Best Online Master's Degrees in Marketing
The best online master's degrees in marketing are offered by accredited institutions, ensuring quality and employer recognition. Each college on our list is institutionally accredited and ranked by the number of students who completed their marketing master’s degree online.
Key Takeaways:
- The University of Maryland Global Campus ranks #1, graduating 1,410 students from its online MBA in Marketing.
- William & Mary School of Education reports the highest graduation rate at 91%.
- Western Governors University is the most popular school among online students, with over 49,000 enrolled online at the graduate level.
See our methodology for details on how we rank degrees. Following our analysis, we interviewed Tess Botham-Barnes, a marketing professional, who offered advice on aligning schedules with program structures, integrating industry tools, and leveraging AI for future-proof marketing careers.
Best Online Master's Degrees in Marketing
| Rank | School | Graduates | Annual Tuition | Median Salary | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland Global Campus | 1,410 | $15,615 | N/A | 70% | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 225 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $11,466 | $65,956 | 69% | |
| Boston University | 169 | $66,670 | $92,936 | 90% | |
| Florida International University | 111 | $33,000 | N/A | 93% | |
| Full Sail University | 88 | $31,996 | $48,312 | 62% | |
| Liberty University | 71 | $10,170 | N/A | 75% | |
| Northern Illinois University | 49 | $18,195 | N/A | 88% | |
| University of Alabama | 47 | $7,200 | $61,440 | 95% | |
| Santa Clara University | 39 | $46,480 | N/A | 93% | |
| Texas Tech University | 23 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $11,070 | N/A | 92% | |
| William & Mary School of Education | 22 | $29,700 | N/A | 94% | |
| Western Governors University | 21 | $9,510 | N/A | 74% | |
| Franklin University | 19 | $12,060 | $66,566 | 85% | |
| Texas A&M University - Commerce | 16 | $7,506 | N/A | 91% | |
| Molloy University | 12 | $23,925 | N/A | 94% |
The Best Online Marketing Master’s Degrees: Diving Into The Details
In a field like marketing that thrives on networking, volume is a competitive advantage, especially at the advanced level of an online master's degree.
UMGC’s 1,410 MBA in Marketing graduates dwarf the others, signaling a massive online ecosystem where mentorship, job referrals, and collaboration thrive. Other online schools like SNHU (225 marketing graduates) and Boston University (169 marketing graduates) are also doing quite well for their marketing students.
Choosing a master's in marketing program online isn’t just about finding one that looks good on paper. It’s about finding the best fit that has proven itself with real students and data.
That’s why this list matters: Every marketing master's program here ranks by the number of graduates it produces. If hundreds — or in some cases, over a thousand — marketing students have already chosen the program you're looking at and succeeded, that suggests:
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Strong demand,
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Stability in course offerings,
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And alumni networks you can plug into right away.
Across the 15 programs, marketing graduate totals range from over 1,400 at UMGC to just over a dozen at Molloy, showing a wide range in popularity alongside success in this field. The median number of graduates sits in the low 70s, meaning most schools on the list represent midsized but active programs.
We also pulled in our own data to discuss below, including recommendation rates we've sources from over 90,000 student surveys. Pair those sentiments with graduation and retention rates, and you can begin seeing which marketing programs are the best for your needs.
Student Success and Recommendation Rates
At the master’s level, especially in marketing, you’re joining a university's ecosystem. High recommendation rates suggest that students across the institution found the school’s support systems, online infrastructure, and overall academic culture worth endorsing to their peers.
For marketing majors, this should translate into a sense of confidence that your master's program sits within an environment of reliable advising and student-centered practices. In other words, a strong rec rate signals that the entire institution has credibility and student trust, which bolsters the value of the degree you’ll carry into a competitive field.
Although high online enrollment doesn’t always guarantee good outcomes, on our list, many of the schools show both.
µţ±«â€™s 90% graduation rate and 95% retention rate put it among the top few percent nationwide, which means you’re likely to finish what you've started and not lose momentum.
