An online accelerated marketing degree may be the perfect fit for creative individuals with a knack for storytelling looking to turn their abilities into a rewarding career. Graduates can pursue careers such as market research analysts, a great entry-level position with a median salary of $74,680, or advance to roles like marketing managers, where more experience can lead to a median salary of $157,620.
These programs are ideal for students who are driven, adaptable, and ready to engage with the fast-paced marketing world. Accelerated timelines allow students to complete undergraduate degrees in two to three years and graduate degrees in about one year, providing a quick path to enter the workforce.
How to Choose an Online Accelerated Marketing Program
Choose your area of study
When selecting an area of study for this degree, you should assess your interests and strengths. Consider asking yourself which sector you feel most drawn to: data analysis, creative campaigns, or consumer behavior studies. Then, research different marketing fields, such as digital marketing, market research, brand management, and content marketing, to help narrow your scope.
You’ll also want to consider market demand and job growth projections, as not all marketing specializations are created equal. Think about questions like:
- Which sectors are experiencing significant growth?
- What skills are most sought after by employers?
- How do salary prospects vary across different specializations?
By evaluating your interests alongside industry trends, you’ll have a better chance of choosing an exciting specialization with promising career opportunities.
Research schools and programs
With your intended specialization in mind, you can leverage this information to better research schools and programs for your degree. You may come into this process with a few questions, but here are some more to help guide your research further:
- What are the specific course offerings and curriculum structure?
- How long does it take to complete the program?
- What are the faculty’s qualifications and industry experience?
- Are there opportunities for internships or hands-on learning?
- What is the program’s job placement rate for graduates?
You can find most of this information on program websites, but many students also benefit from attending a virtual open house or speaking with an admissions counselor.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application prep can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You can feel confident making a positive impression on admissions committees with thorough preparation. Start by researching each program’s requirements and creating a checklist to stay on track.
While some requirements may vary by program, many share the following criteria:
- High school transcripts or previous college credits
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Standardized test scores, if required
Enrolling in a test prep program can significantly boost SAT or ACT scores, increasing the likelihood of acceptance into competitive programs. Those applying to graduate programs will similarly benefit from a GRE test prep program.
Select your program
Once acceptance letters arrive, you may have a big decision to make. Revisit your initial research criteria, comparing each program’s standout features — such as the faculty you’ll learn from, curriculum, and hands-on learning opportunities — and align these with what’s most important to you. This is also the ideal time to assess the overall cost of attendance and compare this with any financial aid offered.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Financing your degree without insurmountable debt may seem impossible, but by strategically utilizing financial aid resources, you can avoid taking on a substantial debt burden.
Seek out scholarships and grants first, as these don’t require repayment. Next, consider work-study opportunities, which provide part-time jobs to help cover expenses. Additionally, explore employer tuition reimbursement programs, which can significantly offset costs if you plan to stay with the same company post-graduation. To keep your debt manageable, federal loans should be used sparingly.
Best 50 Accredited Online Accelerated Marketing Programs
How we rank schools
This list features the best online accelerated marketing degree programs in the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online marketing degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From an Online Accelerated Marketing Program?
An online accelerated marketing degree program offers a fast-tracked education for motivated and ambitious students. Undergraduate students will learn marketing fundamentals — including marketing research, consumer behavior, digital marketing, and strategic planning. Graduate-level coursework takes learning to a new level with topics like data analytics, global marketing strategies, and brand management.
By learning in an accelerated format, students can complete an undergraduate degree in as little as two to three years and a graduate degree in one year.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online accelerated marketing program
- Digital Marketing: A fundamental course common in most curriculums, this class covers online marketing strategies, including social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). Students will learn how to create compelling digital campaigns, analyze web traffic, and measure the success of digital marketing efforts. Practical projects often include developing and managing live campaigns.
- Consumer Behavior: Another standard course offering, this class encourages students to explore the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence consumer purchasing decisions. They’ll learn to conduct market research, analyze consumer data, and apply these insights to develop targeted marketing strategies.
- Marketing Analytics: Typically considered an upper-level class, this course uses data and statistical tools to inform marketing decisions. Participants will learn to collect, analyze, and interpret data to improve marketing effectiveness. Topics may include data mining, predictive analytics, and software tools for data analysis, providing a solid foundation for data-driven marketing strategies.
What Can I Do With an Accelerated Marketing Degree?
The career outlook for marketing graduates is positive, with significant growth expected, especially for entry-level positions. Marketing professionals typically see salaries well above the national median, making this a lucrative field. As businesses increasingly rely on digital and data-driven marketing strategies, opportunities are only expected to increase.
Career outlook
- Market Research Analyst — A popular entry-level job, graduates in this role collect and analyze data on consumers and competitors to help companies understand market conditions and make informed business decisions.
- Median annual salary: $74,680
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 13%
- New jobs projected: 94,600
- Marketing Manager — Individuals in this higher-level role are responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing marketing strategies to promote a company’s products or services, often leading a team of marketers. This position is typically obtainable with a bachelor’s degree and work experience.
- Median annual salary: $157,620
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New jobs projected: 34,000
- Digital Marketing Specialist — Another potential entry-level job is digital marketing specialist. This position is focused on creating and managing online marketing campaigns, utilizing SEO, social media, and email marketing skills to drive traffic and engagement.
- Median annual salary: $74,680
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 13%
- New jobs projected: 94,600
Online Accelerated Marketing Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do accelerated degree programs work?
Accelerated degree programs compress traditional coursework into a shorter time frame, allowing students to complete their studies much faster. In an accelerated marketing degree program, students take condensed classes year-round, often with more intensive curricula.
While completing degree requirements on a shorter timeline can be attractive, it’s important to note that these programs aren’t ideal for everyone. Check out our page on the pros and cons of these programs to decide if they are a good fit for you.
How long does it take to earn an online accelerated marketing degree?
Earning this degree takes two to three years for undergraduates and one year for graduate students, compared to four years and two years in traditional programs. Evaluating the total number of required credits is crucial, as this can vary by program and significantly impact completion timelines, especially for graduate degrees.
How much does an online accelerated marketing degree cost?
According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, an online accelerated marketed degree costs, on average, $27,673 for undergraduate and $20,513 for graduate tuition. These figures cover tuition only, so it’s important to budget for additional expenses like technology fees, software subscriptions, and textbooks, which can add up over time. Adding these extra costs into your budget can help give you a more complete picture of the total investment required for your education.