50 Most Affordable Marketing School Programs

Updated on April 29, 2024

University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights affordable programs for marketing.

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Marketing is a vital part of any business venture. Without marketing, valuable skills and innovative products would never reach their target audience. Though we mainly remember marketing for the clever advertisements it creates, the field is far more broad and includes deep data analytics, web development, and even understanding where to embed a web address in a document.

To start the most successful marketing career possible, students need to find a marketing degree program that best suits their talents and desires. Furthermore, the program should be priced within their budget and offer the end goal of high salaries and a long, rewarding career. After all, an affordable degree does more than come with a low price tag, it also instills a solid foundation that will pay off for a lifetime.

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Top 50 Affordable Marketing Colleges and Universities

1

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State: $15,414
Net Price: $4,991
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 19,854
Undergrad Students: 15,896
Graduate Students: 3,958
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

2

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Score: 99.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,064
- Out-of-State: $18,944
Net Price: $5,068
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 16,426
Undergrad Students: 13,969
Graduate Students: 2,457
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

3

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Score: 98.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,627
- Out-of-State: $16,419
Net Price: $5,465
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 2,198
Undergrad Students: 1,712
Graduate Students: 486
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

4

Dalton State College

Score: 97.85

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,283
- Out-of-State: $10,189
Net Price: $5,532
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 22%
Total Enrollment: 4,527
Undergrad Students: 4,527
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $57,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

5

CUNY York College

Score: 93.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,358
- Out-of-State: $15,308
Net Price: $6,670
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 6,446
Undergrad Students: 6,199
Graduate Students: 247
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

6

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 90.98

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State: $21,480
Net Price: $7,259
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

7

California State University-Stanislaus

Score: 89.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,826
- Out-of-State: $19,706
Net Price: $7,555
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 10,154
Undergrad Students: 8,926
Graduate Students: 1,228
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

8

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Score: 89.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,327
- Out-of-State: $20,481
Net Price: $7,587
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 8,721
Undergrad Students: 2,465
Graduate Students: 6,256
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

9

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Score: 88.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,656
- Out-of-State: $4,656
Net Price: $7,899
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 43,023
Undergrad Students: 43,023
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

10

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 87.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State: $19,939
Net Price: $8,105
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 31,559
Undergrad Students: 26,434
Graduate Students: 5,125
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

11

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Score: 87.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State: $7,571
Net Price: $8,208
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 7,666
Undergrad Students: 5,643
Graduate Students: 2,023
Grads Salary: $56,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

12

Concord University

Score: 86.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,700
- Out-of-State: $20,600
Net Price: $8,464
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 56%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 1,748
Undergrad Students: 1,399
Graduate Students: 349
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

13

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Score: 86.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,855
- Out-of-State: $16,497
Net Price: $8,510
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 3,947
Undergrad Students: 3,236
Graduate Students: 711
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

14

South Georgia State College

Score: 85.85

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,970
- Out-of-State: $9,322
Net Price: $8,550
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 52%

Graduation Rate: 17%
Total Enrollment: 1,793
Undergrad Students: 1,793
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

15

Coppin State University

Score: 85.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,001
- Out-of-State: $13,789
Net Price: $8,562
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 24%
Total Enrollment: 2,006
Undergrad Students: 1,757
Graduate Students: 249
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

16

The University of West Florida

Score: 85.61

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,360
- Out-of-State: $19,241
Net Price: $8,609
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 13,521
Undergrad Students: 9,291
Graduate Students: 4,230
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

17

Eastern New Mexico University

Score: 85.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State: $8,843
Net Price: $8,702
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 5,106
Undergrad Students: 3,833
Graduate Students: 1,273
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

18

Marshall University

Score: 85.03

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,942
- Out-of-State: $20,294
Net Price: $8,756
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,691
Undergrad Students: 7,952
Graduate Students: 2,739
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

19

California State University-Northridge

Score: 84.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State: $18,975
Net Price: $8,936
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 37,579
Undergrad Students: 32,181
Graduate Students: 5,398
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

20

Purdue University Northwest

Score: 83.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,419
- Out-of-State: $15,620
Net Price: $9,162
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 8,911
Undergrad Students: 8,176
Graduate Students: 735
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

21

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 83.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State: $20,408
Net Price: $9,189
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 13,487
Undergrad Students: 11,833
Graduate Students: 1,654
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

22

Western Governors University

Score: 83.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,300
- Out-of-State: $8,300
Net Price: $9,207
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 156,935
Undergrad Students: 112,807
Graduate Students: 44,128
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 42:1

