Best Master’s in Marketing Programs

Earning a degree in marketing can be a great idea. It’s even better if you don’t have a particular job or position you want to pursue for your career.

Degrees in marketing are versatile. Professional marketers are needed by just about every company or business. But those who hold basic marketing credentials have an advantage. They can proceed into higher positions of leadership. Or they can take on more responsibilities for higher salaries.

Long story short – earning a master’s degree in marketing science and management is an excellent decision. 

What’s the big difference between a degree in marketing and marketing management? That depends on the type of degree you receive.

Many master’s degrees in marketing science and management are MBAs, or Masters of Business Administration. They just have a marketing management concentration for higher education.

MBAs are a perfect fit for a marketing management focus. They focus on how to be a better leader in the business arena and how to manage others. That’s in addition to going over solid business concepts. Those who hold MBAs are well-positioned to become administrators, chief executives, or any other kind of managing position at a business or organization. MBAs with this focus will include coursework and training that prepares graduates to head marketing departments. They might even spearhead broad marketing campaigns that can lead to great profits for their employing company.

However, master’s degrees in marketing management come in other flavors, too. Some schools offer a pure Master of Marketing Management degree. These are best thought of as an offshoot of an MBA or a related degree program. They’ll cover many of the same concepts and ideas. At the same time, they focus on marketing as it pertains to modern economics.

Some degrees can also come as either a Master of Science in Marketing or Master of Arts. Master of Science degrees might be theoretical. They lean more into economics in the broader abstract concepts that drive business decisions every day. Marketing management degrees of the latter type will be more appropriate for those looking to join nonprofits. They might focus their marketing efforts on areas besides pure profit boosting.

Marketing management degrees that include some element of business administration, either through their curricula or by being part of an MBA, will be better for immediate practical application of your acquired knowledge. These degrees are perfect for those who want to enter the business sphere right after graduation. Meanwhile, a Master of Science in marketing management degree is better for those who want to pursue research. It’s also ideal for those who wish to pursue additional higher education, like doctoral degree programs.

Either way, marketing management degrees at the master’s level are valuable. They will teach any student lots about marketing and business. They teach you how to manage or lead others. They often feature an interdisciplinary curriculum. It encompasses a broad variety of courses and concepts.

A sampling of the classes you can expect from these master’s degrees in marketing might include:

• Communication/Integrated Marketing Communications
• Strategic Marketing
• Data Analysis/Data Driven Marketing
• International Marketing
• Marketing
• Business
• Management
• Psychology
• Sports and Entertainment Marketing
• Business Ethics
• Business Leadership
• Marketing Analytics
• Global Marketing Management
• Brand Management
• Digital Marketing/Digital Advertising
• New Product Development
• Search Engine Marketing
• High Tech Entrepreneurial Marketing
• Consumer Behavior
• English
• Statistics
• History

The exact focus of a given master’s degree in marketing management will depend on the individual program. But all programs will prepare graduates to attain leadership positions in marketing departments or at the head of companies. Marketing majors graduate with significant expertise. They know how to create and follow through with marketing campaigns or efforts that can benefit their company.

As you might imagine, these positions are sought out by almost any company or organization you can imagine. Profit-driven enterprises always need marketing leaders to head up teams. They need people to manage individuals within a marketing department. They even need people to come up with marketing strategies in the first place. Nonprofits or other organizations also need their own marketing managers.

Perhaps the biggest strength of this higher education degree is its ability to be applied to almost any industry. 

With one of the best master’s degrees in marketing management, you’ll be able to pursue a top position in almost any company and in any field. Anything that requires marketing, that is. 

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Common Application and Admission Questions

This degree isn’t part of the STEM umbrella for higher education. But that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get into a full time program providing this credential. Like almost any master’s program, getting into one of the best master’s degrees in marketing management requires excellent grades. You’ll also need a specific portfolio for each school you plan to apply to.

