Most Popular Online Marketing Degrees
Our list of the most popular online marketing degree programs, like our entire site, only includes programs from institutionally accredited schools. It’s ranked by which schools graduated the most students with online bachelor’s degrees in marketing.
Key Takeaways:
- Western Governors University ranks #1, graduating 528 students from its online bachelor’s in marketing.
- Despite being last for popularity, Arizona State University Online delivers the strongest earnings, with median alumni pay of $80,113 for nutrition graduates.
- Southern New Hampshire University Online is the most popular online school overall, with over 154,000 distance learners enrolled.
See our methodology to learn more. After our ranking analysis, we spoke with a marketing professional, who shared insights on how students can leverage online marketing bachelor's programs to launch competitive careers in the field.
Most Popular Online Marketing Degrees
| Rank | School | Graduates | Annual Tuition | Median Salary | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University | 528 | $8,300 | $77,278 | 74% | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 256 | $9,900 | $60,150 | 69% | |
| Kennesaw State University | 237 | $4,770 | $73,514 | 89% | |
| Louisiana State University | 212 | $11,970 | $59,197 | 92% | |
| University of Florida | 199 | $15,000 | $75,201 | 92% | |
| University of Toledo | 159 | $10,593 | $62,802 | 86% | |
| Utah State University | 127 | $11,820 | $77,882 | 99% | |
| Colorado State University Global | 115 | $11,250 | $71,201 | N/A | |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | 88 | $14,970 | $61,355 | 71% | |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 109 | $21,692 | $67,435 | 100% | |
| Full Sail University | 83 | $26,417 | $41,129 | 61% | |
| University of North Dakota | 87 | $15,570 | $73,366 | 94% | |
| Northwest Missouri State University | 47 | $10,020 | $61,631 | 94% | |
| University of Memphis | 81 | $16,890 | $51,803 | 85% | |
| Arizona State University, Online | 52 | $24,780 | $80,113 | 93% |
What the Data Tells Us About The Most Popular Online Marketing Bachelor’s Programs
Online marketing degrees are thriving, with more schools reporting hundreds of graduates each year. We ranked our list by the highest graduate counts because we believe that this often points to the following benefits:
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Strong online ecosystems
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More active peer networks in the field of marketing
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Diverse course offerings
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And alumni visibility (which can pay dividends in job searches!)
There's also online enrollment to consider when talking about popularity. For example, WGU and SNHU sit at the very top for scale. WGU alone has over 135,000 online learners and awarded 528 marketing degrees last year, giving it a lot of momentum in this discipline. SNHU is even larger in total online enrollment (154,000+), though its marketing output is slightly smaller, at 256 graduates.
Below, we delve into other important metrics, too. Like our recommendation rates, which come from over 90,000 student surveys, making them one of the most authentic ways to measure student satisfaction at a given school. Read on to learn more about the programs and school on our list.
Where Marketing Bachelor's Graduates Earn the Most
Earnings data reveals important contrasts. At the top, Arizona State graduates report median salaries over $80,000, and Utah State sits close behind at $77,882. These outcomes place both in the top 20% nationally for marketing bachelor's programs, showing that their curricula align with in-demand, higher-paying roles in analytics, brand management, and strategy.
To compare with another school's results, the University of Memphis reports that marketing majors make a median pay around $51,803 after graduation. But even though this is among the lowest on our list, that doesn’t make it a weak program by any means. As of May 2024, this is still well above the national median across all jobs, $49,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (). This could suggest that graduates at Memphis may gravitate toward entry-level or regional roles where salaries start lower.
When you’re thinking about long-term ROI, it’s important to keep in mind that program outcomes don’t look the same everywhere. They can vary not just from one school to another, but also by region. Factors like local job markets, industry demand, and alumni networks can all play a role in shaping the returns graduates see over time.
Staying Engaged: Retention and Graduation
Completion is another useful aspect to consider when choosing the best online school. The University of Florida (UF) stands out with an exceptional 97% retention and 92% graduation rate, placing it in the very top nationally. Pair that with solid alumni earnings of $75,201 among marketing graduates with bachelor's degrees, and UF demonstrates that persistence translates into payoff.
Student Voices
Recommendation rates reflect lived experience. Utah State University (USU) boasts an astonishing 99% recommendation rate, while Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) achieves a perfect 100% score.
BBA vs. BS in Marketing: What’s the Difference?
