand what works and what doesn’t. You’ll also hone your creative chops, and learn how to create meaningful and successful marketing plans for many different types of clients. A master’s degree in marketing ensures that you’ll be able to pursue jobs with higher salaries and more advancement opportunities than positions available to students with just a bachelor’s degree.
Graduates with an online master’s in marketing can work in a variety of fields. Nearly every company in the world needs marketing help, and you can find work in pretty much any industry. An online master’s in marketing is also a great option if you’re looking for job security and financial independence: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will grow by 9% over the next several years, and that marketing managers currently earn an average annual salary of nearly $125,000.
Below, we’ve ranked the most affordable online master’s in marketing degrees in the country. These schools offer an academically rigorous program at an affordable price, and prepare graduates for a range of careers without pushing them into severe debt. If you’re considering earning a master’s in marketing online, be sure to take a look at these top schools.
| 1 | Fort Hays State University | VALUESCORE9.08 | AVERAGE TUITION$3,205PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS87NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS1Set halfway between Kansas City and Denver in the small community of Hays, Fort Hays State is one of the fastest-growing universities in Kansas. Much of this growth has been thanks to the school’s online campus — Fort Hays Virtual College — which now enrolls almost twice as many students as the brick and mortar school. Nationally ranked for quality and value, the Virtual College offers more than forty, fully-accredited degree programs aimed at adult learners.The university’s affordable online MBA in marketing is a 34-hour program based around Fort Hays’ traditional master’s of business administration curriculum. Marketing is one of 11 specialties available to students, complementing the required 25 credits in core business classes. The marketing concentration is built around three requisite classes — consumer behavior, marketing research, and strategic electronic marketing — and there are more marketing courses in the core coursework. Full-time students can earn their degrees in as little as 18 months, though it’s typical for working professionals to take six credit hours per semester and complete the program in about three years. Web-based students have access to an array of services, from the Online Learning Commons, where they can exchange information, to the Forsyth Library, which will mail books, photocopy articles, and provide other assistance to remote students. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE | |
| 2 | Texas A & M University-Commerce | VALUESCORE8.85 | AVERAGE TUITION$3,630PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS78NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS2Since its founding in 1889, Texas A&M Commerce has been broadening its outreach. Established in Cooper, Texas, the school moved to its present location in Commerce just a few years later and has since added locations in Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Mesquite, Midlothian, and Rockwell. Today, it’s the fifth-largest university in the Texas A&M system with 12,000 students, and its educational opportunities are almost boundless thanks to its eCollege on the world-wide web. The virtual campus allows students to pursue many degrees, from the baccalaureate to the doctoral level, either entirely online or 50% online.The affordable master’s of science in marketing program is fully accredited and can be earned entirely online. The 30-credit-hour curriculum explores best practices in modern marketing, from business to business to international advertising. Eight core classes are required — in management, finance, and marketing — as well as 6 hours of electives, and they are offered on the school’s traditional semester schedule. Students in the online master in marketing program have access to tech support, career services, the library, and even the bookstore. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE | |
| 3 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | VALUESCORE8.37 | AVERAGE TUITION$4,139PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS64NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS1Based in the small city of Durant, not far from the Texas border, Southeastern or “SE” is a public university with a student body of 4,000. Established as a teacher’s college in 1909, the school now offers dozens of degree programs in a wide array of disciplines, from accounting to sociology. It also has a variety of cheap online MBA programs, some of them in unique fields like Native American leadership and aerospace logistics. SE believes so strongly in affordability that it puts the cost of an online MBA in bold type on the front page of its virtual campus. (Currently under $12,000 — or $330 per credit hour.)The school’s online MBA in marketing program takes an integrated approach to analyzing consumer behavior. The 36-credit-hour curriculum explores accounting, finance, economics, research, data analysis, behavioral management, and information systems; the marketing component includes two required, seven-week classes — consumer behavior and social media marketing. For flexibility, the master’s of business administration – marketing program has six start dates spread across the calendar year, and students can earn their degrees in as little as twelve months. Distance learners have access to the school’s Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library, tech support, and services like online tutoring. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE | |
| 4 | University of South Dakota | VALUESCORE8.22 | AVERAGE TUITION$5,264PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS39NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS1Known as “USD,” the University of South Dakota is both the flagship of the state’s system of higher education and the oldest university in the state. Based in the southeastern city of Vermillion, on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, the school has about 10,000 students, about a quarter of whom are pursuing graduate degrees. More than 40 degree programs are now offered entirely online.The affordable online MBA offered by USD’s Beacom School of Business has won national rankings for excellence, and it’s among the few schools worldwide to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. (Less than 5% of business schools have been granted that honor.) The university’s MBA – marketing is one of a handful of MBA specializations offered by Beacom. Based around the school’s traditional MBA, designed to create leaders for business, industry, and government, the 36-credit program focuses on consumer trends, new product development, and branding in today’s dynamic market. Three classes comprise the marketing concentration, including advanced consumer behavior. An undergraduate degree in business — or 21 credits of requisite business courses — are required to get started in the program. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE | |
| 5 | University of Houston-Victoria | VALUESCORE8.16 | AVERAGE TUITION$5,574PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS91NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS1Part of the four-school University of Houston system, UHV is set in the small city of Victoria, about thirty miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico and two hours from Houston. The university is known for its affordability, small class sizes, and excellence in business education. More than 4,200 students pursue degrees in seventy fields on the main campus in Victoria and at a satellite center in Katy. Over 115 degrees and certificates can be completed entirely online.UHV’s School of Business Administration offers a variety of affordable online MBA degree programs. Both the global master of business administration and the strategic master of business administration have marketing concentrations. Other areas of specialty include accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, economic development, management, HR, and international business. Students take 12 hours of classes in their specialty field in addition to the 30-36 credit hours needed for the degree; those without an undergrad degree in business are required to take additional credits. The marketing concentration delves deep into marketing research, consumer behavior, marketing communications, advertising, and e-commerce. A graduate certificate in marketing management is also an option at UHV, and students can take courses at any of the other University of Houston schools through the Student Pathways program. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE | |
| 6 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | VALUESCORE7.69 | ||
| 7 | Louisiana Tech University | VALUESCORE7.44 | ||
| 8 | University of North Texas | VALUESCORE7.37 | ||
| 9 | Ashland University | VALUESCORE7.12 | ||
| 10 | Gardner-Webb University | VALUESCORE7.07 | ||
| 11 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | VALUESCORE6.92 | ||
| 12 | Bryan College-Dayton | VALUESCORE6.92 | ||
| 13 | University of South Florida-St Petersburg | VALUESCORE6.91 | ||
| 14 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | VALUESCORE6.73 | ||
| 15 | Wilmington University | VALUESCORE6.66 | ||
| 16 | King University | VALUESCORE6.58 | ||
| 17 | Tennessee Technological University | VALUESCORE6.52 | ||
| 18 | Saint Leo University | VALUESCORE6.46 | ||
| 19 | Brenau University | VALUESCORE6.36 | ||
| 20 | Concordia University-Ann Arbor | VALUESCORE6.28 | ||
| 21 | SUNY Empire State College | VALUESCORE6.28 | ||
| 22 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | VALUESCORE6.24 | ||
| 23 | University of Florida | VALUESCORE6.16 | ||
| 24 | Morgan State University | VALUESCORE6.07 | ||
| 25 | Rivier University | VALUESCORE6.04 | ||
| 26 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | VALUESCORE5.95 | ||
| 27 | West Virginia University | VALUESCORE5.87 | ||
| 28 | Brandman University | VALUESCORE5.51 | ||
| 29 | Regis University | VALUESCORE5.51 | ||
| 30 | Ottawa University-Online | VALUESCORE5.44 | ||
| 31 | University of Saint Mary | VALUESCORE5.44 | ||
| 32 | New England College | VALUESCORE5.28 | ||
| 33 | Central Michigan University | VALUESCORE5.26 | ||
| 34 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | VALUESCORE5.22 | ||
| 35 | Oklahoma Christian University | VALUESCORE5.20 | ||
| 36 | Endicott College | VALUESCORE5.19 | ||
| 37 | University of the Southwest | VALUESCORE5.14 | ||
| 38 | Thomas Edison State University | VALUESCORE5.08 | ||
| 39 | Concordia University-Chicago | VALUESCORE5.01 | ||
| 40 | The University of Alabama | VALUESCORE4.97 | ||
| 41 | Washington State University | VALUESCORE4.80 | ||
| 42 | Nyack College | VALUESCORE4.66 | ||
| 43 | Hope International University | VALUESCORE4.66 | ||
| 44 | Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs | VALUESCORE4.53 | ||
| 45 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | VALUESCORE4.51 |
What Will I Learn in My Online Master’s in Marketing Program?
