If you’ve worked in the marketing field for some time, you may now be hearing the siren call of a managerial position. You feel the lure of the appreciably higher compensation that goes with the desk. Trained and talented marketing professionals are employed in a wide range of marketing fields, from public relations to advertising and promotions.
Marketing managers may specialize in the area of strategy, with the aim of developing products and evaluating success. They may also keep track of trends as well as oversee employees. The range of their duties may include, in addition to direct and brand marketing, the added arena of digital marketing in the electronic age. In many cases, once you have the appropriate educational background, you may be able to write your own job description.
For most positions as a marketing manager, an MBA or master’s in marketing is the minimum requirement. But perhaps you’ve hesitated to undertake earning an advanced degree. Fully committing to the process has traditionally meant disrupting your daily life to attend classes at a brick-and-mortar college. Today, however, an online master’s degree in marketing can be achieved with little to no change in your life’s routine. In about two years’ time–the same time frame as with face-to-face classes–you could be engaged in a rewarding career in marketing management.
Graduate schools design their online master’s programs to reflect the coursework found at brick-and-mortar higher ed institutions. Students receive instruction in fundamentals as well as the most up-to-date information in the field. All are from highly certified educators at the school of their choice.
This list of the 10 best deals on MBA in marketing degrees will help you find a respected and accredited school that won’t ruin your budget. In the following guide, you will find more information about how to use your master’s or MBA in marketing degree and what kinds of positions await you after graduation.
FAQs about Online MBA and Online Master’s in Marketing Degrees
What does someone with a master’s in marketing do?
A job applicant with a master’s degree in marketing may expect to get a position as a manager in the marketing profession. Daily work responsibilities and duties in a business or institution may include:
- directing marketing and/or advertising
- monitoring trends
- appraising economic influences
- supervising employees
- developing new products.
What does the degree cover?
The typical master’s degree in marketing includes advanced coursework in the principles of marketing, with emphasis on:
- strategic planning
- finance
- oversight of databases, to name a few
Students may choose to specialize in a variety of areas, such as:
- consumer behavior
- public relations
- digital marketing.
What jobs are available for degree holders and what is the job outlook for the profession?
Available careers for those who have a master’s degree in marketing or an MBA in marketing include management positions in:
- sales
- public relations
- media buying
- marketing
- advertising and promotions
- social media
These positions are in a wide range of businesses and institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market for marketing managers is expected to continue to grow. The majority of marketing managers are employed in individual businesses and enterprises.
What salaries can I expect?
Marketing managers earn the highest salaries in the business, according to the BLS. In 2015, the median salaries for these position were:
- sales manager, $113,860
- public relations and fundraising manager, $104,140
- advertising and promotions manager, $95,890
- marketing manager, $128,750
Managers in computer systems and the financial investment field earn significantly higher pay. Actual salaries, of course, will depend on the applicant’s experience and the dictates of the job’s geographical location, among other factors.
What is the difference between a master’s degree in marketing and a marketing MBA?
A chief difference between the two degrees lies in the student’s prior academic background: a master’s degree in marketing is usually an MS degree. Applicants will have already earned an undergraduate degree in marketing. Applicants for a marketing master of business administration degree often have at least a few years of work experience in a business field. They do not always have a degree in marketing or related fields such as:
- finance
- business
- accounting
But they may have degrees in any other field.
The master’s in marketing degree lends itself toward more theoretical applications. Students are encouraged to complete a thesis and to obtain an internship. Students who want to obtain advisory positions in marketing are usually more oriented toward practical applications. They typically choose to obtain an MBA.
In other words, for applicants who have lots of work experience and who like the field in which they have worked, a marketing MBA would likely be your best choice. But if you are relatively new to the field and are drawn toward the research and analysis side of marketing, a master’s in marketing is the right path for you. Either degree will help ensure your future as a manager of marketing.
Why should I study online instead of in a traditional brick-and-mortar college?
Are you a college graduate who has been working in a career and who has adult responsibilities? An online degree program has enormous appeal. By pursuing your degree online, you will be able to perform your academic requirements alongside your usual day-to-day obligations. More and more, colleges offer decreased rates of tuition to those in online courses. You will also not incur expenses for transportation to and from school. If you are so inclined and choose to accelerate your course of study, you can even complete your degree in less time than is usual.
Certain online degree programs for a master’s in marketing or an MBA degree may include:
- an internship
- the requirement of writing a thesis
- a period of on-campus attendance
It is your responsibility as a student to make sure your degree program fits your particular needs.
How do I find the online master’s program that is right for me?
You may undertake a study of online colleges in the same ways that you would critique a traditional college, all without having to physically visit the campus. Important factors to ascertain are:
- an institution’s accreditation
- an appealing student/faculty ratio
- courses that fulfill the requirements of the degree
- tuition that fits your budget
All these points may be verified online.
Another important area of an institution’s suitability for your particular needs will involve technology support. This should be available around the clock, seven days a week. You should also be able to count on career resources after graduation.
Does getting an online degree result in a different diploma than the one given to a graduate of traditional colleges?
The diploma you will receive as a graduate from an online college or university is identical to the one bestowed at that school’s graduation ceremony. If you wish, you may attend the same graduation ceremony. The diploma does not contain the word “online.” In many cases, you will be taught by the same instructors in whose classes you would have studied at the traditional brick-and-mortar school.
How will I pay for an online master of marketing degree or MBA?