One of the most important distinctions on this list is whether an online marketing program awards a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). While both prepare you for careers in marketing, the emphasis and outcomes can differ.
A BBA in Marketing situates you firmly in a business school context. You’ll study marketing alongside finance, management, and operations, building a toolkit that’s broadly applicable across industries. Examples from our rankings include KSU, U Toledo, UND, and U of M.
A BS in Marketing, by contrast, tends to focus more heavily on quantitative skills and technical application. Coursework often highlights analytics, digital platforms, and consumer behavior grounded in data. Schools like WGU, SNHU, USU, CSU Global, and UMGC all take this approach. You’ll find required classes in market research, statistics, and digital marketing strategy.
There are also niche marketing options that are more creative, like the UF, for instance, which offers a BS in Advertising with a persuasive messaging focus, while the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) runs a BS in International Trade and Marketing for fashion industries. These bachelor's programs in marketing are unique for merging technical marketing training with highly specialized industry contexts.
For students, the choice often comes down to career goals.
- If you see yourself managing teams, pivoting across business functions, or getting an MBA at some point down the line, a marketing BBA might fit best.
- If your interest lies in digital strategy, analytics, or campaign design steeped in plenty of data, the BS in marketing could be the best option for you.
- If you're drawn to niche sectors, like fashion or advertising, the specialized BS programs may deliver the most direct path.
Brandon George on Why Marketing Demands Both Creativity and Analytics
Director of Demand Generation & Content
"There is a perfect balance of creativity and numbers in marketing, which is great for people who really enjoy both the strategic and analytical side of things.
Get hands-on experience by:
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Setting up LinkedIn company pages for local companies
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Running small Google Ads campaigns and then tracking results with free analytics tools
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Record[ing] tangible results like click through rates, increased conversions and cost per acquisition to prove your expertise
From a business perspective, business degrees provide the theoretical foundation for the psychology behind how consumers make purchases, the methods used in market research, and the attribution behind campaigns that general business programs, or even communications programs, will not teach. And that specialized knowledge turns immediately into job-usable abilities that employers really do find valuable.
Core platforms such as Google Analytics (for tracking websites), Facebook Ads Manager (for social) and Mailchimp (for emails) will help to narrow this down, as well as lighter tools like Canva for design work. For job readiness upon graduation, a familiarity with these tools has immediate value on the job.
Some of the roles available to recent graduates include digital marketing assistant, content creator, social media coordinator and marketing operations analyst. These positions have promotion potential to Marketing Management and Strategic Planning Positions."
EXPERT TIP
"Keep up to date with industry news, reading from game-changing publications like Search Engine Land, joining marketing groups on Reddit, and checking updates from Google and Facebook. There are contemporary hot areas (AI automation, privacy legislation, attribution modeling)."
FAQs About an Online Marketing Degree
What Does an Online Marketing Degree Entail?
Online bachelor's in marketing degrees cover the principles of marketing, digital strategies, consumer behavior, and market research. Online courses typically cover social media marketing, analytics, branding, and strategic communication. By completing one of these online marketing degrees, which come with various concentration options, you can go on to become content marketing specialists, social media managers, and digital marketers.
Online marketing degrees are designed to teach students how to analyze and understand consumer behavior, trends, and purchasing habits. Their analysis then turns into marketing campaigns that promote products and services for target audiences. Marketing degrees are not only delivered online, but students also learn digital marketing techniques to promote products through social media, mobile apps, search engine optimization, and website advertisements. Additional subjects covered in an online marketing degree often include consumer analytics, brand identity, and mass communication.
In order to create the best possible branding and promotional materials, marketing majors must also understand business through sales strategies, business law, and managerial processes. For this reason, some students choose a business degree focusing on marketing. Regardless of the type of degree in marketing, students should ensure their school is accredited, which means an independent education agency has evaluated its programs and faculty to ensure quality. All online schools featured on OnlineU are fully accredited institutions.
Interested in a similar online degree program? Check out our pages featuring the best online digital marketing degrees.
Is a Marketing Degree a BA or BS?
A marketing degree online can be either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS).
BS programs in marketing tend to be more popular because the field involves a great deal of quantitative analysis, such as consumer purchasing trends, market research, and social media engagement.
BA degrees in marketing, on the other hand, may focus more on the overarching business strategies that rely on marketing to be more effective.
What Classes Do You Take in an Online Marketing Degree?
