25 Best Online Marketing Degree Programs [2024 Guide]

Explore online marketing degree programs. Compare schools and see what you could be doing after graduation.

Delve into curricula, accreditation details, and student resources to find the best fit for your career goals.

Start your academic journey towards becoming a marketing expert from the comfort of your home.

List of Schools Offering Online Marketing Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a sizable public educational institution that established itself in 1886 as a school for teaching. With continual growth and exploration of new ideas, ASU has advanced in research and breakthroughs that lead the way in helping to solve real-world economic, community, social, and health issues faced around the globe.

Today they offer over 350 undergraduate degrees and more than 450 graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs. Few can compare to the vast research opportunities ASU offers.

• BS in Marketing

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Committee of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

2. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is located in Nebraska and was opened in 1966. They offer a Marketing Bachelor’s Degree, which is delivered on-campus or online.

The degree offers students the learning necessary to equip them with the ability to design data-driven marketing programs. Students graduating from this program have a competitive advantage in finding a marketing job that will help them to achieve their financial goals.

• BS in Marketing

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Clayton State University

Opening in 1969, Clayton State University is a public university that prides itself on community involvement and the magical feeling surrounding its six campus lakes. With six associate degrees, 35 undergraduate degrees, and eight graduate programs, CSU has a variety of programs to help students advance in their professional goals.

Clayton State also has many volunteer opportunities, job shadowing, and internships for students to get college credits while they gain valuable career experience.

• BBA in Marketing

Clayton State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Dallas Baptist University

Opening in 1898, Dallas Baptist University is a private, faith-based university offering degree at the associate, bachelorette, masters, and doctoral levels. With a variety of disciplines such as business, leadership, arts, science, and more, DBU works to graduate students who want to help and serve others in their career path.

They have several online programs that allow students from all walks of life to have access to more educational opportunities.

• BBA in Marketing
• BBS in Marketing

Dallas Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

5. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University began in 1927 and opened its doors to its first students in 1934. Offering one of the lowest tuitions of many southwestern public colleges, ENMU has a multitude of degrees. Programs available can lead to an associate, bachelor, and master’s degree and come in in a variety of disciplines.

Their online degree programs allow global students to take part in their educational curricula. As a truly diverse campus, ENMU serves students from all 50 states and in 33 countries.

• BBA in Marketing

Eastern New Mexico University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Florida Atlantic University

Established in 1961, Florida Atlantic University is a public university that offers more than 170 programs in both undergraduate and graduate studies and allows students to access programs on campus or online.

FAU is a leader in educational research facilities that seek to help the global economy in real-world problems relating to the environment, human health, and neuroscience. They are known for using innovative engineering technology to shape the education process for their students.

• BBA in Marketing

FAU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

7. Florida International University

Florida International University started providing world-class instruction in 1965 as a public education institute and has quickly developed into one of the largest research universities in the nation. Located in the heart of Miami, FIU offers an array of programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to a diverse student population.

Through its research facilities, cultural museums, and athletic department, FIU stays focused on student success in the global community.

• BBA in Marketing

Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

8. Golden Gate University

The Golden Gate University is a nonsectarian university that was established in 1901. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Business – Marketing program that can only be described as cutting edge.

The program is offered both online and in-person and is taught by leading practitioners and professors in the field of marketing. The program outline is designed to make use of both practical and theoretical knowledge.

• BA in Management – Marketing
• BS in Business – Marketing

Golden Gate University has been accredited on an institution-wide basis by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

9. Liberty University

In 1771, Liberty University opened as a small college in Virginia and has since grown into a large private, faith-based university that offers over 600 degrees and certificate programs. At Liberty, students can gain a certificate, bachelor, masters, or doctoral degree in many areas, including medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering, design, music, religion, or law.

They cater to online learners, the military, and those who seek to become leaders in their communities.

• BSBA in Digital Marketing and Advertising
• BSBA in Marketing – Sales Management and Professional Selling
• BSBA in Marketing Analytics
• BSBA in Strategic Marketing Management

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

10. Minot State University

Established in 1913, Minot State University is a public university that has many undergraduate and graduate programs that help students achieve distinction in their field. Some of the programs offered include business, education, health, science, and more.

MSU works to help find solutions to problems concerning environmental and health issues plaguing their community by offering research-based instruction to universities and colleges within the state of North Dakota.

• BS in Marketing

Minot State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

11. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana was founded in 1884 and grown into a large public university located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. NSU was the first college of its time in Louisiana, offering degrees in nursing and business before any of college in this area.