Almost any master’s degree program will require a bachelor’s degree first and foremost. It is a little less rigid for many to apply to a marketing management degree in this regard. Just about any bachelor’s degree will be enough for most schools. You don’t have to have a degree in business or a related field.

That being said, students who have bachelor’s degrees in business or something at least somewhat related to marketing will be given priority. Some common undergraduate majors for students who enroll in master’s degrees in marketing include:

• Marketing Communications
• Public Relations
• Social Media Management
• Business or Business Communication
• Advertising
• English
• Journalism

You’ll also need decent grades from all of your prior undergraduate degrees and other higher education experiences. Full transcripts will be required for each application you submit.

The minimum GPA from your undergraduate degrees is about 2.5 or so. Most applicants average 3.0 GPA or above. Make this number as high as possible if you’re still in your bachelor’s studies. If you must, take additional classes after the fact to bolster your score.

Many master’s programs for marketing management will require that you take and submit scores from the GRE, or the Graduate Record Examinations.

These tests are taken over the computer and measure several aspects of your intelligence. This ranges from your critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to your verbal and mathematical skills. Different tests will be prioritized by different universities. Some schools prefer a high GMAT score instead of a GRE.

You’ll have a full year to take these tests once you apply for them. You can take them up to five times within that year. There are plenty of opportunities to get a better score if your first attempt doesn’t reflect your actual abilities.

You’ll also need to consider other application boosters. Many master’s programs, including those of marketing management, will require a history of your work experience. You may need a professional resume. Resumes that have work experience related to the degree are, of course, preferred. You should be able to showcase your experience in the marketing or business fields thus far.

Also consider letters of recommendation. Most master’s programs ask for at least one letter of recommendation from a superior or boss. This might be the boss of your current workplace or your former teachers from your bachelor’s years. Many full time programs ask for three letters. It’s a good idea to email your former faculty and ask about the letters as soon as possible.

Pay attention to the application deadlines for each university. Some schools are flexible and have multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Others admit just a single class for a full time program once per year. Be sure you have your application materials ready at all times with up to date information.

Not sure what to look for in a school? We’ve ranked the top marketing master’s degrees in this post. However, some other top schools include:

• University of Texas
• University of Southern California
• Northwestern University (via the Evanston, IL campus)
• Johns Hopkins University (via the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School in Baltimore, MD)
• Columbia University (via the Columbia Business School)
• Michigan State University (in East Lansing, MI)
• Clemson University
• Boston College
• University of Tampa (Tampa, FL)
• Cincinnati State University (in Cincinnati, OH)
• UT Dallas (via the Naveen Jindal School of Business)
• University of Colorado – Downtown Denver Campus
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Georgia in Atlanta, GA
• New York University in New York, NY
• Indiana University
• University of California Los Angeles (Los Angeles CA)
• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA campus)

Consider how well the master’s degree you are considering will help you meet your personal and professional goals. Will you have hands on experiences to help you gain practical skills as you attend classes? If you’re interested in doctoral degree programs later on, will the program give you enough of a foundation in yoru core courses to continue on? Are there any experiential learning opportunities like internships or study abroad?

The best master’s degrees can and should check off all the boxes.

Also consider accreditation. The top accrediting organizations for a graduate degree include:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Being accredited by one of these organizations, whether it’s the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, is a good sign. So, too, is a nod from publications like the Princeton Review or U.S. News & World Report. It indicates that the marketing degrees you are looking at will provide you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need for a rewarding career.

What About Financial Aid & Scholarships?

Paying for graduate school of any kind is expensive for most of us. You don’t want to end up in student debt, after all.  But the good news is that there are multiple ways you can seek out financial assistance, some of which are specific to master’s degrees for marketing management.

Everyone should fill out a FAFSA at the beginning of every academic year. This is the Federal Application for Student Aid. It tells the government all it needs to know about your economic situation. They can determine whether you qualify for certain subsidized and unsubsidized government loans and grants.