Marketing degrees are all about teaching students ways to communicate with consumers while providing opportunities for businesses to expand their reach in a given market. There are many ways this can be done, with different strategies for different types of companies. Therefore, students need to understand all aspects of marketing, from communication techniques to consumer behavior.
- Social Media Marketing: A social media marketing course is found in most marketing programs, particularly those focusing on digital outreach. Students learn to create effective communication strategies, including visual assets, advertisements, and influencer campaigns, on several social media platforms, using key performance indicators to drive their content.
- Marketing Research: Marketing research involves the study and analysis of past, present, and future customers. Students design research parameters, collect customer feedback, and analyze data. This course also engages students in real-world business scenarios, where they must develop marketing strategies based on their research findings.
- Consumer Behavior: Consumer behavior is related to marketing because it allows business managers to understand their consumers from psychological and cultural perspectives. Students learn to identify how potential customers are likely to interact with a product or service, with the hopes of developing strategies to persuade their purchasing decisions.
- Global Marketing: In this course, students explore marketing on an international scale, including its political, social, and economic aspects. A global marketing course benefits students aiming to work for large multinational corporations, where they learn to analyze foreign markets, solve trade issues, and develop marketing strategies for different types of cultures.
Another similar program to marketing is a communications degree, which is designed to be more broad in terms of scope.
What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Marketing Degree Program?
Marketing careers may vary by title, but many involve the same strategies when it comes to understanding and communicating with consumers. Marketing professionals are responsible for researching their customer bases and developing campaigns to increase their sales. Some careers, however, specialize in one aspect of marketing or another. While many graduates enter the workforce, others may pursue a master's in marketing or an MBA in marketing.
Below are some examples of careers for marketing degree graduates:
are the most common role marketing graduates seek because they can utilize their comprehensive understanding of the field. This position is responsible for identifying customers, developing pricing, advertising products, and monitoring trends in sales and the overall market.
focus on digital marketing through search engine optimization. They aim to increase website traffic for their business by strategically utilizing keywords to boost search rankings. They also need to understand basic programming to update websites based on their analysis of trending search queries.
ensure a business's image remains consistent and positive and matches its marketing initiatives. They're responsible for anticipating how the public will respond to company updates and developing strategies to avoid crises. They also respond to media inquiries, generate press releases, promote products, and create social media posts.
The role of is to compile research regarding sales, pricing, online searches, consumer behavior, and buying trends. These professionals act as statisticians to turn this raw data into graphs and charts for marketing executives to increase the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
How Much Money Can I Make With a Marketing Degree?
Marketing graduates typically make more than the median annual salary for all occupations. While some roles, such as PR specialists, earn approximately , marketing managers make more than double that — at around $77.42 hourly and a median salary of each year.
Can I Get a Marketing Degree Online? How?
Applying to college online for a marketing degree requires first-year students to submit their high school transcripts in order to prove they've taken the prerequisite courses. When filling out the school's online application, students may have the chance to present their college entrance exams. Other applications may include space for personal essays, which allows students to outline and explain their decision to pursue a marketing degree.
Marketing degrees are available 100% online, with coursework delivered through learning management systems. Professors lead classroom discussions through online chat rooms and give lectures through live video streaming platforms. Online degrees are respected as long as they are accredited, and online marketing degrees further help prepare students for remote work.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Marketing Degree?
Most marketing degrees require at least 120 credits, which can be completed in four years. This is a typical graduation timeline for full-time students. Part-time students usually take five or more years to graduate, although some programs allow students eight years to finish all required coursework. Part-time online degrees are ideal for students who have already started their marketing careers in entry-level positions.
Which Degree Is Best for Marketing?
Marketing students often get the most value from a Bachelor of Science in Marketing — such as those featured in our list above — because the coursework prepares them with the analytical skills needed to succeed in professional roles.
Alternatively, there are online business degrees with marketing concentrations that focus on developing hard skills in analytics alongside soft skills in communication and management. Some students may prefer digital marketing degrees because they explore the latest social media and website marketing strategies.
How Much Does a Marketing Degree Cost?
The cost of a marketing degree varies from school to school but can range from $9,000 to $16,000 each year for popular online programs. Tuition is lower at schools with affordable marketing degrees, with annual costs between $5,000 and $7,000. Even graduate students can save money through affordable master's degrees in marketing with yearly tuition rates as low as $4,600.