Now they have more than fifty programs leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree and are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best universities for assisting military members and veterans reach their educational needs.

• BSBA in Marketing

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

12. Oklahoma State University

Founded in 1890 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University is a public land grant research educational facility that focuses on improving the quality of life on a global compacity. Known as one of the healthiest campuses, OSU leads the way in health education and safety using dedication and innovations.

The programs offered through OSU range from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to online learning opportunities. They have over 200 undergraduate majors, 79 master’s programs, and 45 doctoral programs.

• BSBA in Marketing

Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

13. Oregon State University

Oregon State University found its beginning in 1868 as a small college under a different name. Throughout the years, OSU has developed into a large flagship public university, serving thousands of students all over the world.

Oregon State offers hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees in wide-ranging discipline areas. Research education is encouraged for Oregon State students, and their research institutions are some of the best known in the world, ranking #277 out of 1,500 universities by U.S. News & World Report.

• BABA in Digital Marketing
• BABA in Marketing
• BSBA in Digital Marketing
• BSBA in Marketing

Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

14. Pennsylvania State University

Penn State World Campus has been providing an online education experience to students around the world through distance learning since 1998. As one of the biggest campuses associated with the Penn State University system, Penn State World Campus has more than 150 degree and certificate programs that allow students to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree entirely online.

This nationally recognized university enables students to get the education they need to move forward in their personal growth.

• BS in Marketing

Penn State World Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

15. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University started in 1932 as a small college offering education in accounting and secretarial science.

They have since grown into a large private educational institute that offers more than 200 programs, from certificates to doctoral degrees in disciplines such as business, education, liberal arts, social sciences, and many more. SNHU has a significant distance learning program that reaches thousands of students globally.

• BS in Marketing – Digital Marketing
• BS in Marketing – Social Media Marketing
• BSBA in Marketing

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

16. Texas A & M University – Commerce

Beginning in 1889, Texas A&M University-Commerce has stood out as one of the leaders in the educational world. Since its beginnings, Texas A&M-Commerce has developed new programs to offer more than 75 undergraduate degrees and over 40 graduate programs in a variety of curricula.

Texas A&M -Commerce is known for allowing students to pursue global hands-on research possibilities as they learn.

• BBA in Marketing

Texas A&M University – Commerce is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

17. University of Alabama – Birmingham

University of Alabama- Birmingham is a world-renowned doctoral research college and educational health center that works to create hands-on learning opportunities for all students. Founded in 1856 as a medical teaching facility, this public university has grown into one of the most diverse and widely esteemed teaching facilities in the world.

UAB gives students choices in majors in most disciplines with the ability to receive a degree on the bachelorette, masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.

• BS in Marketing

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

18. University of Massachusetts – Amherst

The University of Massachusetts – Amherst began in 1863 and has developed into a nationally recognized public university that offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The school is known for its excellent distance learning programs, giving them a world-wide presence among learning institutes.

Known for its diversity, UMass Amherst is military and LGBT friendly. It also works hard to provided engaging activities to deliver inclusion and community to their diverse population of students.

• BBA in Marketing

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

19. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis started in 1912 and has developed into a vibrant public research university with a rich cultural history. UofM has an array of options that allow students a path to an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree, including a pathway to a Juris Doctorate and more.

The university is the location of several research institutes, including a vital earthquake center, the FedEx technology learning center, and the facility for Egyptian art.

• BBA in Marketing Management

The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

20. University of Minnesota

Beginning in 1951, the University of Minnesota is a public land grant research educational institution that leads the way in innovation discovery in food, science, engineering, and health. The degree paths offered through U of M range from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to online learning opportunities.

The University of Minnesota prepares students for professional careers as leaders and visionaries who care about real-world issues.

• BS in Marketing

The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

21. University of Texas – Permian Basin

Founded in 1969, the University of Texas – Permian Basin is a public university that offers a well-rounded college education to students on campus and through distance learning. UTPB has a multitude of undergraduate degree paths and 19 graduate programs.

They work to improve the area in which they thrive by way of research, community development, and performing arts. UTPB also operates a local charter school for children, teaching with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• BBA in Marketing

The University of Texas Permian Basin is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

22. University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Founded in 1868, the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater is a public university that offers a variety of degree paths, both on-campus and online. U of W is the second-oldest teacher’s college in Wisconsin, and their excellent education department expresses this. They have over 50-degree programs, three of which are graduate programs.