These loans and grants are some of the most valuable in the entire student financial aid sphere. It’s worth it to fill out the FAFSA each year. Most universities require that you do this before applying for other paths to financial aid, anyway.

Always check the financial aid page of both your university and the college or school handling the master’s program for marketing management. There are often two separate pages. You should check out both because the former page often has more general higher education financial aid opportunities. It is more inundated with applicants. That’s because undergraduates can take advantage of these offers as well. These financial aid packages aren’t as large.

The pages of your program’s financial aid scholarships or opportunities are oftentimes much more specific. They are also sometimes more achievable. Again, fewer students in higher education apply to them.

Even more important are the teaching assistantships or internships. Not everyone gets access to one of these opportunities, but they’re valuable. You should always attempt for one if you have the chance and time in your schedule.

Teaching assistantships will allow you to work with faculty in your department or college. You might be grading papers or doing other busywork in exchange for knocking off some or all of your tuition costs. This does take time out of your week that you could otherwise use for studying. However, it’s a great choice if you can manage a good work/life balance.

Internships may not always pay you a salary. Yet many of them offered through your school will result in a net reduction of your overall tuition. Internships provide additional benefits. They grant you valuable work experience and networking opportunities. These will continue to pay dividends after you graduate. Assistantships and internships are financial aid opportunities best used by those who don’t also need to work at a full-time job while completing their graduate education.

Most students will find themselves using a mixture of financial aid options to cover their bills. Check out all that you can to avoid paying full tuition.

How Much Can I Make With a Master’s in Marketing Management? 

Once you complete your education and graduate from the university of your choice, you’ll be faced with a challenging task. Now, you need to find a job that provides you with a salary worthy of your experience and education.

So how much can you expect to make with a master’s degree in marketing management?

Like almost every business or marketing degree, your actual salary will depend on the position you hold. Marketing managers who are higher in the overall hierarchy of a large company will be paid more than a marketing manager of a smaller organization. This doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate for a higher salary with any potential employer.

Marketing managers can expect to make an average salary of about $133,380 per year. That’s according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The highest salaries were around $208,000 for the exact same position with the same responsibilities.

Your salary will depend on how long you have been with the company, how profitable your company is, and where on the salary totem pole your position lies. Marketing managers that are in charge of more people and who deliver more profitable results can expect to see higher salaries. That’s compared to marketing managers who work for nonprofits or for smaller companies. This is all very similar to almost any other business or management executive occupation. It’s true regardless of industry.

Marketing managers can also become advertising or promotion managers. They have median annual salaries of about $132,000 per year. It’s a very similar position to a general marketing manager. However, advertising or promotion managers are focused on a particular aspect of marketing campaigns. That’s rather than marketing as a whole for a company.

Those who pursue a position as a marketing manager will enjoy an 10% job growth rate projected over the next 10 years. This is faster than the national average compared to most other professions across industries. Companies are expected to need more marketing managers in the near future, and in high numbers. The time is perfect for recent graduates!

Other career path options for marketing graduates include:

• Marketing analysts
• Social media marketing directors
• Global marketing directors
• Directors of brand management

A master’s degree for marketing management is such a versatile and broad credential. Therefore, you can also use it to pivot into a management position in many industry organizations.

Having experience with managing people and leading teams to achieve great results will enable you to take leadership roles outside the marketing sphere.

Management occupations, in general, earn a median salary of about $102,450. This makes them a viable alternative. They’re ideal if you can’t find a pure marketing manager position that suits your needs or interests. These jobs have titles like:

• administrative service managers
• compensation and benefits managers
• financial managers
• sales management lead
• international marketing
• human resources managers.

Our Ranking Criteria 

We have a time-tested four-part formula designed for ranking the best colleges and higher education programs in the nation. We’d love to share it with you.