SAMPLE COURSES
Master’s in marketing online programs teach skills in market research, analysis, communication, organization, project and people management, and decision-making. Programs usually require students to complete a professional internship or capstone project based on a real-world marketing problem. Typical courses include:
- Advertising and promotion management:Advertising and promotion management professionals focus on maximizing the effectiveness of a firm’s communication strategy through developing competitive marketing strategies and persuasive communications. Topics include selecting target audiences, setting program objectives, and choosing appropriate media vehicles for delivery.
- Brand management:Learners studying brand management focus on case analysis and literature review to explore theories and models of branding, and how to implement them strategically. Students learn how to create, build, enhance, measure, and manage brand equity.
- Market research:Market research courses address tools and methods for gathering information about customers and competitors, including data sources and questionnaire designs. Students learn to formulate relevant marketing questions, search for appropriate methodologies, and make effective research-based decisions.
- Consumer behavior:Courses focused on consumer behavior investigate psychological, anthropological, economic, and sociological influences on the behavior of consumers in a variety of example markets. Students apply this knowledge to produce effective marketing strategy design.
CONCENTRATIONS
Online MBA in marketing programs offer several specialty areas of study to best suit your career path. Typical concentrations include:
- Digital marketing and advertising:This concentration focuses on building effective strategic and analytical skills to guide company communication strategies in the digital world through media technology, use of social media platforms, and marketing promotions.
- Project management:Project management addresses managing projects and creative teams locally and globally. Topics include building leadership skills, ensuring proper stewardship of time and resources, consumer behavior, critical thinking, and legal and ethical issues in marketing.
- Public relations:Public relations focuses on strategies for developing, managing, and analyzing an organization’s identity and reputation through mass media outlets, social media platforms, and use of influence and persuasive communication with target audiences.
- Marketing analytics:Marketing analytics explores modeling, market testing, optimization, and extracting insights from data collected using statistical analysis, predictive analytics, and customer databases.
- Content marketing:Content marketing combines content creation and strategy in text, video, audio, and web formats with development of skills in multi-platform content to build and strengthen connections between consumers and brands.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in Marketing Graduates
MASTER’S IN MARKETING CAREERS
Marketing professionals research and analyze consumer data, and apply the insights they gain to marketing strategies. Their work is needed across a variety of business contexts. Typical career paths include market research analysis, public relations, digital media marketing, advertising and sales management, project management, and consultancy. Marketers rely on creativity, persistence, excellent analytical skills, and confident decision-making to advance their careers. Good marketing professionals tend to excel in focused work habits, persuasive communication skills, and the ability to build collaborative working relationships. An interest in keeping up to date on the latest trends in target markets is also important.
Market Research Analyst
$62,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; top positions may require a master’sDegree Required
Market research analysts are responsible for understanding and documenting market conditions to help companies figure out who their consumers are, what they want, and what prices they will pay. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, they interpret data, formulate reports, and make recommendations based on research results. A master’s degree may be required for top positions.
Projected Growth Rate 19%
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
$127,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; master’s favored by many employersDegree Required
These professionals are responsible for directing advertising programs and policies to attract interest in services or products. They identify target contacts for promotional campaigns, inspect advertising copy, edit promotional material, and negotiate contracts. Many employers favor master’s degree holders, especially in the tech sector.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
Public Relations Specialist
$58,020Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Public relations specialists act as advocates who create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design and draft media releases to influence public perception of their organization, and to increase awareness of its activities. A master’s degree can facilitate promotions to senior account executive or consultant roles.
Projected Growth Rate 6%
Product Marketing Manager
$84,898Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Product marketing managers construct strategies to maximize profits through optimal sales while ensuring customer satisfaction. They oversee product development, launch, advertising, and pricing. They conduct consumer opinion research, influence the way products are viewed by the public, and use their product knowledge to reach target markets. Companies may favor master’s degree holders for senior management positions.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
Market Research Analyst
$62,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; top positions may require a master’sDegree Required
Market research analysts are responsible for understanding and documenting market conditions to help companies figure out who their consumers are, what they want, and what prices they will pay. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, they interpret data, formulate reports, and make recommendations based on research results. A master’s degree may be required for top positions.
