Why This Matters

  • $283 BILLION SPENT ON DIGITAL ADS IN 2018

    The amount of money companies spend on digital marketing is expected to continue increasing, raising the demand for individuals with experience creating and analyzing digital marketing campaigns.

  • 138K NEW RESEARCH ANALYST JOBS PREDICTED

    Within the marketing industry, the fastest growing job is market research analyst, with 23% projected job growth by 2026, as more and more companies use data and market research to drive decision-making.

  • FUNDRAISING JOBS WILL INCREASE 15% BY 2026

    A marketing degree can also lead to a job in fundraising for non-profits, political campaigns, and educational institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the economy will add 13,400 fundraising jobs by 2026.

Our Research

Our list includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Depending on the school, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Arts, or Master of Science in marketing. All of these degrees will prepare you for marketing jobs, but with a different focus and approach.

A number of different accreditations exist for marketing programs, including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Accreditations ensure that programs meet high quality standards and that your degree will be recognized by employers. Our list includes both accredited and non-accredited programs.

We evaluated each program’s reputation in the field, course strength, flexibility, and cost. Using this information, we calculated the Intelligent Score of each degree on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 66 hours to write this article
  • 149 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 290 education programs we compared

The Top 60 Online Marketing Degree Programs

Best Online Marketing Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
California Baptist University Online
01
Best Bachelor's Program
University of West Georgia
01
Best Alumni Network
University of Louisiana Monroe
01
Best for Transfer Students
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
01
Best for International Students
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Best for Brand Communications
OSU Online
01
Best Advisors
Fort Hays State University
01
Best Global Campus
Colorado State University Global
01
Low Tuition
Kennesaw State University
01
Most Affordable
West Texas A&M University
01
Best in the Midwest
Bemidji State University
01
Best for Management
Western Governors University
01
Best Self-Paced Program
The University of Texas at Dallas
01
Best Online University
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best Christian University
Liberty University
01
Best Faith-Based Institution
Indiana Wesleyan University
01
Best Public University
Northern Illinois University
01
Best Jesuit University
Regis University
01
Best Liberal Arts University
Concordia University, St. Paul
01
Best in the South
Webster University
01
Best in the Northeast
Pennsylvania State University
01
Best in the Southwest
Arizona State University
01
Best in the Southeast
Georgia Southwestern State University
01
Digital Marketing Emphasis
East Tennessee State University
01
Best Private University
Wilmington University
01
Best for Accelerated Classes
Huntington University
01
Good Value
Florida Atlantic University
01
Best MBA Program
University of North Texas
01
Best Certificate Program
Linfield University
01
Best Masters Degree
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business
01
Best Catholic College
Assumption University
01
Most Diverse Curriculums
Colorado State University
01
Best Study Abroad Options
Clayton State University
01
Best Scholarships
University of South Dakota
01
Most Affordable Christian College
Campbellsville University
01
Nationally Recognized
New Mexico State University
01
Most Flexible Completion Time
Old Dominion University
01
Best Student Support Services
Eastern New Mexico University
01
Fastest Completion Time
New England College
01
Best Technology Institute
Florida Institute of Technology
01
Best for Multiple Start Dates
Louisiana State University Shreveport
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Baker College
01
Best Professional Development
University of Massachusetts Amherst
01
Most Comprehensive Curriculum
The University of Texas Permian Basin
01
Nationally Recognized
Colorado Technical University
01
Integrated Marketing Focus
University of West Alabama
01
Most Specialization Options
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
01
Best in the Northwest
Washington State University
01
Leadership Emphasis
Saint Leo University
01
Industry-Leading Faculty
Golden Gate University
01
Best Cohort-Based Program
Bellevue University
01
Most Customizable
Franklin University
01
Best Faith-Based Institution
Grand Canyon University
01
Best Business Skills Focus
Brenau University
01
Best for Multiple Start Dates
American Intercontinental University
01
Best Student Associations
University of Houston
01
Most Experienced Faculty
University of Minnesota
01
Consumer Behavior Focus
Ohio Christian University
01
Best Christ-Centered Program
Regent University
01
Best For-Profit University
Full Sail University
01
Best for Veterans
Florida International University

What You Should Know About This Degree

While an online degree in marketing has advantages like flexibility and convenience, marketing is built on interacting with people. As such, most jobs want employees who have hands-on work experience, such as an internship. Most online programs do not require or offer internships. If you are already working in marketing, this likely won’t be an issue. However, for those just entering the field, this lack of real-world experience may present challenges when it comes to employability.

As many marketing-related jobs are growing, some are declining, most notably traditional advertising sales jobs. Industries that relied on print ad sales, like newspapers, are in decline, and companies are increasingly spending their marketing dollars on digital advertising. Understanding the current marketing and advertising landscape is crucial in determining how you will fit into the field and what type of marketing you want to focus on in college.

Marketing is a broad field that encompasses many different responsibilities. Therefore, in order to succeed in marketing, you need a robust skill set that includes verbal and written communication skills, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis skills, creativity, and the ability to collaborate and work as part of a team.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online Marketing programs:

  • Does this program have the specialization that I want? Some career paths require more specialized training in areas such as gerontology, informatics, or policy. If you want to concentrate in one of these areas, make sure that your program of interest offers the specialization you seek.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Some bachelor’s degree programs are designed for students who already have college credits. For graduate students, there may be prerequisite coursework or professional experience requirements. Be sure to research eligibility requirements before applying.

Once you have identified the programs that interest you, research their application deadlines and admissions requirements. This information is typically available on the program’s webpage; you can also contact the program directly.

Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. If you are currently employed, find out if your job offers any type of tuition assistance benefits.