23

Utah Valley University

Score: 82.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,270
- Out-of-State: $17,830
Net Price: $9,346
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 43,099
Undergrad Students: 42,296
Graduate Students: 803
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

24

University of Washington-Bothell

Score: 82.64

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,559
- Out-of-State: $41,913
Net Price: $9,357
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 5,735
Undergrad Students: 5,192
Graduate Students: 543
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

25

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Score: 82.27

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State: $22,752
Net Price: $9,450
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,607
Undergrad Students: 5,636
Graduate Students: 971
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

26

The University of Texas at El Paso

Score: 81.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,744
- Out-of-State: $25,512
Net Price: $9,563
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 23,880
Undergrad Students: 20,165
Graduate Students: 3,715
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

27

Northeastern State University

Score: 81.4

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,513
- Out-of-State: $16,633
Net Price: $9,669
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 6,702
Undergrad Students: 5,242
Graduate Students: 1,460
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

28

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 81.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,879
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $9,711
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 29,592
Undergrad Students: 24,191
Graduate Students: 5,401
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

29

Clayton State University

Score: 80.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,068
- Out-of-State: $15,790
Net Price: $9,792
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 5,847
Undergrad Students: 5,283
Graduate Students: 564
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

30

University of North Alabama

Score: 80.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,990
- Out-of-State: $22,190
Net Price: $9,837
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 9,830
Undergrad Students: 7,214
Graduate Students: 2,616
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

31

Florida International University

Score: 80.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

32

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Score: 80.06

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State: $16,410
Net Price: $10,004
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 5,479
Undergrad Students: 3,022
Graduate Students: 2,457
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

33

McNeese State University

Score: 79.47

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,460
- Out-of-State: $9,960
Net Price: $10,154
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 6,230
Undergrad Students: 5,696
Graduate Students: 534
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

34

Kent State University at Stark

Score: 79.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,272
- Out-of-State: $16,744
Net Price: $10,177
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 48%

Graduation Rate: 12%
Total Enrollment: 3,446
Undergrad Students: 3,443
Graduate Students: 3
Grads Salary: $38,100
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

35

Harris-Stowe State University

Score: 79.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,442
- Out-of-State: $11,074
Net Price: $10,239
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 20%
Total Enrollment: 1,084
Undergrad Students: 1,084
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $55,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

36

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Score: 78.61

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,904
- Out-of-State: $23,212
Net Price: $10,370
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 5,848
Undergrad Students: 4,640
Graduate Students: 1,208
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

37

University of Illinois Chicago

Score: 78.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,338
- Out-of-State: $29,360
Net Price: $10,384
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 33,747
Undergrad Students: 21,807
Graduate Students: 11,940
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

38

New Mexico State University

Score: 78.46

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State: $25,271
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

39

Millikin University

Score: 78.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,670
- Out-of-State: $43,670
Net Price: $10,492
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 1,807
Undergrad Students: 1,708
Graduate Students: 99
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

40

Weber State University

Score: 77.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State: $17,084
Net Price: $10,525
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 29,914
Undergrad Students: 28,903
Graduate Students: 1,011
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

41

University of Washington

Score: 77.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State: $41,997
Net Price: $10,603
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 52,319
Undergrad Students: 36,213
Graduate Students: 16,106
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

42

Western New Mexico University

Score: 77.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,868
- Out-of-State: $14,354
Net Price: $10,676
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,378
Undergrad Students: 2,377
Graduate Students: 1,001
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

43

Kean University

Score: 77.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,426
- Out-of-State: $21,076
Net Price: $10,747
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,884
Undergrad Students: 10,845
Graduate Students: 2,039
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

44

Eastern Kentucky University

Score: 76.88

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State: $20,820
Net Price: $10,806
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 14,324
Undergrad Students: 12,072
Graduate Students: 2,252
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

45

Florida Gulf Coast University

Score: 76.76

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State: $25,162
Net Price: $10,834
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 15,969
Undergrad Students: 14,130
Graduate Students: 1,839
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

46

University of Michigan-Flint

Score: 76.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,014
- Out-of-State: $31,274
Net Price: $10,840
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 5,985
Undergrad Students: 4,609
Graduate Students: 1,376
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

47

Morehead State University

Score: 76.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,838
- Out-of-State: $14,706
Net Price: $10,991
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 8,807
Undergrad Students: 8,215
Graduate Students: 592
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

48

University of South Florida

Score: 76.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

49

Rhode Island College

Score: 76.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,986
- Out-of-State: $26,519
Net Price: $11,014
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 5,787
Undergrad Students: 4,719
Graduate Students: 1,068
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

50

Murray State University

Score: 75.94

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,708
- Out-of-State: $19,452
Net Price: $11,042
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 9,479
Undergrad Students: 7,679
Graduate Students: 1,800
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Why a Degree from an Affordable Marketing School?