Research opportunities are vast on campus and are encouraged by the university in the form of financial scholarships and course credits.

• BBA in Marketing

The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

23. Washington State University

Established in 1890 as a land grant institution, Washington State University is now a public university that offers hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees in a wide-ranging choice of discipline areas.

Research education is encouraged for Washington State students, inspiring them to be innovations that help advance ideas to bring positive change for global issues. Washington state is known for its on-campus sustainability, which helps to reduce its carbon footprint on the world.

• BABA in Marketing

Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

24. West Texas A & M University

West Texas A& M University is located in Canyon, Texas, just 13 miles south of the city of Amarillo. It is also known as WTAMU or WT.

It offers a BBA program with several options for students who want to achieve a bachelor’s degree. There are concentration options in Marketing, Management, and more

• BBA in Marketing

West Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

25. Western Governors University

Established in 1997, the Western Governors University tears down the walls of traditional education. It builds on the advancement of technology-based programs and evidence-based learning to help more students achieve more access to a higher level of education.

This private university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees with majors that relate to the fields of business, health, teaching, and information technology.

• BSBA in Marketing

Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Online Marketing Degree Specializations

A bachelor’s in marketing is available in a number of specializations allowing you to focus on the field that interests you most.

Click on the area of specialty that appeals to you.

• Marketing – General
• Digital Marketing
• International Business Marketing
• Marketing Management
• Market Research and Analysis
• Public Relations
• Social Media Marketing

Depending on your school, these specializations of marketing degrees might be offered as majors, minors, or just concentrations.

Marketing – General

If you have a knack for salesmanship, you might benefit from an online marketing degree. It’s a non-traditional path to a successful career in the advertising job market, but it can still prepare you for the challenges of the job, and it can help you qualify for high-paying work after graduation.

A generalist’s track in marketing can provide a well-rounded education that covers marketing principles, market research, brand management, product design, brand promotion, marketing strategies, advertising in different forms, and press relations.

This type of marketing degree program is ideal for those who want to run a marketing department or start their own business selling specialty products. You might also pursue this degree if you want to be an independent contractor providing marketing services to other businesses.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing takes place on the internet. From websites to smartphone apps, it capitalizes on the fact that more and more consumers are doing their shopping online, and it tries to reel in buyers through ads, banners, blogs, videos, and affiliate links.

A digital marketing concentration can cover a wide range of topics:

• Marketing principles
• E-commerce
• Brand management
• Social media analytics
• General marketing strategies
• Viral marketing techniques
• Web and mobile design
• Search engine optimization (SEO)

Some people take a “jack of all trades” approach to digital marketing. Others might have sub-specialties if they’re drawn to a particular type of digital marketing concentration, such as social media marketing or search engine marketing.

There’s no right or wrong answer; it just depends on where your interests lie and what kind of job you’re hoping to get in the future.

International Business Marketing

International business marketing is a broad field within the global business environment, and while there are a few degree programs specifically for it, it’s much more common for schools to offer a business or marketing major with a global studies concentration.

Another option is to major in global studies with side courses in communication, finance, economics, and advertising.

What can you do in the field of international business marketing? It depends on what you study.

For example, if you become an expert in cross-cultural business, you could travel overseas to help a brand launch a new product line in a foreign market. If you’re a math whiz, you could become a research analyst for a big corporation that operates in multiple countries.

Something to note is that international business marketing isn’t for rookies. It’s rare to find entry-level jobs in the field. If you’re interested in this line of work in the global business environment, you’ll need an advanced degree with years of experience, so prepare yourself for the long haul.

Marketing Management

Marketing management is another career that will ask you to put your nose to the grindstone. The rewards can be plentiful in the job market, including an average salary of $136,850 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics), but marketing managers aren’t given their positions overnight. They have to work their way up the ladder.

If you aren’t afraid of a challenge, however, you might enjoy the rigors of marketing management. Marketing managers are in supervisory roles, so they have lots of people reporting to them. Depending on your company, your work might involve print, radio, television, or the web.

You might organize focus groups. You might analyze research data about consumer habits and market trends. You might oversee the creation of advertising campaigns for specific products.

Do you thrive under pressure? Would you love a high-stakes but high-paying job? Consider some career goals in the marketing management job market.

Market Research and Analysis

Market research analysts are investigators. They look at studies and statistics to figure out what buyers want, what they like and don’t like, how much they’re willing to pay, and what they think about the stores that they frequent.