We prioritize four major factors:

• Earnings Potential
• Affordability
• Student Satisfaction
• Selectivity

Reliable research and well-harvested data are the main ingredients in our recipe for success. We don’t make recommendations based on personal opinions, or financial incentives. Our revenue and content are separate. Sponsored schools have no impact on our rankings.

The only way to make it onto one of our lists is to have an incredible academic program at a top school of business!

What Are the Best Master’s Programs in Marketing Science and Management?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue. But you may not know where to start. The editors of Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology. It is based on the following three aspects:

40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 

30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 

30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

At Master’s Program’s Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. We want to help you reach your goals. 

Check out our ranking of the Best Master’s Programs in Marketing Science and Management! 

10 Best Schools for Masters in Marketing Degrees

#1. Texas A&M University-College Station

Master of Science in Marketing

You’ll find one of the best masters in marketing programs at Texas A&M University.

In fact, many of Texas A&M University’s programs are well-known for their rigor and overall value. The Master of Science in marketing is no different. It’s ranked as one of the best Master of Science in marketing programs across the entire United States. That’s from Best-Masters.com and College Choice.

This school boasts a comprehensive full time Master of Science in marketing that is perfect for both students with business experience. It’s also ideal for those with a related degree or for those who have an unrelated bachelor’s degree who want to make a career change.

There are very few specific prerequisites for any applicants wishing to apply for this program at Texas A&M University. You need good grades and certain GRE scores, of course. Other than that, anyone can apply to this Master of Science in marketing. This is a recent change. The full time program used to have much more stringent application requirements.

Consider this program at this public university if you are at all interested. Every student accepted into will be considered for both a departmental scholarship and a graduate assistantship. Both of these financial aid opportunities combined can knock off most or all of your tuition costs. That’s to mention that the school of business can provide you with valuable work experience through the assistantship. The graduation rate for this business school is one of the best in the country. 

Curriculum for the Master of Science in Marketing at Texas A&M University

Students in these master’s degrees will focus on the fundamentals and specifics of marketing in a variety of circumstances. They’ll take classes that discuss and teach about marketing for business and for other organizations. They’ll showcase the different skillsets and mindsets needed to market in a variety of situations and consumer bases. All students in these marketing degrees will also have plenty of opportunities to complete professional internships over the course of their full time program. This allows them to use some of those experiences as academic credit.

Some topics you’ll cover in your specialized classes and foundational courses at the Master of Science in marketing at this school of business include:

• Integrated marketing communications
• Internet marketing
• Digital marketing strategy
• Advanced marketing research
• Practical marketing analysis
• Marketing metrics
• Brand management
• Customer analytics
• Marketing decision-making
• Business marketing
• International business
• Sales management and pricing strategies

Another valuable advantage to this Master of Science in marketing is that it can be completed in as little as 10.5 months. Other programs take at least one to two years.

It’s one of the fastest marketing degrees you can find across all disciplines. It’s an ideal fit for students that have plenty of free time that they can use to focus on their studies. However, there aren’t any opportunities to slow down in this marketing master’s. It’s not a very flexible program or appropriate for those who can commit to school just part-time.

This marketing master’s many benefits shouldn’t be understated. There’s a single application deadline on April 7 for every academic year. Students should get a jumpstart on their applications if they plan to give this full time program a shot. If accepted, they’ll benefit from the broad “Aggie Network.” This is the collection of alumni that spans many countries across the globe.

Texas A&M’s alumni network for the marketing master’s is one of the most valuable advantages at this public university. That’s considering the breadth of professions they encompass and the doors they can open into major companies. Networking is just as important as your academic training and experiential learning. 

More Information About Texas A&M

Texas A&M is a public university that has plenty of other wonderful aspects that make it worth your while. It has the largest group of full time students in the state of Texas. It’s just about the largest university by mass, too. It also has a beautiful campus that spans 5200 acres. All students will be able to take advantage of a huge swath of recreational facilities and a vibrant Greek life. This public university is home to 58 Greek letter organizations. There’s something for everyone.