FIU shows similar strength with a 92% retention rate and a 74% graduation rate, reflecting very sturdy support systems.
Overall, the recommendation rates for the schools on our list hosting marketing master's programs online are strong, with UA (95%), W&M (94%), and Molloy (94%) topping the charts.
MS in Marketing vs. MBA in Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Here's the short version, an MS in Marketing tends to specialize in marketing depth (often including the study of analytics, research, and digital execution), while an MBA with a Marketing concentration delivers courses on general management strategy but with a marketing focus, which may be better if you want cross-functional leadership and P&L exposure.
MS in Marketing (Depth-First)
MS programs dive deep into marketing-specific skills, often emphasizing analytics, research, or digital execution. UA builds one of the most technical tracks with five statistics courses and dual capstones, while TTU focuses on thorough research design and advanced methods. Others, like FIU and TAMUC, highlight applied digital marketing and tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau — best if you want a data-driven career.
MBA in Marketing (Breadth-Plus-Focus)
MBA programs cover management foundations first, before delving into marketing specifics, which may be a good foundation, depending on your career journey. UMGC exemplifies this with its online-first MBA offering Marketing concentrations alongside options in tech and cybersecurity. Santa Clara blends MBA knowledge with Silicon Valley immersion and residencies, appealing to those aiming for cross-functional leadership in fast-moving industries.
Program Strengths Across Our List of Online Marketing Master's Degrees
Across these marketing graduate programs, a few big throughlines emerge in terms of the program-related details. Some schools differentiate themselves by how they execute on those ideas.
Speed and flexibility show up in multiple formats.
FIU lets you choose a 10- or 16-month track (with an optional hybrid option for occasional face-to-face), while UMGC — one of the earliest MBA programs built specifically for online delivery — pairs a streamlined 30-credit plan with rolling starts and digital badges you can surface to hiring managers. WGU goes even further with competency-based pacing; you advance as soon as you master the material and can stack embedded Google/HubSpot credentials along the way.
For analytics and tech-forward training, some lean in hard.
UA threads a five-course statistics sequence into the marketing degree and requires two separate practice builds (a client project and a capstone). This program truly pushes beyond surface-level dashboards. Then there's TAMUC, which teaches the tools employers actually name — Python, SQL, Tableau, and SAP — linking customer-level models to channel-level measurement. Meanwhile, NIU adds the confidence of AACSB business accreditation on top of a focused digital marketing curriculum, and TTU runs a lockstep, research-methods-driven MS that emphasizes experimental design, advanced statistics, and qualitative inquiry.
Industry immersion and portfolio work are another pattern.
BU bakes global experiences into online courses via partner universities overseas and has you build a live ecommerce site. In a similar vein, SCU leverages its Silicon Valley footprint (faculty and alumni across companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla) and includes on-campus residencies to deepen relationships. And then Full Sail emphasizes practice-first learning with advisory boards and creative-tech infrastructure designed for project-based outcomes.
“You Are Your Most Important Product”: A Marketing Professional’s Advice for Master’s Students
Marketing Professional (Master of Marketing)
"Studying a postgraduate degree completely online is no small feat, so you want to make sure that it completely aligns with what you're looking for. The most important consideration is whether the degree aligns with your schedule. Many programs will market themselves as 'for professionals', but then will have core subjects throughout the workday, meaning that you need to choose between work and class. Look into class times and ensure they align with your work and study needs!
Studying a postgraduate degree completely online is no small feat, so you want to make sure that it completely aligns with what you're looking for.
Since the beginning of my degree, I have been working full-time. This is the only way to put what you have learned into practice. Much of the learning you will go through in your Master's in Marketing will be theory-based, and if you aren't working in the industry, you won't be able to put this theory into practice.
Whilst working full-time might not be feasible for you, try to look into internships or part-time roles while you complete your studies. Alternatively, if the course load is too heavy, I recommend looking into programs on LinkedIn Learning to put your theory into practice.