You’ll need a good eye for detail as a market research analyst. Here are some of the things that you might deal with on a daily basis:

• Graphs
• Surveys
• Questionnaires
• Polls
• Prices
• Sales reports
• Demographic data

It’s a lot of paperwork, but it can be lucrative. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts are in high demand with a projected growth rate of 18%, which is much faster than average.

Public Relations

You might be most familiar with public relations (PR) in terms of politics, but it has a place in marketing, too. PR reps help their company manage and maintain their reputation. This is especially important in times of crisis, but it’s part of everyday business operations as well.

PR reps might have many different responsibilities. If they’re good in front of the camera, they might serve as a spokesperson for the brand.

If they’re better at working behind the scenes, they might draft press releases, run social media accounts, or coordinate with the media about announcements and conferences.

You can major in either marketing or public relations if you’re interested in this kind of work. A few schools even offer a dual degree program for both.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is a fast-growing industry with over 4.9 billion users and projected to reach 5.85 billion by 2027, according to Forbes. If you’re looking for a successful career with a great ROI (return on investment), this could be the one for you.

How do social media marketers spend their time? It depends on their exact job. Entry-level employees might answer tweets on the company’s account; senior employees might approve budgets for ads and affiliate links on different platforms.

Another big part of social media marketing is analyzing data. What kind of content is getting the most engagement? Where is the most traffic coming from, and what are the demographics associated with it?

Social media marketing isn’t for the technologically challenged, but if you’re an expert at online communication and interested in a job with a lot of opportunities for growth, give this one some thought.

Courses for an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing

While every online bachelor’s in marketing is different, there are a few topics that are likely to pop up over and over again during your marketing education.

Here are just a few examples of what might be on your schedule in an online marketing degree program.

• Principles of Marketing: There are four cornerstones in the marketing world: product, price, place, and promotion. Known as “the four Ps,” these principles of marketing strategy are the foundation of just about every marketing course students take, and you’ll need to explore them at length, along with other business strategies.
• Web Analytics: You can determine the popularity of a physical store by counting the number of people who walk through the door. For an e-commerce store, you’ll need web analytics. They’re the metrics that companies use to track hits, visitors, pingbacks, and click-throughs, and they’re quite important for digital marketing.
• Business to Business (B2B) Marketing: B2B marketing is when one company sells its products or services to another. There are some key differences in business strategies when selling to a corporation versus a consumer, and B2B classes can help you understand them. They can be part of both undergraduate and graduate studies.
• Pricing Strategy and Analytics: How much should you charge for that product? What’s the right formula to balance the costs of manufacturing, marketing, packaging, and shipping? How can you keep your prices competitive while still turning a profit? Welcome to the world of pricing strategies.
• Consumer Behavior: Consumer behavior is the study of shoppers. Rather than being a specific class, it’s more like an entire branch of study, and you’ll probably have your pick of consumer behavior courses as you get your marketing degree. They might be requirements for your major, or they might be electives that you can take for specialties and concentrations.
• Content Marketing: “Content” is what makes up a website, and content marketing is the art of creating and distributing it. From blog posts to splash pages, it’s one of the most important aspects of marketing strategy in digital advertising, so you can expect to learn a lot about good content as you obtain your marketing degree.

They might be requirements for your major in a marketing degree program, or they might be electives that you can take for a concentration or specialization within marketing degrees.

Traditional Marketing vs Digital Marketing

“Traditional marketing” refers to marketing that isn’t online. This can include magazines, billboards, phone calls, television commercials, radio spots, and direct mail marketing.

By contrast, “digital marketing” takes place on the web. It includes ads, emails, pop-ups, websites, blogs, search engines, and social media posts.

There can be some crossover between traditional and digital marketing. For example, both types can make use of newsletters; it’s just that traditional newsletters are put in a mailbox while digital newsletters are sent to an inbox.

There’s an eternal debate in the business world about which type of marketing strategy is the most effective.

The simple truth is that both methods have their pros and cons, and some people are naturally drawn to one form of marketing over another. If you’re weighing successful career options, you’ll need to decide for yourself which is right for you.

• Traditional marketing: anything that isn’t online. Potential jobs include ones in print, radio, television, and outdoor advertising.
• Digital marketing: anything that’s online. Potential jobs include things like social media coordinator, digital content creator, and search engine analyst.

Something to note is that many marketing jobs combine both traditional and digital elements. For example, a marketing manager might be expected to oversee everything in their department, including digital and non-digital ad campaigns.

