Online Marketing Degree
An online degree in marketing aims to teach students how to price, place and promote products. It then applies business tactics to drive results with certain consumer groups. Depending on your goals, there are at all levels of marketing programs. Bachelor’s, master’s and and PhDs. Many online schools offer these degrees in their school of business. They may also have a wide range of focus areas. Choosing one may tailor your studies to your marketing career interests. Market research, sports marketing and digital marketing are a few.
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
An online bachelor’s degree program is entry level. As a rule, it entails about 120 credit hours. Fewer if you enter with an associate degree and qualify to use transfer credits.
Many bachelor’s programs span many areas apart from a marketing curriculum. These span gen ed classes, core marketing courses and electives plus some type of capstone. Many online schools offer marketing students several types of degrees. An online bachelor of science in marketing (BS) or bachelor of arts (BA).
A key difference between the BA and BS is the focus. A BA may focus more on humanities and liberal arts. Things like buyer behavior and the customer relationship. Whereas a BS, may stress analytics for regular and internet marketing campaigns. Areas such as market research and strategy.
There is another path that many online business schools offer. A bachelor of business admin (BBA or BSBA). For many, a BSBA is the entry point to a career in business. These are business programs first. So, you may take study global business principles. Like finance, operations and sales management. Plus, a handful of online courses for the marketing concentration.
While learning the business landscape, marketing majors may also learn how customers make decisions. This may mean that you learn how to create a marketing plan using research and stats. You may also learn about how agencies work. Things like branding, social media, sales and public relations.
If you’re thinking about cost, tuition rates vary (as will the classes you take) for each school. NCES tells us the average cost for an in state public university is $6,691. For out of state schools, this cost is $29,420. You may find online degree programs from schools that cost less (or more) than the norm.
Master’s Degree in Marketing
An online masters may be an MS or MBA program that takes about two years to finish. On average, you take from 30 to 36 credit hours and may have a final thesis. Many of these programs are for current marketing professionals who want to take the next step in the marketing field. That may be to study marketing for international business. Or, to grow technical skills in search engine optimization.
Course plans often look at how to apply data to analyze demand, supply and global trade. Grads may thus take away skills in tactical leadership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) companies seek these skills. If you wonder about tuition, that varies between schools with online programs. On average, the cost of a graduate degree from a public college is $11,617.
Online Masters in Marketing vs MBA
One way a masters in marketing differs from an MBA is the scope of the program. An MS is likely to have a marketing core plus a focus in one area. Market research, Internet marketing, etc. This type of degree may appeal to those who have a marketing background and want to climb the ladder. This might be done by honing a certain marketing skill set.
The MBA focuses on a business core plus a handful of courses to meet your area of focus. People who choose the MBA may want to build their manager skills. Or other skills that apply to direct marketing campaigns or another area of business.
PhD in Marketing
A PhD is a research degree. It is also the highest level degree one might earn in marketing. This type of program aims to build the skills needed to do original research. Often online students are able to choose an area of focus in a PhD program. Some students may want to study marketing science models and data. Others may prefer to research behavioral science and how it explains buyer choices.
At some point in the program you select an anchor point for your own research. Along side, you may to learn how to write and present your findings. As a thought leadership degree, a PhD is often pursued by those who want to remain in academia. This may mean teaching at the college level. Or doing research to impact policy at a major firm.
What can I do with an Online Marketing Degree?
Many of today’s managers work in digital marketing. Things such as pay per click, display network, paid social, and SEO. Others work in branding, raising funds or promotions in various sectors. Business, education, health, pharma, sports. You name it – there are marketing specialists at work.
1. Marketing Manager
Managers help develop price strategies and identify product markets. They max the profits for a company by trying to gain as much market share for a product as possible. Important skills include being creative, analytical and able to work with other teams. Most marketing managers need at least a bachelors degree.
2. Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers usually help develop a companies brand, or identity. They do things like write press releases and help execs communicate with the public. In some cases, they may also create ad and promo campaigns. A bachelors degree may be ok for some companies. In other cases, some places may want candidates to have a masters degree.