With AI usage becoming increasingly commonplace, you need to prioritise understanding its applicability in the marketing landscape. This doesn't mean getting ChatGPT to write your assignments. More so, looking into AI campaign optimisation, AI for storyboarding visual campaigns, and AI for producing campaign ideas.
If you need to take elective subjects for your degree, don't just choose any subject randomly. Try to think more holistically.
What are you interested in?
What will help advance your career in marketing?
For example, working in the field has opened my eyes to the importance of project management skills. As a result, I am taking my final elective as a Project Management in Practice class. You are paying for your degree and classes, so you want to ensure you can turn each class into a money-making opportunity.
You are your most important product, so you want to make sure that you can do either of two things: have the skills to make yourself money, or have the skills to make an organisation more money."
EXPERT TIP
"I recommend familiarising yourself with industry tools even before you graduate to get a head start. For example, taking courses around Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and similar tools will give you a head start and allow you to put your learning into practice."
FAQs About Online Master's Degrees in Marketing
What Is An Online Master’s In Marketing?
An online master’s in marketing is designed for working professionals currently in the marketing field or those looking to explore a new career path. This master’s degree is typically offered in two ways: a Master of Science or an MBA. An MS in Marketing focuses on the quantitative aspects of marketing, such as metrics and analytics, while coursework within an MBA in Marketing prepares students to assume leadership roles across the marketing field.
The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines marketing as “the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”
In simpler terms, marketing is the creative and strategic process by which a brand, individual or entity attempts to capture a consumer’s attention, create engagement, and ultimately influence them to take a specific action.
While the global origins of marketing date back to ancient Egypt around 3000 BCE, U.S. origins are far more recent. In fact, it wasn’t until the country’s first print newspaper in 1704, The Boston News-Letter, that an ad appeared in print. Fast forward some 300+ years to the present day, and we live in a society dominated by advertising and marketing, some of which we’re consciously aware of and some of which we aren’t. It’s anywhere and everywhere and there’s simply no stopping the machine that’s become marketing as we know it in the 21st century.
In terms of the employment outlook, the (BLS) projects that through 2034, advertising, promotions and marketing manager positions will grow by 6%.
What Makes An Online Master’s In Marketing Different From A Bachelor’s Degree?
In pursuing an online master’s in marketing, you’ll play a lead role in helping to shape the future of marketing in today’sever-evolving digital business landscape. To earn a marketing graduate degree, you must complete a curriculum specifically designed to help you prepare for a career in marketing.
However, marketing is a field with seemingly endless, constantly evolving niche areas.
Whereas the curricula in most bachelor’s marketing degree programs are designed to provide students with a more all-encompassing education in business and marketing (in addition to a core curriculum), the courses in a master’s degree program are more specific. For example, where your undergraduate curriculum likely included introductory courses, like Marketing Research, graduate courses around the topic might include such specificity as Environmental Marketing Research or Social Media Marketing, for example.
Master's coursework is more targeted and niche in order to help expand your general knowledge base and provide you with opportunities to focus on your desired area of interest within the program.
Online programs have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional, on-campus programs and are well-respected among marketing professionals.
How Long Will It Take To Earn a Master’s Degree in Marketing?
While no two programs are the same, there are generally two main tracks:
1. One is geared toward working professionals who want to earn a master’s degree in marketing but don’t have time outside of work to take a full-time courseload. Most programs aimed at working professionals last anywhere from 18-24 months, depending on the number of credit hours taken each term.
2. Most institutions offer a second program track for traditional students looking to enroll full time and complete the program in a shorter period. Full-time students can usually complete coursework within 10-15 months, depending on the exact number of credits required.
In considering different colleges and universities for your graduate degree, you’ll want to be sure and find out whether or not an institution requires separate admissions applications for each program track offered or if one application covers them all.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for Online Master’s Programs in Marketing?