What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree?

You’ll have plenty of career options with a marketing degree, especially if you’re willing to stay in school and obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree. There are even doctorate degrees for marketing. While a PhD can’t guarantee a good job, it can significantly improve your odds.

Here are a few career paths that you might take with a marketing degree:

Search Engine Marketing Specialist

Have you ever wondered about the mechanics behind your Google searches? Marketing specialists do. In fact, there’s a whole industry devoted to search engine optimization (SEO) so that brands can get their websites on the top of search engine results.

Some of the tricks revolve around targeting certain keywords or coding websites in a specific way to take advantage of consumer behavior. Other research goes into analyzing the algorithms of search engines to stay on the cutting edge of what they deem “relevant.”

If you enjoy data crunching, you might enjoy a job with search engine optimization and its associated marketing skills.

Media Planner

Someone has to plan all of those commercials and banner ads that you see, and it’s usually a media planner. They’re responsible for the big-picture marketing of a brand. For this reason, they’re sometimes called “brand planners” or “brand strategists.”

It’s hard to pin down the exact responsibilities of a media planner since their jobs are so flexible and versatile. They might work on a billboard one day and a social media video the next.

You’ll need plenty of imagination to be a media planner. While business sense is important too, this is definitely a job for creatives.

Social Media Manager

Social media has taken the world by storm, and it’s become an absolute necessity for modern business. Some studies suggest that as many as 74% of consumers are influenced by social media.

As you might imagine, this has caused a huge boom in social media marketing jobs as companies seek to capitalize on their influence.

You might wear many different hats as a social media manager.

You might be a customer service representative that answers questions on Twitter; you might be a creative person who dreams up different ads for Facebook and Instagram; you might be a data analyst that looks at the statistics of accounts, platforms, and customer demographics.

Social media is a field that changes by the day, so your job duties might change as well. You’ll need to stay on your toes and keep abreast of consumer behavior as a social media manager.

Marketing Degree Salary

Since marketing jobs can range from low-paying internships to high-paying department heads, you’ll see a wide scope of salaries within the industry. Some career paths in the marketing field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, include:

• • Chief marketing officer ($184,460 per year)
  • Marketing manager ($136,850)
  • Promotions manager ($125,510)
  • Art director ($94,220)
  • Media planner ($64,230)
  • Digital marketing specialist ($63,790)
  • Market research analyst in wholesale trade ($61,780)
  • Marketing consultant ($61,520)
  • Social media specialist ($61,150)
  • Convention planner ($50,600)

You should know that salaries can be different for the same job, too. A marketing manager in a metropolitan area like San Jose might make $199,710 annually, whereas a marketing manager in a nonmetropolitan area like Southwest Maine might only make $97,670 annually.

Your own salary will depend on things like your educational level and total years of experience. So whereas an online bachelor’s in marketing can put you in a good position salary-wise, pursuing an online master’s in marketing or even an online PhD in marketing could help increase your annual salary by a significant amount.

Marketing Professional Organizations

Professional organizations can provide a lot of resources for a career-oriented student. They usually require membership dues, so they’re a bit of an investment, but they can pay for themselves in terms of workshops, seminars, academic journals, networking events, and mentorship programs.

• American Marketing Association (AMA): an organization for marketing professionals. The American Marketing Association offers everything from job boards to webinars focused on industry-specific topics. You’ll need to pay to join, but they offer a discounted rate for students and student groups.
• Internet Marketing Association (IMA): for marketers who work in the digital realm. It offers many resources, including newsletters and networking events, and it even has a YouTube channel where you can watch videos about work, technology, leadership, education, and entrepreneurship.
• Insights Association: formed by a joint effort between the Marketing Research Association and the Council of American Survey Research Organizations, the Insights Association is a high-level marketing organization. It has a steep membership cost, but you can get access to everything from legal advice to insurance programs.
• Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO): for those interested in SEO. This organization conducts special studies on the market just for members, and they have monthly “chats” in the form of digital, interactive discussions with professionals from all over the world.
• Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS): for marketers at every stage of their career goals. Whether you’re a first-time student or a long-time professional, they have resources that can help you achieve your next goal. Students are offered a special rate for membership.

Join one of these organizations while you’re still in school to stay abreast of industry news and to become aware of job possibilities.

Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the first things that you should look for in a degree program of any type. If you don’t want to check schools individually, start your search with an accrediting board.