3. Market Research Analyst
Research analysts do many things including forecasting sales trends, measuring how well marketing campaigns work and looking at complex data. Most marketing research analysts need at least a bachelors degree.
4. Chief Executive
CMOs drive forward department goals and oversee the entire marketing arm of a company. Most top execs have at least a bachelor’s degree and a considerable amount of work experience.
Is An Online Marketing Degree Worth It?
A degree may yield skills that apply to many in demand marketing jobs with high wages. BLS predicts managers are among these with growth predicted at 8% percent in the next 10 years. That means about 21 thousand new jobs in the U.S. Demand is due in large part to digital media which makes it easier to reach target groups. Yet also asks for more complex planning, forecasts and analysis.
You are probably also wondering what you might earn with an online degree in marketing. This is going to vary. But, the BLS shows Manager salaries ranged in the lowest 10% from $71,010 to the highest 10% of $208,000. That places the median annual marketing salary at $136,850 in 2019.
Marketing Degree Jobs & Salary
| Occupation | Average Salary | Jobs |
| Marketing Manager | $136,850 | 263,680 |
| Public Relations Manager | $116,180 | 81,200 |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,790 | 681,900 |
| Chief Executive | $193,850 | 205,890 |
Top States for Jobs as a Marketing Manager
| State | Jobs | Annual Mean Wage |
| CA | 33,380 | $164,410 |
| IL | 16,720 | $122,260 |
| NY | 16,430 | $192,290 |
| MA | 12,770 | $146,240 |
| NJ | 10,960 | $177,070 |
Online Marketing Degree Courses
The classes you take in this field depend on the level of degree and choice of program. Mainly, bachelors programs include ‘overviews’ and ‘basics’. While masters and PhD programs are more in depth. They will build off the basics and will include more complex research methods.
Bachelors Degree Courses
Marketing majors at this point study the ways to develop and sell products. This means learning about how to identify and connect with customers. As well, you may learn many methods to promote a company’s products and services.
Principles of Accounting
This intro course often looks at the principles of financial accounting. You often learn how to identify, measure, and report much financial data. Including areas related to economic conditions. This may help in the problem solving skills necessary in this field.
Product and Brand Management
In this course, students often learn about life cycles for goods and services. You may look at concepts for the whole product life cycle from idea to sales. This may help you design and use a product development strategy especially through a final project.
Organizational Behavior for Managers
This course often focuses on prepping students to understand the way behavior impacts leadership and management in orgs. You may learn about key concepts and terms as they relate to org’l behavior. And, about various leadership styles and how they apply to performance and job satisfaction.
Integrated Marketing Strategy
IMC focuses on making a streamlined campaign on all marketing channels. This takes a certain level of managerial skill and grasp of the media platforms. As a result, you may study how to use PR events, fundraising, social, print and multimedia. All to sell and promote a client, brand or service.
Graduate Program Courses
Masters programs often build a deep knowledge of the many facets of the field. Now that you know about consumers, you may study how to research, analyze and apply the data. PhD and DBA programs include more writing, research methods and analysis. You might also study global marketing. How to make marketing decisions for global campaigns and such.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Marketing
This course has a focus on ethical issues that managers need to know. This is done with a look at various view points and theories. These areas aim to build an ethical framework for decisions. So, one may study side topics like int’l marketing, controversial products, privacy, and others.
Strategic Digital Marketing
Marketing execs use various business models to derive data. The data may explain why consumers buy or don’t buy something. Or, where they buy (online vs in store) and other useful analytics. Knowing how to make sense of this data helps to craft strategies for use in marketing.
Marketing Analytics
In this area, you may learn about quantitative tools and methods. They may learn how to apply these to their marketing efforts. You may learn to understand relationships in various marketing factors. This includes a look at numerous variables and the consumer. This type of course often teaches students how to make marketing related decisions.