Are Marketing Degrees Worth It?
Benefits
- Marketing jobs are on the rise. According to , 246,200 marketing roles are expected to open between 2023 and 2032.
- Marketing professionals can have fulfilling roles in their community. For example, marketing graduates can work for nonprofits where they engage in fundraising for social causes and promote organizations that provide free services to those less fortunate.
- Marketing graduates often make successful entrepreneurs. Students become equipped with the skills needed to promote and manage a small business of their own.
Drawbacks
- Marketing students must learn to work in groups. Many marketing programs operate like a business, with plenty of cross-collaboration and teamwork.
- Marketing teams may be more likely to see layoffs than other departments. Advertising is often the first area businesses cut when executives need to reduce spending.
- Marketers work under tight deadlines. Marketing degrees help prepare students to complete projects on short timelines, but professionals work at a much faster pace when delivering campaigns to clients.
Marketing degrees are an excellent way for aspiring business professionals to learn how to promote products, services, and brands to potential customers. These programs blend management and communication skills with market research and data analytics techniques — the latter of which can also be developed in a data analytics degree. Graduates in marketing will enter an ever-growing job market ready to develop digital and traditional marketing campaigns for modern consumers.
Student Reviews of Online Marketing Programs
I have attended four brick-and-mortar schools over the years in an attempt to finish my Bachelor’s, and each time I would get frustrated with the slow pace and bureaucracy and “take a break.” I researched WGU obsessively for a few months before applying. They were responsive and applied almost all of my transfer credits, and now I’m a month away from finally having my degree. I have had an amazing experience so far. It’s funny that some people will look down on WGU, yet it’s the only university I’ve... Read More
Review Date: 10/15/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This school was perfect for me as a working parent and professional. It took me a long time to finish (8 years for my BA), but it was exactly what I needed. I have excelled at work, and have availed of many offers and opportunities only open to people with degrees. The fact that it is online is not for everyone, be sure you can self-motivate in order to have success and stay motivated. I didn't really have to bother with much in terms of customer service or tech support and majority of my books in... Read More
Review Date: 6/3/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This review is based on my online schooling experience with SNHU. This school is a wonderful option for people who want to earn a degree on their own time and need to be cost effective. If you think you can attend this school and just skim by, that might work for you for the intro level classes but when you are closer to your degree completion you MUST put in detailed effort and a lot of time. Anyone who discredits an online learning experience after 2020 does not have a progressive mind set. I have... Read More
Review Date: 10/15/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I love this school. You pay one price per term, so if you complete 4 classes or 20 classes in a term, the price is the same. This has saved me a ton of money and time. Also the weekly check-in calls with my mentor has kept me accountable and provided the encouragement I need! The only thing you need to get used to is that not every class is alike and you might need to contact your mentor to find all the resources.
Review Date: 12/10/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I've read a few other reviews and personally cannot relate to any of the negative ones. WGU is 100% online so you can't expect it to be anything close to traditional b+m learning. Of course the proctors have to look around your desk! They do this to make sure you aren't cheating so don't take it so personally (it's their job for crying out loud). I didn't have much trouble with my financial aid but that doesn't mean everyone else will have the same experience. I attended a b+m university before and... Read More
Review Date: 5/31/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Read the reviews, and you will quickly find one thing to be true, either this educational setting and structure work for you, or it does not. For me, it works, and it works amazingly. I have completed 45 credits in term 1 and plan on finishing my bachelor's degree this upcoming summer or possibly earlier. I was lucky enough to come across WGU while researching schools to use my Trade Act benefits that resulted from a layoff. Traditional brick and mortar colleges and universities would only allow... Read More
Review Date: 11/7/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I just went back a college to earn a higher credential. I started the Bachelor Completer program in August 2017, and will be completing it in September of 2018. I averaged 20-24 credits per quarter and took all of the CBA courses. (Test outs) it CAN be completed in 1 year...but it's a large time investment. Here is the BIG negative.........the entire program is writing papers. Seriously...it's all theory and you don't get hands on experience with any marketing software, programs or ANYTHING! I did... Read More
Review Date: 7/6/2018
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am currently enrolled in the Marketing Management program with WGU. I have attended two other colleges in my lifetime and I really had a hard time working full-time and balancing traditional schooling. This led me to WGU. I cannot speak for everyone, but as I read the reviews I do feel like there is a lot of complaints based on personal performance, rather than the actual experience at WGU. WGU can be frustrating. You are allowed to do as little, or as much as you'd like (assuming you are at least... Read More