Projected Growth Rate 19%
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
$127,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; master’s favored by many employersDegree Required
These professionals are responsible for directing advertising programs and policies to attract interest in services or products. They identify target contacts for promotional campaigns, inspect advertising copy, edit promotional material, and negotiate contracts. Many employers favor master’s degree holders, especially in the tech sector.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
Public Relations Specialist
$58,020Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Public relations specialists act as advocates who create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design and draft media releases to influence public perception of their organization, and to increase awareness of its activities. A master’s degree can facilitate promotions to senior account executive or consultant roles.
Projected Growth Rate 6%
Product Marketing Manager
$84,898Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Product marketing managers construct strategies to maximize profits through optimal sales while ensuring customer satisfaction. They oversee product development, launch, advertising, and pricing. They conduct consumer opinion research, influence the way products are viewed by the public, and use their product knowledge to reach target markets. Companies may favor master’s degree holders for senior management positions.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
Market Research Analyst
$62,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; top positions may require a master’sDegree Required
Market research analysts are responsible for understanding and documenting market conditions to help companies figure out who their consumers are, what they want, and what prices they will pay. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, they interpret data, formulate reports, and make recommendations based on research results. A master’s degree may be required for top positions.
Projected Growth Rate 19%
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
$127,560Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’s; master’s favored by many employersDegree Required
These professionals are responsible for directing advertising programs and policies to attract interest in services or products. They identify target contacts for promotional campaigns, inspect advertising copy, edit promotional material, and negotiate contracts. Many employers favor master’s degree holders, especially in the tech sector.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
Public Relations Specialist
$58,020Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Public relations specialists act as advocates who create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design and draft media releases to influence public perception of their organization, and to increase awareness of its activities. A master’s degree can facilitate promotions to senior account executive or consultant roles.
Projected Growth Rate 6%
Product Marketing Manager
$84,898Avg Annual SalaryBachelor’sDegree Required
Product marketing managers construct strategies to maximize profits through optimal sales while ensuring customer satisfaction. They oversee product development, launch, advertising, and pricing. They conduct consumer opinion research, influence the way products are viewed by the public, and use their product knowledge to reach target markets. Companies may favor master’s degree holders for senior management positions.
Projected Growth Rate 9%
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
To reach their maximum potential, many business careers require candidates to hold a master’s degree and some also require specialized certification. For marketing positions, certifications are not typically required at the entry level. However, for those who want to go the extra mile, certifications can be worthwhile career-boosters.
- Certified Professional Services Marketer:Available through the Society for Marketing Professional Services, the CPSM requires an exam in marketing competency and four years of professional work experience, and can benefit those with careers in professional service marketing and business development.
- Professional Researcher Certification:Market research analysts are eligible apply for the PRC, available through the Insights Association. The certification requires completion of 12 industry-related approved conference and webinar education hours, and an exam. Professionals must complete continuing education credits every two years to maintain the certification.
- Professional Certified Marketer:Available through the American Marketing Association, the PCM certification is available in either digital marketing or marketing management. This certification is designed for marketers, managers, CMOs, and entrepreneurs. Professionals must complete continuing education units every three years to maintain the credential.
JOB PLACEMENT
An affordable master’s degree is a long-term investment that can be your ticket to favorable job placement opportunities and higher-paying roles in the upper echelons of the marketing field. Many employers prefer to hire master’s level professionals, particularly for senior management positions in market research, advertising, and consultancy. Emerging markets also fuel worldwide growth in demand for highly educated marketing professionals. According to a recent report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, obtaining a graduate degree resulted in a hefty 32% earnings boost over bachelor’s-level income for professionals in marketing and marketing research.
MASTER’S IN MARKETING SALARY
With a master’s in marketing, you can position yourself for advancement into senior corporate management positions and consultancy roles that offer salaries commensurate with higher responsibilities. If you are looking to advance to high-level roles, a master’s degree is likely to open paths that provide a good return on your educational investment. The table below features data from Payscale regarding average salaries for holders of master’s degrees in marketing for five popular job titles in the field.
| JOB TITLE | AVERAGE SALARY FOR HOLDERS OF MASTER’S DEGREES IN MARKETING |
|---|---|
| Market researcher | $83,983 |
| Project management | $81,103 |
| Marketing communications | $81,148 |
| Strategic marketing | $91,395 |
| Product marketing | $116,204 |
Source: Payscale
Do I Need to Take the GRE or GMAT to Enroll in an Online Master’s in Marketing Program?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are standardized tests required students must complete before gaining admission to most graduate schools in the United States. The exams are designed to measure prospective students’ quantitative, reasoning, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills, and to rank applicants in comparison with their peers’ performance. The GRE is required for a variety of graduate programs. The GMAT is used exclusively for admissions decisions in business programs. Most but not all master’s in marketing online programs require the GRE or GMAT for admission. Some schools allow students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above to request a waiver of the GMAT or GRE requirement, while others accept five or more years of professional work experience as a substitute for the test requirement.