Marketing Strategies
The focus of this course is often on developing strategies for communicating messages in a marketing world. You may learn to discover consumer and organization needs and wants. You may learn how to meet goals through beneficial relationships. And, you may learn about target marketing. Also, you may also learn about conducting market research and designing products.
Popular Areas in Marketing
Tailor a general program in marketing to your career goals and interests. Here are a few popular areas that many online colleges offer.
1. Digital Marketing
This focus is about using digital and social media activity and data to inform decision making. You may study content, mobile and email marketing. As well as analytics pay per click (PPC) and search engine optimization (SEO).
2. Marketing Research Analytics
In this area you study ways to analyze and interpret data to develop marketing plans. This skill may help you gather info from interviews, focus groups, surveys and public opinion polls. All with the goal to manage a brand using specific metrics.
3. New Media and Communications
Many businesses engage buyers with online tools. Like social networks, video, blogs, podcasts and mobile technology. So, this area might hone the skills needed for success with these media. From writing and graphic design. To video production and specific marketing tactics.
4. Social Media Marketing
In this area, you explore the ways social impacts website traffic and revenue. And how to direct and coordinate attention grabbing campaigns for mobile devices. Along the way, you may gain skills to go for industry certifications (Hubspot, Hootsuite).
5. Marketing Management
With this focus, you are likely to study all the managerial functions in the field of marketing. Things such as turning a plan into a successful campaign. And, the tools that evaluate the marketing mix to ensure they are effective.
How long does it take to earn an Online Marketing Degree?
The time it takes to earn a marketing degree online varies by program level and your course load. A BS or BS degree may take four years or less. If you’re working towards a masters or MBA, it may take two years or less. For a PhD or DBA, it may take between two and four years. Many online schools have transfer credit policies in place which may help lessen your course load. Also, some of these programs allow you to waive summer break. This can also speed up the time it takes for you to complete your program.
| University | Degree Type | Credits | Min Months to Earn Degree |
| Post University | Bachelor | 120 | 48 |
| University of Phoenix | Bachelor | 120 | 48 |
| Indiana University | Masters | 30 | 12 |
| Emerson | Masters | 32 | 12 |
| Northcentral University | PhD | 48 | 39 |
| Walden University | PhD | 49 | 36 |
Scholarships for Marketing Majors
Scholarships are useful sources of financial aid that help make a degree more affordable. If you meet the eligibility, apply!
Alliance for Women in Media Austin Affiliate
For college Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors studying media / marketing or a related field at a university in the Austin area. Students attending other colleges who graduated from an Austin area high school and keep an Austin area permanent address may also apply. Applicants need a GPA of 2.5 or higher and must be full time students. There will be one $5000 award winner.
Deadline: March 2, 2021
Promotional Products Education Foundation
PPEF is a nonprofit organization. They award college scholarships to students who have a parent at work in the promotional products industry. Or who are working for a company in the industry. Most of their named awards are need based and for undergrads. To qualify, you must have a 3.0 GPA and submit a copy of the Student Aid Report.
Deadline: March 15, 2021
Marketing EDGE Scholarship Program
For current U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a career in marketing. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. As Marketing Edge partners with several orgs to provide funds, there is one general application. Applicants get matched to the programs that meet their qualifications. Awards range in value from $1,000 to $7,000 each, non renewable.
Deadline: April 15, 2021
Black Marketing Leaders Grant
For a Black student or recent graduate who plans on (or already is) pursuing a career in marketing at a start up and shows impact and drive. There will be one winner of $1,000.
Deadline: May 11, 2021
LaFleur Marketing’s Importance of Good Writing Scholarship
For currently enrolled students at a 4 year institution or community college as well as high school seniors. All applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and need to prove full time enrollment. It is also necessary to submit a 750 to 2,000 word essay about the importance of good writing. One winner receives $1,000.
Deadline: June 30, 2021
15 Online Marketing Degrees
Many online schools have marketing degrees at all levels. We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.