Don’t forget the school of business’s emphasis on sports excellence, either. Each game is a treat, even if you’re just a casual fan. This Master of Science in marketing is ideal!

#2. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Master of Business Administration

Another one of the best marketing masters programs is at Georgia Institute of Technology. Again, Georgia Tech has a business school with a leading graduation rate. 

This MBA program may seem just somewhat related to marketing science and management at first. But a closer look reveals that students can choose to focus on marketing management through their class selection.

All students of this MBA program must complete a series of core business and administration courses. These go over things like the principles of finance, how to lead people and organizations, strategic management, and more.

But you’ll also be able to pick classes specific to marketing science and management. You can also tailor your electives to reflect this strategic focus. The resulting MBA is both broad and specific enough to provide you with the marketing science and management knowledge you need to succeed in those positions.

This full time program at the school of business has other benefits that make it an excellent choice for most. It’s offered in several formats. These include full-time, evening, and weekend exclusive. This means that both focused or flexible students will be able to complete this MBA on a schedule that works best for their personal or work lives.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

The curriculum for the marketing master’s is the same between all three pathways. What differs is how long it takes to complete the full time program. There are multiple starting opportunities for the evening program. You don’t need to worry too much if you miss one of the application deadlines.

You’ll take marketing courses in subjects such as:

• Entertainment marketing
• Supply chain management
• Digital marketing strategy
• Consumer analysis
• New product development and product design
• Digital advertising
• Financial accounting
• Consumer trends
• Marketing analytics
• Marketing research
• Business communication
• Data driven marketing

Georgia Tech provides small class sizes for all of its programs. This mindset is reflected in the MBA as well. You’ll be able to get more personal attention from your faculty. You won’t feel smothered by the other students in your class as a result. You’ll also be able to network with individuals rather than be lost in the crowd.

Even better is the college through which the program is administered. Scheller College is in the middle of the Georgia Tech Square innovation ecosystem. This is the heart of most entrepreneurial and business activity within both the university and much of the surrounding city.

Any students with the drive to begin projects and the desire to make a name for themselves will feel right at home. They will have lots of chances to begin startups or join companies that can make use of their talents.

But that’s not all! Any full-time MBA students of this program will have opportunities to intern with Fortune 500 companies. They can also intern with several major consulting and financing firms. You’ll get plenty of work experience and networking under your belt by the end of your academics!

More Information About Georgia Institute of Technology

This school of business opened in 1885. It has since bloomed into six separate colleges with 31 departments. It’s a top-ranked university in every regard. It has a beautiful campus located north of downtown Atlanta. Most of the campus is filled with greenery. This makes it feel almost suburban compared to the metropolitan area just a few miles away. This school is ranked as offering some of the best master’s degrees by U.S. News & World Report.

#3. Liberty University

Master of Business Administration in Marketing

Liberty University has an excellent marketing management master degree. This school provides an MBA for aspiring students that want to become business executives over the course of their careers. However, the MBA at this business school has an explicit focus on marketing. It’s one of the best online schools in the country according to U.S. News & World Report.

Marketing science and management is not covered per se. However, the classes covered by the standard MBA core curriculum will handle the management and administration side of things. The marketing courses give you the more focused education you need to hold marketing manager positions in any company.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

This program is 100% online. It includes a curriculum that focuses on contemporary issues in the marketing culture of today’s companies and the economic environment. This is wonderful for many young graduates. Succeeding with modern marketing takes different skills and information than marketers used in decades past.

You’ll also take marketing courses that look at consumer behaviors and trends. You’ll examine how they have evolved over previous years. This will enable you to understand and predict where consumer behavior might take companies in the near or distant future. The hands on experience you get at this business school is just one reason why it has such an outstanding graduation rate.