The cost of a college degree is always a concern for students and their families. Everyone wants to be sure that their degree is affordable at the outset and then they need to know that their degree will pay off in the long-term. To stem the up-front costs of a marketing degree, students can look for scholarships or grants and always seek marketing programs at public colleges and universities. Students should also consider spending their first two years in a community college where tuition rates are cheaper and can thus bring down the overall cost of a bachelor's marketing degree. Marketing degrees can be affordable in terms of long-term return on investment.

One thing to keep in mind when pursuing a marketing degree is that it is a very flexible and useful degree. Nearly every sort of business or even non-profit organization needs to market itself, and so they are often looking for marketing professionals. Since there are a range of skills that can fall under the umbrella of marketing, there are many sorts of jobs available for graduates.

Those who specialize in market analysis and statistics may find that they have the most opportunities in the market, in general. That is, if they know how to work with Big Data, they will be in high demand from firms in fields that include finance, public health, and more. In fact, nearly every industry will have a need for someone who can function as a data scientist.

Other marketing students may excel at administrative tasks and will be indispensable when it comes to managing large marketing teams. Even creative marketing professionals will find that they can always find work helping people set up snazzy websites, creating logos, or retouching photographs for ad campaigns.

Choosing an Affordable Marketing College

When it comes time to choose an affordable college, there are many factors to consider. The first on everyone's mind is the up-front cost of tuition, books, and living expenses, among other costs. After this important matter is settled, the second most important factor is the long-term return on investment a graduate is likely to see. Each of these broad factors influence the other.

For the up-front costs, students can seek to lower those costs by taking a number of steps. The first way to easily reduce tuition costs is to attend a public college or university in one's own state. Keep in mind that just because several marketing degree programs are all in the same state system, they won't necessarily cost the same. Seek out the best marketing degree program in the state system for the lowest cost and best outcomes.

With that in mind, students can reduce costs and stretch their educational dollars by spending their first two years in a community college. These schools are typically cheaper than any others in their state system and, in many cases, they deliver a high-value education. This is partly due to the fact that these schools are smaller and support more advantageous student-to-faculty ratios, meaning that class sizes are smaller. Their instructors frequently have PhDs and are often dedicated more to teaching than their own research projects. Once students complete an associate degree, they will have completed their core college curriculum at a lower cost than from any other school.

To find the most affordable university to complete one's bachelor's marketing degree, students should look at the course offerings, including the opportunity to find internships. The marketing program should have the sort of focus they desire for their careers, and they should also investigate what sorts of options are available for a minor concentration such as statistics, management, computer science, or graphic art and design.

Finally, students should investigate the long-term efficacy of a degree from any school they consider. They should seek to find out what master’s marketing programs graduates enroll in, what sorts of salaries graduates report, and they should try to find out what sort of reputation the program has in the business community.

Find Online Marketing Colleges

Online Options for Marketing Programs

The online option for a marketing degree program should be a consideration for all students. These programs allow students a way to get started with a job in marketing and not disrupt their studies. While there are no set rules for how these programs are priced, many can offer more affordable tuition than their traditional classroom counterparts. On the other hand, since students can live anywhere in the nation or world and still take classes, every online degree program offers students a way to cut down their living expenses.

Since marketing is a field that is conducted mostly via computers, an online marketing degree is a great choice. If students need to conduct any sort of real-world experiments or assignments, those shouldn't require any special equipment, such as beakers and Bunsen burners. However, though online marketing courses have been around for many years, students still wonder if they can receive the same high-value yet affordable education as in traditional classroom degree programs.

In fact, studies show that online students reap the same outcomes as their classroom bound peers. Further, students in online courses find that they have easier access to instruction since their professors are a mere e-mail or zoom call away. Thus, every student has the same opportunity to receive attention and instruction. On the other hand, students will find that the online classroom doesn't allow for anyone to hide in the back of the room and avoid participation.

Are Marketing Programs in High Demand?

Since marketing is a vital part of every organization, high value and affordable marketing degree programs are likewise competitive and highly sought. Since the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median salary for marketing professionals exceeds $140,000 per year, and the projected growth rate for the field is 10% in coming years, it's easy to see why students are clamoring to enroll in a bachelor's marketing degree program.