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

These are the regional boards that evaluate colleges and universities as a whole. There are also organizations that accredit business programs specifically, including online bachelor’s in marketing degree programs.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) has accredited literally hundreds of degree options. It specializes in business, finance, accounting, economics, marketing, and other related fields.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Like its name suggests, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is for business schools.

A nice thing about their organization is that they’ve accredited programs at every degree level, so whether you’re thinking about an associate degree or a doctorate degree, they can point you in the right direction with their searchable database.

International Accreditation Council for Business Education

Formerly known as the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) offers accreditation for business schools of all kinds. They’re known for their high standards.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for qualified students.

Your first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) In addition to student loans, you may also qualify for grants, such as the Pell Grant.

Last but not least, if you’re already employed, ask your human resources department about tuition reimbursement. Some companies are willing to pay for their employees to get an education that will help them learn new marketing skills or earn new certifications for the job.

Questions Related to Earning an Online Marketing Degree

Here are a few more points of interest that students have regarding online marketing degrees.

What Is Marketing?

Marketing is the art of promoting something. Whether it’s a product, service, company, brand, or lifestyle, you’re trying to appeal to people and get them interested in it through your marketing and presentation skills.

A common misconception is that marketing is about sales, but that’s not strictly true. You can “sell” an idea with no financial value, and you can “market” yourself or your interests without money being your bottom line. At its core, marketing is just about engaging people for a specific purpose.

How Do I Get a Degree in Marketing?

There are several levels for a marketing degree, for both traditional as well as online marketing degrees:

• An associate degree in marketing is typically a two-year endeavor that can teach you the basics. It isn’t enough education for a high-paying marketing career, but it can qualify you for entry-level jobs, and it can get your foot in the door for further advancement.
• A bachelor’s degree in marketing will usually take four years, and it’s enough to qualify for most mid- to senior-level marketing jobs. You can work towards either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in marketing.
• A master’s degree in marketing requires on average an additional 1-3 years of study after obtaining your bachelor’s degree. You can specialize in things like global marketing, social media marketing, and marketing management.
• A doctorate degree in marketing is the highest education that you can obtain in the field. It can require anywhere from 4-8 years of additional study, so it’s quite the commitment, but it can be worth it for a highly specialized field where you need a PhD to be competitive.

Keep in mind that every level of education has its own earning potential, so it’ll be up to you to decide if the cost of an advanced degree is worth it.

Can I Get a Marketing Degree Online?

Yes, you can get a marketing degree online. With this type of online marketing degree program, it doesn’t matter where you’re located. You don’t have to be an in-state student, and in some cases, you won’t even have to pay out-of-state tuition rates. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can earn your degree from online marketing programs.

Another option is a “hybrid” degree that’s partly online and partly in the classroom. You’ll need to be a resident for this one since it requires attending courses on campus. It can be a good choice if you want a traditional college experience but also desire some flexibility in your schedule via online marketing programs.

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Marketing Degree?

A marketing degree can help you land a variety of jobs in the business sector. Some of them aren’t even in advertising. Since there’s a lot of crossover between business, finance, economics, marketing, and public relations, a degree in one field is sometimes good enough for a job in another.

If you enjoy marketing for its own sake, however, there are plenty of jobs where you can utilize a marketing degree:

• Media planner
• Digital media analyst
• Social media manager
• Promotions manager
• Search engine optimization specialist
• Project manager
• Public relations representative
• Market research analyst

There are many more, but they can be dependent on things like experience and skill set. For example, you won’t become a chief marketing officer (CMO) without years of managerial training and excellent presentation skills.

How Much Does a Marketing Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average four-year degree costs around $31,875. This shakes out to $9,212 for in-state students and $26,382 for out-of-state students.

Before you write these numbers down, however, you should know that the price of a marketing degree can vary quite a bit from school to school.

Prestigious universities have a much heftier price tag than state schools, for example. Colleges with good financial aid programs will be cheaper than others. You can also save money if your school offers a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree program in marketing.

You can also save quite a bit of money if you test out of classes or can submit a portfolio to earn credit for prior learning.

Is a Marketing Degree Worth It?

Yes, a marketing degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in management and business occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include marketing manager, art director, digital media specialist, and marketing consultant.

A marketing degree can be a very good investment for someone interested in a full-time business or advertising career.

While the specifics of your job will depend on where you want to work and what you want to do, getting a degree can pad your resume, qualify you for high-level positions, and teach you the marketing skills that you’ll need to succeed. It’s worth the effort.