Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing

Marketing is not a new concept. Established companies like Nike and Apple have been using it to reach their consumers for decades.

But the rules for marketing are constantly changing. There are more ways to market now than ever, from influencers on social media platforms to short-form video content that supports a brand’s values.

Fittingly, the demand for marketers is on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% increase in roles for market research analysts and marketing specialists from 2022-2032.

The entry-level education for many of these roles is a bachelor’s degree in marketing. An online marketing degree may be preferable for those looking to earn a degree while continuing to work.

Explore the rest of this page to find out more about online marketing degrees, how much they cost and your earning potential after graduation.

Some marketing programs hold programmatic accreditation. The bodies that accredit marketing programs are often the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

All of the schools in our ranking meet our methodology requirements. Beyond that, some schools in our ranked list have programmatic accreditation from one of the bodies listed above.

An online bachelor’s in marketing degree provides knowledge and skills for the marketing field in an online format. The curriculum is usually comprehensive, covering principles and practices of marketing. Key areas of study include market research, consumer behavior and business. Graduates of these programs qualify for entry-level marketing positions.

There are several types of online marketing degrees at the undergraduate level. The most popular are:

Admission requirements for online marketing degree programs vary. They typically require a high school diploma or equivalent and official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Additional requirements may include a minimum GPA, standardized test scores or specific prerequisite courses.

Many online programs have technology requirements. Online students typically need a desktop computer or laptop, a working webcam and microphone, and a reliable internet connection.

An online marketing degree opens up numerous career paths. Marketing is an extremely valuable business tool across many industries, so the opportunities are vast. Some popular career paths for marketing students include:

You could also find yourself working in roles that leverage different parts of a marketing education. For example, skills in creativity, strategic thinking and delivering measurable results can be useful for media planners, public relations specialists and sales representatives.

The average online bachelor’s in marketing student pays $10,476 in annual tuition and fees. It’s slightly less than the average for all other fields of study, $10,903, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The cost of an online bachelor’s in marketing program can vary based on various factors. They include the type of school (public or private), location and if you are an in-state or out-of-state student.

The salaries for marketing roles can vary, but the job outlook is favorable.

According to the BLS, marketing managers earned a median annual wage of $140,040 as of May 2022. Advertising and promotions managers earned $127,830. The BLS projects these roles to grow by 6% from 2022-2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

Market research analysts and marketing specialists earned $68,230, BLS data shows. The BLS projects a 13% increase over the next decade for advertising analysts, market research analysts, market research specialists, marketing consultants, and search marketing strategists.

However, these figures are just averages, and actual salaries can be higher or lower. Factors that influence salaries include the specific role, industry, location and level of experience.

The best degree for marketing depends on your career goals and interests. A bachelor of arts (BA) or BS in marketing applies to most entry-level positions. A BBA or BSBA in marketing offer broader business perspectives. For higher-level roles, such as managerial executive, a master’s in marketing is often advantageous.

A marketing degree can be valuable for several reasons. They qualify graduates for careers in marketing, advertising, sales, market research, public relations and more. Median annual salaries for manager-level marketing roles are more than $138,000, while specialist and analyst roles are above $68,000. Marketing roles are also in-demand.

Most traditional and online bachelor’s in marketing degrees comprise 120 credits and take about four years to complete. The timeline often depends on if you are a full-time or part-time student. Some accelerated programs may reduce the time to complete a bachelor’s degree, sometimes in 2-3 years.