The core MBA classes prioritize leadership and business communication skills. This will help you succeed in any managerial position. This marketing program also emphasizes the importance of applying ethics to all of your marketing practices. You can feel good about your career and your impact on the world.

Liberty University is a Christian-focused school. That ethical framework is in many of the marketing courses throughout this program.

You’ll complete the online program over the course of two years. It features 45 credits in total.

The rigorous curriculum for this master’s degree in marketing includes core courses such as:

• Marketing analytics
• Marketing research
• Global marketing
• Pricing strategies
• Data driven marketing
• Business communication
• Customer analysis

The entire program is online. Each class lasts for eight weeks to facilitate a fast-paced schedule. It also has one of the most generous transfer credit policies in a major university. You can bring up to 50% of the credits needed for your graduation from another university.

All the classes in this school of business are taught in an asynchronous format. This just means that you don’t need to attend virtual lectures at any point in the process. Instead, you’ll be given assignments. This is often at the beginning of the week. You just need to complete them by a predetermined point without “attending” class. Thus, it’s a great university and program for those who need a flexible graduate schedule to accommodate their work or family lives.

More Information About Liberty University

LU is one of the largest private nonprofit universities in the entire country, compared to other higher education institutions. That’s according to student enrollment. It features a core group of full time students centered around Christian teachings and the Republican political party. This makes it a great fit if you already have those inclinations.

Though online students may not  be there to enjoy it, LU features a beautiful and old-fashioned campus. It has a 17-story Freedom Tower that was just completed in 2018. A national Civil War Museum is also included within the campus borders.

#4. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Master of Business Administration

Cal Poly is one of the most recognized universities in the entire state of California. It’s it’s no surprise that they offer one of the best MBAs in the country. This marketing management masters is ideal for aspiring advertisers.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

This MBA at this school of business features a specific set of classes that focus on marketing science and management and related concepts. This lets you tailor the degree to your unique career path. It also has a broad core of business administration classes. These can provide you with the leadership and administrative knowledge you need to hold any higher position within an organization.

The business school has an outstanding graduation rate that lends itself well to outside praise!

Ranked as one of the best by U.S. News & World Report, the program’s curriculum focuses on ensuring that every graduate understands core competencies in all aspects of management. The curriculum, therefore, covers the essentials of:

• accounting
• marketing
• strategy
• operations management
• economics
• organizational behavior

The electives available to every admitted student are diverse. They focus on subjects like entrepreneurship or negotiations. You might cover topics like:

• Mathematical methods/quantitative methods for marketing research
• Marketing across different media channels
• Creating customer profiles
• Pricing strategy creation
• Marketing in the global marketplace

You can even choose to take electives in related topics like big data or data science.

All students will also be able to make use of Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). This center is one of the best networking places for all young innovators and future industry leaders. It also provides you with the technical tools necessary to broaden your social network and develop your business skills. It’s an excellent place for self-starters to meet others like them or network with peers.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also provides several opportunities for professional certificates associated with business management and marketing. These aren’t necessary for graduation. However, they can make you more attractive to employers. They can help you land more specific or niche jobs that require special skills.

The university focuses on treating each student as an individual. Therefore, most students will benefit from a low 3:1 student to faculty ratio. This is quite small compared to every other college in the country. It allows students to have more face-to-face time with their professors than most other college programs.

Every student will also benefit from hands-on field trips. These take place a few times over the course of the program. Each trip heads to a different business environment so students can get a real sense of what actual industry leaders deal with in their day-to-day routines. Even with all of these experiences packed in with a rigorous curriculum, this program lasts 10 months.

Students can be accepted into the program and graduate within the same year in some cases. In the modern fast-paced business environment, this is an excellent advantage for graduates who want to hit the ground running.