Understanding admissions requirements often varies from institution to institution. There are a few standard admissions requirements you can expect to see on one or more applications you complete.
Below are the common admissions requirements:
- Undergraduate transcripts from an accredited college or university — ideally from a bachelor's of business, communications, marketing, or a related field
- Online admissions application, which may include an application fee
- Minimal GPA of around 3.0
- One of two admissions examinations (if applicable) — Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or admissions essay
- Professional work experience
However, it’s important to note that many institutions have started moving to a more holistic admissions process in which test scores, among other things, are optional.
What Courses Do You Take In A Master’s In Marketing Program?
The courses and curriculum of a master’s degree in marketing program are intended to provide students with a greater depth and breadth of foundational marketing knowledge and opportunities to focus on different niche areas.
While core coursework may vary slightly from one program to the next, especially between the two most common types of master’s degree programs in marketing — the Master of Science (MS) in Marketing and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing — there are standard courses across programs.
Below are some examples of core classes in marketing at the master's level:
- Consumer Behavior: This course involves a journey into the minds of consumers in order to learn how marketing impacts each stage of consumers' decision-making process. Understanding consumer behavior will help you think like a consumer and a marketer.
- Digital Marketing: Like everything else in life, marketing has gone digital. Consumers spend a great deal of time online, and digital marketers are well aware. In a digital marketing course, you’ll learn how modern marketing has become remote and how it can help businesses.
- Integrated Marketing Communication: An integrated marketing course will teach you how to effectively apply strategic messaging in today’s digital environment. You’ll learn integrated marketing communications theories and see how they’ve been used in different fields.
- Marketing Research and Analytics: One of the greatest keys to creating a robust and impactful marketing campaign is to conduct meaningful research and carefully analyze the results. A marketing research and data analytics course will teach you about the different types of research you can conduct and how to use analytics to ensure your campaign's success.
- Social Media Marketing: Once considered an industry niche, social media marketing has now become more of an industry standard. Between the multitude of social media platforms, the growing number of users and the marketing analytics capabilities, a strong social media marketing strategy has become necessary for marketers.
What Can You Do With a Marketing Master's Degree?
Minus a few exceptions like doing surgery, practicing law, being a pilot, etc., there’s not much you can’t do with a master’s degree in marketing.
Effective marketing has become synonymous with business success in the 21st century.
One of the more recent marketing roles created to meet the needs of the digital business world is a digital marketing specialist. Professionals in this role provide their expertise in growing a company’s digital marketing efforts. In addition, digital marketing specialists closely follow the performance of digital marketing campaigns, explore new opportunities in the digital space and play a role in social media marketing initiatives. Achieving an online marketing master's degree may give you a leg up in this burgeoning field of remote work, as it demonstrates your digital prowess.
We've also listed some other popular career paths for professionals with a master’s in marketing:
oversee a business or organization’s marketing efforts, including the messaging and imaging portrayed to current and prospective consumers, the alignment of marketing and corporate strategy, the effectiveness of different marketing campaigns, and leading marketing teams. A master's degree is not required to enter this role, but often, experience in the field is what counts.
Research and analysis play a vital role in marketing. have specific skill sets which allow them to conduct marketing research and analysis at every stage of a marketing campaign. They help their marketing teams craft data-driven and strategic marketing decisions based on research findings, case studies, performance analysis, predictive analysis and a host of other marketing research tools. It's important to keep in mind that it's possible to begin this career with a bachelor's, but some research positions require a master’s degree.
What Professional Organizations Should Marketing Master’s Students Join?
To aid your job search, become certified, participate in trainings, and expand your network of peers, you should thinking about joining some communities in the marketing world:
- American Marketing Association ()
- American Advertising Federation ()
- e-Marketing Association ()
- Internet Marketing Association ()
- Mobile Marketing Association ()
Is a Master’s Degree in Marketing Worth It?