On average, GMAT or GRE study time takes learners around 100-200 hours (or two to three hours per day over a period of three months). Now that more business schools are accepting the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT, you may opt to take the test that is more suited to your strongest skills. Practice tests are available online to help you make this decision.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in Marketing Degrees
Accreditation is a mark of excellence. Through a process of peer review, regional and national accrediting agencies provide a seal of approval to assure students that schools meet an accrediting agency’s rigorous standards of quality. Regional accreditation is handled by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and standards for national accreditation are set by CHEA-approved agencies. The national accreditation designation is awarded to technical, vocational, and distance education institutions, typically with religious affiliations or for-profit status. National accreditation requirements are therefore less standardized than those for regional accreditation.
For the online master’s in marketing, look for a school with both regional and field-specific accreditation. For example, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is the accrediting agency for business schools.
Financing Your Online Master’s in Marketing Program
Marketing is a popular major choice, which means good news for you in the form of increased options for financial aid. Start by completing the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA, the first step toward qualifying for all federal financial aid. Consider fellowships, grants, federal and private loans, and career-specific scholarship awards based on need or merit. Expand your search as widely as possible. Sometimes attractive company sponsorship opportunities or reimbursements are available for students who are already employed. You can start your financial aid search at the U.S. Department of Labor database.
MARKETING SCHOLARSHIPSCOLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Lagrant Foundation ScholarshipUp to $3,750
This scholarship is open to graduate students enrolled in a field with an emphasis in advertising, marketing, or public relations.
Scholarship Deadline: February 28
Eligibility Requirements: Student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a full-time student with a minimum GPA of 3.2, and a member of one the following ethnic groups: Asian American/Pacific Islander, African American/Black, Native American/Alaska Native, or Hispanic/Latino.
Marketing EDGE Scholarship$1,000 – $7,000
This scholarship is open to graduate students enrolled in a field with an emphasis in advertising, marketing, or public relations.
Scholarship Deadline: Annually in December
Eligibility Requirements: Student must participate in at least one Marketing EDGE program and demonstrate an interest in marketing with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Hoods Memorial Scholarship$2,000
This scholarship is sponsored and administered by the EDSF, and is open to full-time students committed to pursuing a career in the document management and graphic communications marketplace.
Scholarship Deadline: May 1
Eligibility Requirements: Student’s academic focus must be in document management and graphic communication. Special consideration is given to students interested in marketing and public relations.
New York Women In Communications Scholarship$2,500-10,000
This scholarship offered by the NYWICI is open to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students who intend to pursue or further a career in communications.
Scholarship Deadline: Opens November 2017
Eligibility Requirements: Student must demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to the field of communications.
Ray Greenly Scholarship$10,000-$25,000
The Ray Greenly Scholarship is offered by the National Retail Foundation. The scholarship is open to sophomore, junior and senior undergraduates and graduate students enrolled full-time at any accredited U.S. college or university.
Scholarship Deadline: April 2018
Eligibility Requirements: Student must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0 and show how their chosen major or graduate program is relevant to digital retail.
Mark S. Smith Scholarship$2,000
Offered by Yellow Pages United, this scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students majoring in marketing, graphic design, or related fields.
Scholarship Deadline: June 29
Eligibility Requirements: Student must attend school full-time and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
American Indian Center Graduate Fellowship$1,000-5,000
Offered by the American Indian Center, this scholarship is open to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate or professional full-time, degree-seeking students in the U.S.
Scholarship Deadline: June 1
Eligibility Requirements: Student must be pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree as a full-time student at an accredited U.S. graduate school; demonstrate financial need; be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group, or be able to demonstrate ancestry of 1/4 degree Indian blood.
Launch your career with one of the nation’s most affordable online Master in Marketing degrees.
