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20 Best Grad Schools with Online Master’s in Marketing

Written by Grad School Center Team We are a passionate team of experienced educators and advisors at GradSchoolCenter.com, dedicated to guiding students through their graduate education journey. Our experts, with advanced degrees across various disciplines, offer personalized advice, up-to-date program information, and practical insights into application processes.

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Updated: July 12, 2024, Reading time: 28 minutes

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In the last few decades, the field of marketing has been constantly growing and evolving, especially with the development of the latest tools, technologies, and platforms. This popular field is exciting and highly lucrative, with the median annual wage of marketing managers projected at $158,280 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While many entry-level jobs in marketing do not necessarily require applicants to hold a marketing degree program, having one can still boost one’s credentials and earning potential. For those who want to advance in their career paths and work with industry leaders in higher positions, earning a master’s in marketing is worth considering.

It can provide interested professionals with a solid foundation to help them grow in their future roles as marketing managers, marketing analysts, market research analysts, and more.

A marketing master’s program often covers all facets of marketing, including advertising, promotion, big data, social media, sales, consumer behavior, digital marketing, and content marketing, among others. Some may offer these areas of study as specialized concentrations to allow students the opportunity to tailor their master’s education according to their professional needs and goals.


Additional Resources:


Overview

There are numerous universities and colleges in the country that offer master’s in marketing programs. Some are even available online. This means that working professionals can still pursue and earn online graduate business programs even with their busy schedules.

Whether students are looking to advance their careers, switch to a new and exciting field, or pursue academic positions, an online master’s in marketing sounds like the ideal degree.

Methodology

The modern marketing landscape is highly dynamic and ever-evolving. Any messaging that does not cut it is quickly lost in a sea of noise, and in order for students to be effective marketing professionals, they must also choose the programs that best develop crucial skills and mindsets.

We can help you with that choice! Our list of the best graduate schools with the best online master’s in marketing programs was selected based on the following criteria:

Read our Methodology page for information.

Grad School Center is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

20 Best Online Master’s in Marketing Programs

20 Best Online Master’s in Marketing Programs

Boston University

Boston University

Boston, MA

Online Master of Science – Global Marketing Management

Spread out across three campuses, the University of Boston houses more than 36,000 students in 17 schools and colleges. It offers over 300 degree programs, many of which are designed for working adults and available fully online.

Standout Features:

The online master’s program in marketing offers opportunities for financial aid, allowing students to afford their graduate education. This includes scholarships available for their benefit such as the WSIA Education Foundation Scholarship and the Edgar B. Pitts Scholarship. 

Did You Know?

Taking pride in its high-quality distance learning programs, Boston University’s online degrees are designed by the Distance Education office and the faculty members from the university’s schools and colleges. The Distance Education office is composed of instructional designers, media producers, and support staff specializing in online education.


University of Alabama

University of Alabama - Online

Tuscaloosa, AL

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Alabama has been providing distance education to students for decades. The advances in technology mean that online programs are more accessible and convenient than ever. Currently, the university enrolls more than 38,000 students.

Standout Features:

Students in this online degree program have the option to take on the generalist marketing track or opt for a specialized education that will allow them to tailor their courses according to their career goals. This includes concentrations in Marketing Analytics and Digital and Social Media.

Did You Know?

The University of Alabama received recognition as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards for the sixth time in eight years. Six faculty members received awards from Fulbright for educators to teach and research around the Globe.


College of William & Mary

College of William & Mary - Raymond A. Mason School of Business

Williamsburg, VA

Online Master’s in Marketing Degree

Recognized as the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, the College of William & Mary has more than 300 years of innovation and excellence in its history. Considered among the top business schools in the country, William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business has been developing business leaders through world-class education and opportunities for mentorship and experiential learning.

Standout Features:

Trained as marketing leaders, students in this graduate program can expect to explore and master three competencies. This includes Analytics & Insights, Marketing Innovation, and Integrated Marketing Communications, effectively providing students with a well-rounded marketing education fit for leaders in the field.

Did You Know?

The Raymond A. Mason School of Business puts emphasis on equipping students with essential business skills and knowledge in its career-defining programs. This is demonstrated by the 26% increase in salaries on average by MBA graduates upon program completion.


Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

Master’s in Marketing

A private, nonprofit institution, Southern New Hampshire University houses more than 3,000 on-campus students and a staggering 170,000 online students. This makes it one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. It takes pride in providing affordable and accessible education.