- Florida International University
- University of Alabama
- Western Governors University
- University of Cincinnati
- Arizona State University
- Florida State University
- University of Phoenix Arizona
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Temple University
- Michigan State University
- University of Wisconsin Whitewater
- Florida Atlantic University
- Texas Tech University
- Pennsylvania State World Campus
- Grand Canyon University
FIND AN ONLINE MARKETING DEGREE
Many online schools have marketing degrees at all levels. Here are 15 schools where you might earn a degree in marketing online at various levels.
1
FIU’s BBA program spans 120 credits of business classes and marketing basics. Core coursework delves into finance, operations and management. You also take a handful of specific classes in marketing and choose two electives. The electives allow you to tailor your program with topics such as analytics, retail and international marketing.
Courses Include:
- Personal Selling
- Consumer Behavior
- Strategic Marketing
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $6,565 / $18,963
Grad $11,106 / $23,587
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$6,069
Average Net Price:
$9,888
More Degree Programs:
- MS in Marketing
2
UAB’s 120 credit program is AACSB accredited. It studies many aspects of marketing. sales, effective communications, international practices, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and more. You may also learn how new tech platforms and social tools impact the marketing profession.
Courses Include:
- Retail Marketing
- Professional Selling
- Marketing Planning
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $10,780 / $30,250
Grad $10,780 / $30,250
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$15,160
Average Net Price:
$20,623
More Degree Programs:
- MS in Marketing
3
WGU’s online BSBA in marketing allows you to move through 41 classes at your own pace. These touch on business basics, mgmt. skills and a range of sales / marketing topics. You also pay on a six month term rather than per credit hour.
- Brand Management
- Consumer Behavior
- Sales Management
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $6,670
Grad $7,790
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$2,635
Average Net Price:
N/A
More Degree Programs:
- MBA
4
U Cincinnati’s AACSB accredited program entails 38 to 48 credits. It offers core courses in business with a focus in marketing. One pursues the marketing classes in a 12 credit add on certificate. These classes begin with basic concepts. Like customer and market analysis, planning and targeting. Then also discuss ethics, tools and advertising.
Courses Include:
- Buyer Behavior
- Marketing Strategy
- New Product Development
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $26,994
Grad $26,210
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$7,568
Average Net Price:
$19,219
More Degree Programs:
- MS in Marketing
5
ASU offers a 120 credit program which studies marketing activities in various sectors. Consumer product, service and B2B markets, and in the global economy. Other featured classes include research, strategy and management. While you study these areas, you also take courses from business. Accounting, writing and leadership are a few.
Courses Include:
- Actionable Analytics
- Services Marketing
- Applied Marketing
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $11,338
Grad $29,428
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$10,651
Average Net Price:
$13,764
More Degree Programs:
- BS in Marketing (Digital/Integrated Marketing Communications)
- MBA
6
FSU offers an MBA with a marketing focus. The marketing classes study key areas. Including development of new products. And, how to use big data to inform managerial decisions. To round things out core classes draw from business admin. These look at operations, strategy, finance and accounting. There are full and part time formats and in all, 39 credits.
Courses Include:
- Marketing Analytics
- Services Marketing
- Big Data
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $5,656 / $18,786
Grad $25,985
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$7,685
Average Net Price:
$12,568
More Degree Programs:
- BS in Marketing (campus)
- BS-MAR/MBA (campus/online)
- PhD in Marketing (campus)
7
UOPX offers an ACBSP accredited program. It entails 120 credits and classes are five weeks long. The aim of the courses is to cover a range of business topics. Then add to these skills with specific marketing classes. In these, you may understand how to market small and big businesses, use strategy and analytics.
Courses Include:
- Product and Brand Mgmt.
- PR
- Buyer Behavior
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $9,552
Grad $16,752
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$4,010
Average Net Price:
$12,767
More Degree Programs:
- MBA in Marketing
8
SNHU offers a 120 credit program with an accelerated BS to MS pathway option. It offers a broad set of courses to grow basic business skills. You study communications, buyer behavior, market research and international marketing. If you want, you may focus your degree with two concentration options. Social which revolves around brand building through platforms. Or digital which touches on mobile marketing, digital advertising and analytics such as SEO and SEM.