For those students who are more inclined toward the analytical aspects of marketing, the demand grows even more. Those who can analyze huge caches of data, also known as big data, are eagerly sought by firms in all fields. These marketing professionals frequently have a master’s degree and are highly skilled in mathematics as well as computer programming.

For the less analytical, a creative approach to marketing may be more appropriate. Graphic designers and artists who can deliver the sorts of looks advertisers seek are always in demand. As a whole, their salaries aren't as high as their analytical peers but they can still do very well. Creative directors, for instance, can earn six figures. Creatives who pair their skills with an MBA or other traditional marketing degree may find that they are able to move up into a spot as a marketing manager.

All in all, marketing degree programs attract students who have a wide range of interests and talents. Thus, marketing degree programs with more wide-ranging offerings will attract more students.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Marketing?

A marketing degree can be the foundation for a successful career in a wide range of occupations. Having a deep knowledge of marketing can be a great basis for a career in retail management, for instance. After all, these professionals need to know how to attract customers and sell individual items from their inventory. A marketing degree will help a retail manager understand how to best conduct promotions for individual items and the best approach for in-store events that seek to bring in a large number of potential customers at once.

Marketing professionals can also work as independent consultants for firms who need to revamp their approach to sales. These consultants may have specific skills, such as market analysis. In fact, if a big data specialist has a proprietary, proven mathematical formula for sorting and analyzing data, they can often fetch high fees from clients who need a new approach for marketing their products or services.

Creative marketing professionals can also find work in a wide range of industrial settings. For instance, some graphic artists find that they are particularly good at layout, and so make a career working in programs such as InDesign or Scribus where they create pamphlets and one-page advertising for clients. Others may be more skilled at illustrations and put their talents to use creating fun graphics for clients, including logos and even cartoonish characters that become the face of a brand.

Later in a career, marketing professionals can move up into management. For the best chances of success, marketing professionals should earn a master’s marketing degree or an MBA with a concentration in marketing. In fact, an MBA is probably the best choice since that degree sharpens general business skills on top of providing the opportunity to enhance one's knowledge of marketing. On the other hand, a dual MBA program that pairs a master’s marketing degree with an MBA might be the best possible choice.

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Marketing Graduates Earn More After College

While marketing is not a field that requires any specific degree or license, marketing degree graduates tend to earn far more after college than their non-degreed peers. The added knowledge and skill that one acquires in a degree program are invaluable assets when it comes to solving problems and coming up with creative solutions. This may be especially true for those who work on the more analytical side of marketing. This is due to the fact that they need special training in statistics and computer modeling for big data.

When it comes to hard salary numbers, positions in management or those that require more technical skill clearly pay more than others. Payscale.com, for instance, reports that marketing associates earn an average salary of $47,000, with a low of $35,000. That position can conceivably be attained by someone without a degree, or only an associate degree. On the other hand, marketing directors earn and average salary of over $90,000.

Since the title of director typically indicates upper-level management, it's likely that those who reach that level have bachelor's, if not master’s, marketing degrees. Payscale finds that those with a master of science in marketing do earn more per year than those with only a bachelor's degree. For instance, marketing managers with a master’s marketing degree earn nearly $5,000 more per year than those with a bachelor's degree. While that difference may not seem like much, those with a master’s degree can often reach that level faster and while they are younger. Thus, their careers are bound to have greater success, assuming that they get their master’s degrees as soon as possible.

FAQs

What does a career in marketing look like?
Marketing careers can take many forms. Some are interested in the event side of marketing and may start out working as representatives at conventions or other events. Others focus on big data and parsing how products appeal to specific people in the market. Then there are the creatives who may focus on creating marketing videos, graphics, or other static forms of marketing whether on the web or in print.
Is marketing a well-paid position?
This depends on the firm and their marketing budget. Naturally, firms with more of a marketing budget can pay more than others. Salaries also depend on one's actual position and job type. Those data scientists who model troves of big data tend to earn more than a marketing associate. That said, marketing tends to be a well-paid, and fun, position to have in the world of business.
Will an MBA in marketing give a graduate a good position?
Yes, an MBA will help a marketing professional rise to the top of their firm. Not only does the degree reinforce one's knowledge of marketing but the first year of an MBA is spent diving deep into business topics such as management, finance, and human resources. That background will be helpful in landing a position in the C-suites.
How long does it take to get a bachelor’s or master’s marketing degree?
Generally speaking, it takes students between four and six years to complete a bachelor's degree. Master's marketing degrees take around another two years. However, there now accelerated MBA programs for undergraduate marketing students that take a total of five intensive years to complete. The accelerated MBA is perhaps the most time and cost-effective route, though these programs aren't particularly prevalent, yet.

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