It can be stressful trying to figure out whether it’s worth it to pursue a master’s program in marketing online. Beyond the notion that a earning a master’s degree will lead to an increase in salary over time, there are a number of other factors to consider:
- If you’re working full-time, with or without a partner and children, will you actually have the time to commit?
- When will you have time each day and week to set aside for lectures, readings, assignments, projects, etc.?
- Considering the marketing vertical in which you currently work or aspire to work, is there a tangible benefit to earning a master’s degree in marketing?
- Would you be better served by simply putting yourself out there, individually, to gain new professional, resume-building experiences?
These are a few examples of the types of questions you’ll want to ask yourself as you continue the decision-making process.
Also, consider the following pros and cons:
Potential Advantages
- More job opportunities: Receiving a formal education in an up-to-date master’s program in marketing could lead to new professional career paths. Additionally, holding a master’s degree in marketing, as opposed to simply an undergraduate degree, could make you a more attractive job candidate than those who don’t have a higher degree.
- Networking: In today’s business environment, having a strong professional network can help open doors that might remain closed otherwise. By pursuing a master’s degree in marketing, you can grow your network of colleagues to include fellow students, respected faculty members, and industry professionals.
- Teaching at the collegiate level: Earning a master’s degree would keep you on the path to potentially teach at the university level, especially if you went on to pursue a doctoral degree in marketing or a related field.
Potential Disadvantages
- Expense: If you’re not in a position to pay tuition and fees out of pocket, the burden of thousands of dollars in student loan debt might not be worth the trade off. Further, scholarship availability likely varies from one program to the next.
- Constant change: The marketing landscape, particularly in regard to digital marketing, seemingly evolves each day. You must be willing to be a lifelong learner in this field, as it requires constant change.
- Master's not required: A master’s degree in marketing is not a requirement for the majority of industry jobs. Obtaining a professional industry certification from an accredited agency may hold as much weight to a current or potential employer as an actual master’s degree.
- Time commitment: Thinking about your current situation in life, considering things like your current job, relationship, dependents and other commitments, adding another time-consuming element to your life may create more stress than benefits.
The decision concerning whether or not to pursue a master’s in marketing is a highly individual one, as you must consider whether current personal and professional commitments in your life would allow the time and energy required to earn an online master’s degree in marketing.
Student Reviews of Online Marketing Programs
I am extremely upset with this program. First, my student advisor was great! She was very helpful and knowledgeable, but financial aid denied my Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal. This means I cannot get financial aid for my FINAL CLASS in the Master's program. With their monthly payments, it would equal OVER $700.00 per month. Do they just assume I don't have other bills to pay? This is crazy. Maybe it is my fault for obtaining one C in a class, but really? I take 2 years of my life, and cannot... Read More
Review Date: 7/7/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
My experience with the online IMC program at Georgetown University began in 2017, and has been tremendous thus far. Staff is readily available via phone or email and Jacky Yoo, the IMC program director, is both approachable and helpful. Before starting the program, two concerns were: the age of the IMC curriculum and missing face time with teachers and students due to online enrollment versus on-campus enrollment . After researching and interacting with some professors, there was no doubt that I... Read More
Review Date: 6/20/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
West Virginia University's Integrated Marketing Communications online program provided a fantastic graduate experience because your advisors and professors dedicate themselves to setting you up for success. Before this program, I had never taken an online class before so learning how to navigate an entirely online program was daunting. My advisor walked me through the whole program and online learning environment which calmed my nerves and set me up for success. Once the classes begin, my professors... Read More
Review Date: 12/8/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Texas A& M University - Commerce is absolutely phenomenal. I picked from a myriad of different schools and somehow chose TAMUC. The instructors are diligent and knowledgeable, the Financial Aid office is warm and welcoming and the southern hospitality was at an all time high. The degree program was rigorous enough to make me feel like my degree was worth the money but I still felt I was learning and retaining information at a great pace. The classes I took connected my undergraduate learnings and... Read More
Review Date: 8/23/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I attended CTU and achieved my Bachelors degree. I am now enrolled in there Masters Program for Project Management. I've read reviews about there poor administration but I have had nothing but positive experiences. I actually viewed there administration as a strength. I deal with a man named Brian Johnson who has done a great job with communicating with me. As for the course work, I like how the program is ran with there Intellipath program. The programs are not easy and do take time, but the classes... Read More