Do you envision yourself drafting innovative marketing campaigns and implementing them effectively? Do you see yourself as a leader and part of a team? Do you believe social media is more than just a way to chat, but an actual way to connect?
Then a graduate degree in marketing may be the next best step for you!
Top 10 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Marketing Degrees
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE |
| 2 | Texas A&M University-College Station | College Station, TX |
| 3 | University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 4 | Columbia Southern University | Orange Beach, AL |
| 5 | University of Maryland-University College | Adelphi, MD |
| 6 | Baker College | Flint, MI |
| 7 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, PA |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI |
| 9 | Arizona State University | Phoenix, AZ |
| 10 | Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, OK |
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Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
What kind of Master’s in Marketing degree should you get?
There are a couple ways to earn an advanced degree (and advance your career) in marketing. You can either take on a full Master of Business Administration degree, which will give you several options after graduation. Or you can earn a direct MS in Marketing degree, which will allow you to specialize.
However you design your degree experience, take note that all of the programs on our list can be completed fully online. That means you will be able to keep working while earning your degree. It’s not only flexible, but it’s also one of the most affordable options for education. Many programs offer lower tuition rates for their online learners.
Whether you’re just considering options or you’re ready to enroll, be sure to check out College Choice’s Most Affordable Online Graduate Colleges and Universities.
How much money do people make with a Masters in Marketing degree?
With a Master’s in Marketing degree you will be able to find work in a variety of industries and fields. Whether its healthcare or corporate office, everyone needs a smart, intuitive marketer who can brand and spotlight their organization.
And for that reason, marketers are well paid. For example, marketing managers make, on average, over $127,000 annually.
And not only is the field lucrative, but it’s stable. Marketing managers are always in demand. In fact, it’s projected that the need for people with a Masters in Marketing degree will rise another 9 percent in the next few years alone.
What are the requirements for an online Masters in Marketing degree?
Most of these programs are two-year programs. You will spend the first year building a sturdy foundation in business principles. This means classes on leadership and decision-making.
In your second year you will delve into an array of marketing issues, concepts, and applications. You will specialize in an area that aligns with your interest and career goals. Finally, many programs require a capstone project. This can look like a lot of things, but will probably involve the creation of an exhaustive, sample marketing campaign.
What are the most affordable online Masters in Marketing degrees?
Though some of these marketing programs offer a global perspective and others focus on digital marketing, all share one thing in common: they offer the best bang for your buck.
To determine the most affordable Master in Marketing degrees we looked at every program across the nation that offers a program online. From there we cut the list down to the 20 most affordable graduate marketing programs.
All of these are super affordable but many are also top-ranked.
Our figures and information come from the university and colleges’ websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized US News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.
2018 Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.Collapse All Expand All
- Bellevue UniversityLOCATIONBellevue, NETUITION$$$$$
- Texas A&M University-College StationLOCATIONCollege Station, TXTUITION$$$$$
- University of North CarolinaLOCATIONChapel Hill, NCTUITION$$$$$
- Columbia Southern UniversityLOCATIONOrange Beach, ALTUITION$$$$$
- University of Maryland-University CollegeLOCATIONAdelphi, MDTUITION$$$$$
- Baker CollegeLOCATIONFlint, MITUITION$$$$$
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaLOCATIONIndiana, PATUITION$$$$$
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterLOCATIONWhitewater, WITUITION$$$$$
- Arizona State UniversityLOCATIONPhoenix, AZTUITION$$$$$
- Oklahoma State UniversityLOCATIONStillwater, OKTUITION$$$$$
- Wilmington UniversityLOCATIONNew Castle, DETUITION$$$$$
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsLOCATIONColorado Springs, COTUITION$$$$$
- Capella UniversityLOCATIONMinneapolis, MNTUITION$$$$$
- Washington State UniversityLOCATIONPullman, WATUITION$$$$$
- University of PhoenixLOCATIONTempe, AZTUITION$$$$$
- University of the SouthwestLOCATIONHobbs, NMTUITION$$$$$
- University of MassachusettsLOCATIONLowell, MATUITION$$$$$
- Post UniversityLOCATIONWaterbury, CTTUITION$$$$$
- University of Saint MaryLOCATIONLeavenworth, KSTUITION$$$$$
- Colorado Technical UniversityLOCATIONColorado Springs, COTUITION$$$$$
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