Standout Features:

This online program is aligned with the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer Program standards, as outlined in the Digital Marketing Book of Knowledge. With additional requirements, students will be able to pursue a certification to give them a boost in their professional credentials as qualified marketers.

Did You Know?

As an agent of change in higher education, Southern New Hampshire University has developed custom workforce learning solutions and community-based learning for the next generation of learners. In 2013, it received a “First in the World” grant from the Department of Education for its ground-breaking launch of College of America.


University of Colorado

University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Colorado has been providing accessible distance-learning education since 1966. It remained committed to providing flexible online programs for busy students, growing to offer more than 70 online degrees and certificates. Students can explore a wide range of fully online degrees and certificates in the STEM, social sciences, business, higher education, and criminal justice fields,

Standout Features:

For more personalized learning, students can choose among a number of specializations, allowing them to customize their courses toward their individual career goals. The specializations include Brand Communication in the Digital Era, Marketing Intelligence & Strategy in the 21st Century, and the General Marketing track.

Did You Know?

The University of Colorado has four campuses, including one in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Anschutz Medical Campus. All of these campuses offer convenient online programs designed for working professionals.


University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati - Online

Cincinnati, OH

Master of Science in Marketing

Students seeking flexibility in their higher education will find a world-class online experience at the University of Cincinnati, led by nationally recognized faculty. Located in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio, the university was a pioneer in online education.

Standout Features:

In this program, students are required to complete a capstone course where they will integrate all the marketing concepts they have learned into real-world applications. This real-world experience is made possible by the University of Cincinnati’s Marketing Department’s partnerships with local and international businesses and organizations, allowing students to work on real-world projects.

Did You Know?

As a public research university, the University of Cincinnati provides students with a good balance between academic excellence and real-world experience. The U.S. News & World Report named it as “Among the top tier of the Best National Universities.


Liberty University

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Master’s in Marketing

Liberty University emphasizes the right balance between academic theory and hands-on training. This unique approach to education is evident in the more than 700 programs of study that it offers, from the certificate to the doctoral level. Of these programs, 600 are fully available online.

Standout Features:

Students who want to gain personalized learning outcomes may want to consider one of the specializations on offer. Their options include advertising, digital marketing, project management, social media management, sports marketing, and public relations.

Did You Know?

Liberty University lives by three As – academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. They constantly adapt to the latest trends and update their courses to reflect industry practices. Students can also be assured of affordable education. In fact, there has been no increase in tuition across all academic levels in the last eight years.


Rutgers University

Rutgers University - Business School

Newark, NJ

Master of Science in Digital Marketing

Established in 1929, Rutgers University’s Seth Boyden Business School has been providing quality and innovative business education. It has been consistently ranked as one of the best business schools in the country.

Standout Features:

Apart from the rigorous curriculum taught by experienced industry practitioners and faculty, the program also features an opportunity for students to gain an integrated ability to earn certifications in common marketing platforms widely used today, including Google Analytics and Hootsuite.

Did You Know?

The Gartner Supply Chain Leaders has recognized the Seth Boyden Business School’s Supply Chain Management and Marketing Science program as nationally ranked. The business school was also ranked among the top MBA employers out of 10 Big Schools.


Franklin University

Franklin University

Columbus, OH

Master’s in Marketing & Communication

Franklin University has been a place of opportunity for adult learners for more than 115 years. It is recognized for quality higher education, accessibility, and affordability.

Standout Features:

Accredited by IACBE, the master’s in marketing and communication program explores essential key topics. Students can explore how to leverage web and social insights to optimize marketing activities, drive social media initiatives, and activate user engagement and retention.

Did You Know?

To better serve the communities, Franklin University has partnered with more than 135 community and technical colleges across the country. This is an effort to increase graduation rates and provide professional development opportunities for faculties and staff.


University of Houston

University of Houston - C.T Bauer College of Business

Houston, TX

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Houston was founded in 1927. As one of the largest public research universities in Texas, this higher-learning institution is home to more than 46,000 students. Many of them are earning their degrees online.

Standout Features:

Students who wish to tailor their degree to their professional goals may choose from a wide variety of electives in various areas. This includes Digital Marketing, Analytics, and Product Management.

Did You Know?

Encouraging innovation in knowledge and technology, the University of Houston features an innovation ecosystem integral to advancing the innovation economy. It showcases 9 research centers, including UH Energy.


