Why This Matters

  • AN MBA CAN INCREASE YOUR SALARY BY $30,000

    According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for an individual with an MBA in Marketing is $97,000, compared to $67,000 for someone with only an undergraduate degree in marketing.

  • OVER $300 BILLION PER YEAR SPENT ON ADVERTISING IN THE U.S.

    Total ad spending in the U.S. has risen steadily over the past 25 years.

  • MARKET ANALYST JOBS WILL INCREASE BY 19%

    One of the fastest-growing jobs within the marketing industry is market research analyst. These individuals monitor and forecast sales trends and gather consumer data to help businesses plan and execute marketing campaigns.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online MBA in Marketing programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of business-related programs.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student 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 MBA in Marketing programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the 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.

The Top 54 Online MBA in Marketing Programs

Best MBA in Marketing Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business
01
Best in the South
UNC Kenan-Flagler
01
Best Faculty
Arizona State University
01
Best for Nontraditional Students
Indiana University Bloomington
01
Best in the Southeast
UF Warrington School of Business
01
Most Interactive Cohort
USC Marshall
01
Most Customizable Program
Penn State World Campus
01
Best Private Research School
Rice University
01
Most Affordable
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
01
Best Public School
FAU College of Business
01

Santa Clara University
01

University of Arizona
01

University of Nebraska at Lincoln
01

Purdue University Global
01

UT Dallas MBA
01

Colorado State University
01

UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management

What You Should Know About This Degree

If you want to advance your career with a graduate degree in marketing, an MBA isn’t your only option. Many schools also offer Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) degrees in marketing, which may take more research or theoretical approaches in their instruction. At the exploratory stage, research other types of programs to determine which one will best suit your interests and career goals.

Like many industries, marketing has been disrupted by the digital revolution. Traditional advertising sales jobs are declining, and many of these job losses are offset by the rise in digital and social media marketing. Learning these skills and understanding the nuances of digital marketing is crucial for anyone looking to enter or advance in marketing. Review the curricula for programs to ensure that they cover these vital skills.

Marketing requires a diverse skill-set. In order to be successful in this field, you must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to problem solve and think critically, an aptitude for quantitative research and analysis, and a passion for teamwork and collaboration.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching MBA in Marketing programs:

  • Does this program have the specialization that I want? Within marketing there are various areas of specialization, including analytics, public relations, and social media. If you are considering a concentration in one of these areas, be sure to select a program that offers this type of focus.
  • Am I eligible for this program? MBA programs are typically designed for individuals who already have undergraduate coursework and/or professional experience in business. As you research programs, look at their qualification requirements to make sure you have the desired background for admission.

Researching the application procedures and deadlines for programs is another important part of the college search process. This will help you keep track of what materials you need to submit and what standardized tests, if any, you will need to complete. You can find this information on the school’s website or by contacting the admissions office.

Now is also a good time to think about financing your MBA. Talk to financial aid counselors about scholarships, loans, and assistantships. You can also check with your employer to find out if they offer any kind of tuition assistance benefits.