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 $91,000, compared to $61,000 for someone with only an undergraduate degree in Marketing.

  • ADVERTISING SPENDING TO TOP $263 BILLION

    Advertising spending in the U.S. will increase at a steady rate over the next few years, with digital ad spending taking the lead. Industries will need people with marketing expertise to plan and evaluate advertising campaigns.

  • MARKET ANALYST JOBS WILL INCREASE BY 23%

    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 business plan and execute marketing campaigns.

Our Research

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing gives you the opportunity to learn advanced marketing skills while also providing a solid foundation in other business practices like management and entrepreneurship. An MA is a popular choice for students who want to change career paths, or gain new skills to help with career advancement.

To ensure the quality of the listed programs, we only included schools that have regional accreditation. Additionally, many programs are offered by schools that are accredited by business-specific accrediting bodies like 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).

We reviewed programs delivered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats, to provide options for all learning preferences and schedules. We calculated the Intelligent Score for each program by evaluating their faculty, flexibility, cost, course strength, and reputation, and rating them on a scale of 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best MBA in Marketing are highly regarded and a good value.(For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 56 hours to write this article
  • 129 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 314 education programs we compared

The Top 50 MBA in Marketing Programs

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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. They also tend to focus on basic and advanced marketing skills than an MBA, which also incorporates coursework in business ethics, leadership, and communication. 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, with an expected loss of 5,400 jobs by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some 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.