Typically, a master’s degree requires 18-24months of full-time study. Most master’s degrees require from 36 to 60 semester credits of study (or 60 to 90 quarter-credits). This equals 12 to 20 college courses. Public or state colleges and universities bestow most master’s degrees. All students, whether they attend online or brick-and-mortar classes, may apply for federal student aid and scholarships in the same way. In addition, some online colleges and universities offer the same course per hour rate to both out-of-state-and in-state students.
What kind of skills does online college require?
Being a successful online student utilizes the same set of skills that you would need as a student in a traditional environment. These are skills you developed while earning your undergraduate degree. You just need organization and discipline, since you will likely have other personal responsibilities, too. Most schools offer a short online quiz so you can learn whether you possess necessary technological savvy.
How were these rankings arrived at?
Several things were considered in reaching the 10 best deals on online MBA in marketing degree programs for 2019. Those factors are shown in detail in the bullet points below. If a tie occurs in rankings, the deciding element will be tuition cost. Other factors are student/faculty ratios and bonus points that may be added for offering the same tuition for everyone. In addition, where applicable, points are given for placement in nationally-recognized assessments of colleges and universities, as in US News and World Report.
Yearly tuition figures come from the out-of-state graduate tuition figures that are reported to the National Center for Education Statistics. This is an information clearinghouse of the US government. Student/faculty ratios and enrollment also come from this source. The per credit hour tuition rate that is included in the school review paragraph is taken from the website of that school. Imay show a discount from the rate reported by the government. Further information can be accessed here.
#10 – UNC Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Online MBA in Marketing
Points: 8
Enrollment: 29,468
Tuition: $26,854
UNC Chapel Hill is one of the oldest public universities in the US. It has a student/faculty ratio of 13:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing. It’s a 66 quarter credit hour program including coursework in business strategy and services marketing. UNC Chapel Hill charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $1,728.46 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#9 – Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
Master of Business Administration in Marketing Online
Points: 9
Enrollment: 20,381
Tuition: $22,633
Northeastern University was established in 1898. The school motto translates from Latin as “Light, Truth, Courage.” It has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing as a 54 credit hour program. Itt includes coursework in digital marketing and market-focused strategy. Northeastern University charges an online graduate tuition rate of $1,560 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
#8 – University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
MBA in Marketing Online
Points: 9
Enrollment: 38,145
Tuition: $12,794
The University of North Texas started as a teachers’ college in 1890. It has a student/faculty ratio of 26:1. The school offers an online MBA in marketing. It’s a 36 credit hour program including coursework in marketing research and financial management. The University of North Texas charges an online, graduate, non-resident tuition rate of $1,317.48 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#7 – Washington State University
Pullman, Washington
Master of Business Administration in Marketing Online
Points: 10
Enrollment: 30,142
Tuition: $24,656
Washington State University is a land-grant public research school that was established in 1890. It has a student/faculty ratio of 15:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing. It’s a 36 credit hour program, including coursework in operations management and business law. Washington State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $585 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
#6 – Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Online MBA in Marketing
Points: 11
Enrollment: 25,986
Tuition: $18,216
Central Michigan University’s school motto translates from Latin as “Wisdom, Virtue, Friendship.” It has a student/faculty ratio of 22:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing as a 36 credit hour program. It includes coursework in data analysis and sustainability. Central Michigan University offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $600 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#5 – Golden Gate University
San Francisco, California
Master of Science in Marketing Online
Points: 11
Enrollment: 2,656
Tuition: $17,550
Golden Gate University started as the YMCA Evening College in 1901. It has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. The school offers an online master of science in marketing as a 33 credit hour program. It includes coursework in economics and marketing management. Golden Gate University charges an online graduate tuition rate of $1,015 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#4 – Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, Texas
Master of Business Administration in Marketing Online
Points: 11
Enrollment: 5,156
Tuition: $15,408
Dallas Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and was founded in 1898. It has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing as a 36 credit hour program. It includes coursework in managerial accounting and business ethics. Dallas Baptist University charges an online graduate tuition rate of $959 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#3 – Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
MBA in Marketing Online
Points: 12
Enrollment: 14,649
Tuition: $9,630
Saint Leo University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university that was established in 1889. It has a student/faculty ratio of 16:1. The school offers an online master of business administration. It’s a 36 credit hour program including coursework in brand management and marketing innovations. Saint Leo University charges an online graduate tuition rate of $720 per credit hour. Individuals in the military services may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#2 – University of St Mary (Kansas)
Leavenworth, Kansas
Online Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Advertising Management
Points: 13
Enrollment: 1,409
Tuition: $10,764
The University of St Mary’s school mascot is Spiro the Dragon. It has a student/faculty ratio of 11:1. The school offers an online MBA. It’s a 36 credit hour program including coursework in the advertising industry in the 21st century and buyer behavior. The University of St Mary charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $615 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#1 – Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Master of Business Administration in Marketing Online
Points:16
Enrollment: 75,756
Tuition: $8,051
Liberty University was founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell in 1971. The school mascot is the Flame. It has a student/faculty ratio of 19:1. The school offers an online master of business administration in marketing. It’s a 45 credit hour program, including coursework in marketing research and consumer behavior. Liberty University offers an online, full time, graduate rate of $565 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
By Jennifer W. Eisenberg
September 2018
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This concludes our list of 10 great deals on an MBA in marketing online.