Review Date: 5/15/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The online Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) is a flexible program with very helpful advisers to help students maximize their course load in a way that works for them. The program can be completed in as little as 2 years, with the option to extend the completion period if desired. While they recommend certain courses to be taken concurrently, students may opt to simply take one course at a time on a part-time basis for financial reasons or otherwise. Professors are generally... Read More
Review Date: 3/8/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Hello! My name is Davina Reid and I am currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University. After six months of searching for an online graduate Marketing program, I can confidently say I made the perfect decision to pursue my education with SNHU! From the application process to the courses, SNHU has been extremely helpful and supportive of my graduate school journey. This was my first time taking online courses so initially I was nervous, but the advisors and instructors made the process as... Read More
Review Date: 12/6/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Taking classes online was more convenient for me because of the cost, I do not have to drive to and from campus. I also attended this university in the past and earned an associate and bachelor degrees.
Review Date: 3/20/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I'm attending BU's online Master's program. It affords me the ability to get a quality education while living and working across the country. My Professors are knowledgeable in the field they're teaching. Each have been easily accessible and the networking opportunities with fellow students is a plus. On the other hand, I would like more of an opportunity for the program to offer more career support.
Review Date: 3/19/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros: - Classes are available frequently making it easy to go at your on pace - Easily accessible for distance learners - Great support by instructors and staff Cons: - Not many financial aid/scholarship opportunities for grad students
Review Date: 7/9/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have enjoyed my first year of graduate studies at WTAMU's College Of Business. Returning to school was very nerve racking for me, but the advisers and faculty are very accommodating to those with families and non-traditional school hours. I wish more of the MBA program was exclusively an online program to better accommodate my schedule, home life, and study habits. WTAMU is working hard to make many improvements on and off the campus; increasing campus landscape and attractiveness, more student... Read More
Review Date: 4/17/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have been learning a lot but the school needs to better its career services and financial aid help. They act like they have help but every time I use it I always wish I hadn't and gone to a different school. I have reached out to other who have gotten an MBA from Walden and they say it did help their career but they too felt there needs to be more help from Walden on the financial aid and career services
Review Date: 10/11/2014
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The commitment of the staff to make sure that I succeed in every facet of my schooling, I can't even imagine how i could do that with out the help.
Review Date: 3/3/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
APU/AMU is great!! Because I am in the military I travel a lot so taking an online class is a bonus.
Review Date: 3/15/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The largest factor was the marketing program; and the familiarity of the graduate program as a whole.
Review Date: 6/17/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros are online convenience. Cons are bachelor's program involves ONLY working in teams for each class. Team work is not productive and students do not seem serious.
Review Date: 5/6/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros: the affordability allowed me to pursue the degree and follow my dreams. The professors are knowledgeable and understanding of my work and live obligations. The cons are it can sometimes seem formulaic with each course.
Review Date: 3/29/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Being an online student is the best! I love not having to commute to complete my degree.
Review Date: 6/24/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Having attended a physical university some years ago I know what is expected of me and what I expect from the instructors. CTU exceeded my expectations. My life is much richer because of the courses that I took and the support received from not only the professors but advisors and higher level VIPs at the university on site campus. I am currently in the Doctoral degree program and feel that when I complete the course in 2017 I will be highly qualified to perform in my chosen field.
Review Date: 2/17/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I love the school and it's one of the few online programs that actually provides me with an education that I can use immediately in my professional life. I wish they were a little bit better at helping students with a lot of financial need but otherwise it's an awesome school.
Review Date: 8/8/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No