Courses Include:
- Integrated Marketing
- Research
- Strategic Brand Mgmt.
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $31,136
Grad $18,810
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$3,888
Average Net Price:
$39,071
More Degree Programs:
- MBA
- MS in Marketing
9
Temple offers a 30 credit part time program from their school of business. It looks at how companies market products and services to digital audiences. Rounding out classes are hands on experiences. These may grow skilled use with tools like Google Analytics, Excel analysis, Hootsuite and more.
- User Experience
- IT Management
- Business Intelligence
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $29,882
Grad $24,236
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$9,392
Average Net Price:
$23,032
More Degree Programs:
- BBA in Marketing (campus)
10
MSU offers a 34 credit (20 month) program which is research driven. As such it covers many methods. Experimental design, sampling, data collection and analysis. In studying these areas, you also look at software and other marketing technology. These aim to grow your knowledge and decision skills using buyer insights.
Courses Include:
- Marketing Tech and Analytics
- Consulting Practicum
- New Product and Service Research
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $14,460 / $39,766
Grad $18,858 / $37,056
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$11,366
Average Net Price:
$16,579
More Degree Programs:
- BA in Marketing (campus)
- MA in Strategic Communication
- PhD in Marketing (Campus)
11
UWW’s 120 credit program entails 20 hours community service. In part, you take general ed and business classes. These frame key skills such as writing. While also covering finance, business law, operations and corporate structure. For the marketing focus, you take two required and six electives. There are two tracks that may further tailor your studies. One in professional sales another in digital marketing.
Courses Include:
- Market Research
- Marketing Management
- Principles of Marketing
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $7,695 / $16,416
Grad $9,118 / $18,807
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$5,404
Average Net Price:
$12,309
More Degree Programs:
- MBA
12
FAU offers an online BBA degree with a major in marketing. It looks at the rise of e commerce and aims to grow technical skills in main areas. Like advertising, personal selling and negotiation as well as lead generation. You complete 120 credits
- Promotional Mgmt.
- Retail Mgmt.
- Principals of Advertising
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $17,324
Grad $17,921
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$8,450
Average Net Price:
$9,486
More Degree Programs:
- MBA
13
Texas Tech offers a 30 credit program. It studies both quantitative and qualitative methods and their uses in a marketing context. As such, you may gain deeper skills in analysis. And in turn, a more informed way to make marketing decisions at work.
- Advanced Statistics For Marketing
- Marketing Concepts
- Experimental Design
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $9,300 / $19,260
Grad $8,181 / $15,651
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$7,766
Average Net Price:
$16,463
More Degree Programs:
- BA in Digital Media and Professional Communication
- BA in Technical Communication
14
Penn State offers an AACSB accredited and 120 credit program. It aims to help you apply buyer behavior science to market research and strategy. And, melds traditional practices with new trends and innovation. Your classes also touch on business and managerial concepts including finance.
Courses Include:
- Business to Business Marketing
- Advertising and Sales
- Services Marketing Management
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $13,988
Grad $22,186
Special rates available for military students.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$6,771
Average Net Price:
$24,724
More Degree Programs:
- BA in Strategic Communications
- BS in Business
- MBA
- MPS in Strategic Communications
15
GCU’s program studies marketing along with a Christian Worldview. There are 120 credits to complete including general and business topics. Along side, there are various marketing classes that go from intro level to ones in strategic management.
Courses Include:
- Promotion and Advertising
- Research and Reporting
- Organizational Behavior
Tuition and Fees:
Undergrad $17,800
Grad $11,074
Special tuition rates for military.
Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:
$7,322
Average Net Price:
$18,405
More Degree Programs:
- MBA in Marketing
- DBA in Marketing
*Unemployment Earnings. Sources for school stats and data include the NCES and IPEDS.