Review Date: 9/19/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I just completed my Bachelor of Arts in Marketing degree from American Military University. I had transferred credits from another school and many (but not all) were accepted. I have previously earned an Associates of Applied Science in Music Technology from a brick and mortar school and was nearly finished with a degree in Criminal Justice from a different online school before I made the switch to AMU. Of the three colleges I've attended, AMU was the most challenging. The workload is appropriate... Read More
Review Date: 10/1/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
In many ways I love WGU. Despite a lot of upheaval in my life while I have been a WGU student, it has been flexible enough for me to be able to continue making progress. But I cannot at this time recommend it. It comes down to two basic problems I see in both my own experiences and those of friends and family (some of whom have graduated and some of whom dropped out.) First, the mentor connection is important. If you do not have a good match with your general mentor, it will be much harder to make... Read More
Review Date: 3/7/2017
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The University of Phoenix provided me with an option to complete my bachelor's degree while working full time and supporting myself. The pace and content of the courses allowed me to stay stimulated and competitive in my career field. I am currently enrolled to start my MBA at the University of Texas at Arlington and if it weren't for the University of Phoenix this would not have been possible and for that I am very grateful. I do think that the curriculum could have been more rigorous however for... Read More
Review Date: 7/17/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The CBU Online program was very hands on, and the professors really seemed to care about me as a student, and were supportive and helpful throughout my education. I loved that the schedule was flexible enough for me to still have a job while I attended.
Review Date: 8/30/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
WGU is not for everyone, but it has been exceptional for me. I have spent 30 years in my field, and so I have moved quickly through the program. It will not take me a full year to complete my degree. I have not "coasted" and there are no gifts. It is a challenging program. The biggest weakness is their math department. Their Algebra course make me consider quitting, it was so awful! But the rest of the courses have been great. I have learned some more advanced concepts in subjects I already know,... Read More
Review Date: 4/8/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I was a business major at WGU, studying Marketing Management. I graduated in 16 months with no prior college experience! All I had was a high school diploma! WGU has really made my dreams come true, always wanting a degree! I have seen some reviews of people saying "oh employers won't like that you graduated college so early because it shows that you 'took the easy way out'" when in reality, graduating early has helped me! They see that I am a hard worker and is very dedicated! Online school is not... Read More
Review Date: 7/26/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
A good degree on the resume. Worked for tech companies all over Seattle including Amazon with this degree. No regrets. It’s not as easy as showing up, you put in real work with all your down time while you’re working your job. Get your AA then transfer in.
Review Date: 3/6/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The best part about Western Governor's is also the worst part in ways and that is ability to work at your own pace. There were some semesters when I excelled and completed more credits then I needed to. Yet, there were other semesters where I struggled and could really have used the structure of knowing when I needed assignments complete. Instructors were accessible, but offered no help in the class unless you reached out for it. Classes typically consisted of reading the material, studying at your... Read More
Review Date: 8/22/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I selected Walden University because my mother was attending it for her Masters in Education. Although I had to adjust to online school, it takes a lot of dedication, the adjustment came easily. I did enjoy the set schedules for assignments that were posted for the entire class as I'm a procrastinator and need deadlines to help push me to actually completing anything. I liked my instructors, although sometimes I did feel a little overwhelmed with assignments. But, I always managed to get it done... Read More
Review Date: 9/20/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
University of Phoenix's online degree program allowed me to purse a dream while working full time. The ease of online learning was lots of work but paid off as I achieved an education that has helped me advance in my career. I am now about to purse an education through a graduate program.
Review Date: 12/15/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I enjoyed my time at Ohio University. There are a lot of resources available to help in your education if you seek them. The campus is beautiful with many great places to study. As with any college, distractions are also easy to come by. If you stay focused on the literature you are provided and establish a relationship with your professors the distractions fade into the background.
Review Date: 6/30/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am currently a business student at Edgewood. I love Edgewood as I have been here all four years and have had a great experience playing baseball. I wouldn’t change it for the world because of the people I’ve met. The business professors are outstanding. However, the business program is absolutely terrible. A year ago my counselor was telling me and my buddies a bunch of nonsense. We all thought he had a great plan to graduate us on time. I don’t have enough fingers to count how many people they... Read More
Review Date: 12/14/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No