Georgetown University

Georgetown University - School of Continuing Studies

Washington, DC

Online Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications

Georgetown University is a private research university in Washington DC. It’s the country’s oldest Catholic higher education institution, having been founded back in 1789. The university currently has a total of around over 19,000 students. Georgetown has a highly selective admissions process and boasts an impressive array of alumni who have gone on to occupy prominent positions in the country and abroad.

Standout Features:

Students enrolling in this program get to experience the full commitment to educational quality that Georgetown University is known for. This program in particular also doesn’t miss out on the importance of ethics in the profession, as it is part of the set of core courses.

Did You Know?

Georgetown University is known for its education related to government and international relations. On top of having 2 US Presidents in its roster of alumni, Georgetown has produced more diplomats and members of Congress than any other university in the country.


Penn State World Campus

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA

Master’s in Marketing Analytics and Insights

Pennsylvania State University, or PennState, is a public, state-related, land grant research university, with its main campus straddling the towns of State College and College Township in Pennsylvania. As one of the most important higher education institutions in the state, it has a student population of over 80,000 and includes heads of state, CEOs, and other prominent figures in its roster of alumni.

Standout Features:

PennState’s Masters in Marketing Analytics and Insights program features a comprehensive design that covers a wide range of topics in analytics, including marketing analytics, customer analytics, and brand analytics. The program also makes heavy use of experiential learning components and team-based projects to give students valuable hands-on experience and insights.

Did You Know?

Pennsylvania State University is a land-grant university, but it is also a member of the sea-grant, sun-grant, and space-grant research consortia, one of only four universities to have this distinction. PennState is a part of the Public Ivies, a group of public institutions considered equal in stature to the Ivy League.


Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School

Baltimore, MD

Master of Science in Marketing

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1876 after a gift for its founding by Johns Hopkins, a Quaker philanthropist, as his dying wish. The university continues to be one of the country’s foremost research institutions, and has, over the years, had 39 Nobel laureates walk its hallways as faculty and alumni.

Standout Features:

Being a part-time, online program, students are afforded quality education without having to disrupt any existing commitments they may already have massively. The curriculum covers the most up-to-date and relevant skills, and students can participate in co-curricular experiences within Johns Hopkins that augment their Master’s coursework.

Did You Know?

Johns Hopkins is the first university founded in the US that is based on the European research institution model and continues to lead all US Universities in terms of annual expenditure on research and development for over four decades.


University of North Texas Online

The University of North Texas Online

Denton, TX

Master of Business Administration – Marketing

The University of North Texas is a public research university based in the city of Denton. Founded in 1890, it was originally a private teacher’s college and was adopted by the state 11 years later. Today the university is one of the most prominent higher education institutions in the state and one of the country’s largest universities, and with its 14 colleges and schools, is an “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” institution according to the Carnegie Classifications.

Standout Features:

Compared to other Master’s in Marketing programs which are designed as MS degrees, this is an MBA program, which develops students’ business and managerial skills, while delivering advanced Marketing-related knowledge.

Did You Know?

The University of North Texas also offers a 100% online MBA in Marketing Analytics, which is designed as a good preparation for careers related to Business Intelligence and Business Analytics.


Western Governors University

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Master of Science in Marketing

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, not-for-profit university based in the city of Millcreek, Utah, but exclusively offers all its programs via online/distance learning formats. It is relatively young, operating as a private institution, but was established in 1997 by the efforts of 19 US State Governors, hence the name. The university currently has around 150,000 students, and awards all degree levels from less-than-one-year certificates, right up to post-masters certificates.

Standout Features:

Perhaps the standout feature of Western Governors University is its use of a competency-based learning model, which lets students advance provided that they can sufficiently demonstrate mastery of a particular course. WGU also has affordable tuition rates that are charged per six-month term, instead of the typical per-credit-hour model.

Did You Know?

WGU attracts a large number of working professionals who are seeking career advancement and additional skills. As of 2020, the median age of WGU’s student population is 37 years.


University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas - Naveen Jindal School of Management

Richardson, TX

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Texas at Dallas, a public research university in the city of Richardson in the greater Dallas area is a young institution founded in 1961. However, it has seen rapid growth and massive success, particularly in the sciences, being associated with four Nobel Prizes, and currently hosting over 50 research institutes. UT Dallas currently has a student population of over 31,000 students.

Standout Features:

UT Dallas’ MS in Marketing is a STEM-designated degree.

Likewise, this degree program is designed to welcome a wide range of academic backgrounds, as an undergraduate business degree is not required for admission.

Did You Know?

UT Dallas has its roots in the private sector. It was initially founded as a private research arm of Texas Instruments in 1961 and was only added to the University of Texas System in 1969.


Washington State University

Washington State University

Pullman, WA

Online MBA in Marketing

Washington State University (WSU) is a public, land-grant, research university primarily based in Pullman, Washington. One of the country’s oldest land-grant universities in the Western United States, WSU was established in 1890.

WSU is also one of the largest universities in the state with a student population of over 28,000 and is classified as an “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” institution in the Carnegie Classifications.

Standout Features:

On top of the comprehensive coverage of crucial content, this online MBA program is also designed with efficiency in mind, letting students graduate in less than 2 years. Students not only get to partner up and interact with their fellow students, but they can also make use of WSU’s international strategic partnerships to maximize their education.

Did You Know?

Washington State University’s online MBA program is highly ranked, making the top 10% of Online MBA Programs according to US News and World Report. The program is also accredited by AACSB International.


University of Wisconsin Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater - Online

Whitewater, WI

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Wisconsin—Whitewater is a public university based in the city of Whitewater and is part of the larger University of Wisconsin system. It was first established back in 1868 as the Whitewater Normal School and has a current student population of over 9000, enrolled in 47 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs.

Standout Features:

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s online programs get to experience the educational quality of a highly-ranked institution. UW-Whitewater’s online MBA is ranked #27 in the country, #44 for veteran-friendly programs, and is the #1 Online MBA Program in Wisconsin.         

Did You Know?

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater also offers a number of Graduate Certificates, including one in Marketing Strategy. Courses are also delivered fully online and asynchronous.


Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business

Santa Clara, CA

Online Master’s in Marketing

Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university in the city of Santa Clara, California. It was first established in 1851, making it the oldest existing higher education institution in California.

At present, the university has a student population of over 9,000, and its impressive roster of alumni includes State governors, company founders and CEOs, Pulitzer Prize winners, members of the Cabinet, and other prominent figures.

Standout Features:

Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business offers guaranteed scholarships of $3,000 or more to all applicants who have been affected by the recent wave of tech layoffs. As a Jesuit university, Santa Clara also places emphasis on ethics, especially on the use of digital marketing tools, and in shaping responsible business leaders overall.

Did You Know?

At the heart of the SCU campus is the Mission Santa Clara de Asís, a Spanish mission that was founded in 1777 almost 75 years before the university was established.


Emerson College

Emerson College

Boston, MA

Master of Arts in Marketing

Emerson College is a private, not-for-profit college with its main campus in Boston, as well as locations in California and the Netherlands. It was first established and called the Boston Conservatory of Elocution, Oratory, and Dramatic Art in 1880. Today, it continues to specialize in arts and communications education, with a student population of around 5,900.

Standout Features:

The program’s courses were developed by industry professionals, and are consciously aligned with the trends, technologies, and tools of today’s modern marketing environment. On top of skills and technology, the program also emphasizes audience empathy, as well as ethical and culturally aware practices.

Did You Know?

In keeping with its liberal arts foundation and its specialty in arts and communications education, Emerson College also owns and operates the Colonial, Cutler Majestic, and Paramount theaters, which are all historic performance venues in Boston.

Online Master's in Marketing - fact

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common admission requirements for online graduate programs in Marketing?

While the admission requirements differ from one educational institution to another, there are some that are often shared across universities and colleges. Generally, interested students who wish to apply for a marketing master’s program will need to hold a Bachelor’s in Marketing or a related field. There are business schools that require students to show academic excellence so they may need to meet a certain GPA.

For competitive universities, test scores for GMAT, GRE, and others may be needed to boost their qualifications. Other requirements include letters of recommendation, personal statements, official transcripts, and resumes, among others.

Are there specialization options for online master’s programs in Marketing?

Marketing is a pretty broad field, offering a wide range of opportunities across various industries. Graduate students who want to have an edge over the competition may want to specialize in a certain area of study. This allows them to tailor their coursework to their professional goals.

Marketing majors can specialize in Advertising, Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Market Research, and Sports Marketing, among others.

How long does it take to complete a Master’s in Marketing online degree?

Usually, a master’s degree requires the completion of 30 to 36 credits. This means full-time students will be able to finish the program in one to two years. Some universities also have generous transfer credit policies, which can significantly cut down the time it takes for students with prior credits to finish an online degree.

Key Takeaways

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