More Information About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Of course, this public university is also located in sunny coastal California. Here, the weather is excellent year-round. Many decide to take advantage of the beautiful environment and bike to school. There are over 6,500 bike rack spaces on the campus. This is the largest in any university in the world. Should you own a bike, you can tour one of the largest college campuses in the United States. It comes in at 9,178 acres.

#5. Gonzaga University

Master of Business Administration

Gonzaga University has another best marketing masters program. This school
provides an excellent Master of Business Administration program. It has been turning out business leaders for over 50 years. It’s ranked as one of the best schools for the best master’s degrees and doctoral degree programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

This university focuses on Jesuit values. It’s curriculum reflects this ethical focus. At the same time, it provides broad business concepts and foundational knowledge for future business leaders across industries. The curriculum includes classes on marketing theory and managing. That makes this an effective degree choice if you want to become the leader of a marketing department. It’s also ideal if you want to understand how marketing affects the success or failure of businesses in more detail. A capstone course in strategic management emphasizes the degree’s focus on leadership and managing a business venture.

You’ll also be able to create your own specialization that shows up on your MBA. You can personalize your program when it comes time to choose your electives. A preset finance concentration is available as well. Students of marketing science and management may choose to not follow this elective path. 

It’s also one of the more flexible MBA programs. It has a high graduation rate and a business school with extensive opportunities to adapt your schedule to your preferences. There are four main schedule options to complete the program:

• traditional classes on campus that take place in the afternoons and evenings
• weekend intensive courses
• online courses that are available for the summer
• a hybrid combination of any of the above paths

Whether you need a flexible MBA program or can complete something more rigid, Gonzaga will be able to meet you every step of the way.

You can complete this MBA program in as little as one year. You can do this if you take accelerated marketing courses. This is a perfect choice if you want to get into the business environment ASAP.

But you can also pursue the degree at a part-time pace. Then it will take around two to four to 4 years. This is what most of the full time students do. Class sizes aren’t large. They average between 20 and 30 students. You’ll have ample opportunity to meet with your professors or network with your peers.

Core classes in this MS program cover topics like:

• new business development
• product development
• social media management
• brand strategy
• quantitative analysis/data analysis
• consumer insights
• product management
• digital marketing
• business applications for the marketing field
• buyer behavior/consumer behavior

In this MS program, you’ll go beyond strategic marketing courses. Marketing students will be able to participate in in-depth marketing research to understand customer management and marketing decision making at a personal level. You’ll build your planning and decision making skills and leave graduate school as one of the industry’s top marketing professionals.

More Information About Gonzaga University

GU is both private and Roman Catholic in terms of its student body and faculty.  It opened in 1887. It has expanded to 105 buildings over 152 acres. There are two large libraries centered within the campus. There are also several unique pieces of artwork that display famous historical figures and prominent Catholics.

The number of full time students this university is expanding. This has necessitated the construction of a new center of the campus’ building that fits a variety of student services inside its attractive all-glass exterior. Despite the faith focus of many of its classes, over 20 faiths are represented on this campus. It’s not a university just for Catholics. This is one of the top universities for affordability. With lots of graduate degree programs and doctoral programs to choose from, it has a low tuition rate and receives high marks for financial aid options including loans, grants, scholarships, and more.

#6. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Master of Business Administration

Cal Poly returns to our list once again. But this time it’s Pomona campus has the MBA we want to show you. This is one of the best MS marketing programs you will find.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

This is a generalized Master of Business Administration program, like all the other MBAs we’ve provided. However, it offers the opportunity for you to specialize in marketing science and management through your class selections.

You’ll be able to take core courses in topics like:

• Marketing research
• Marketing analytics
• Consumer behavior
• Brand management
• New business development
• Product development
• International marketing research
• Marketing strategies
• Public relations
• Social media marketing
• Business applications and brand strategy
• Financial accounting

All students of this MBA program will start with a broad core curriculum that focuses on all the major aspects of business and leadership. This provides you with the foundational knowledge you need to succeed in almost any business environment. All of these marketing classes will take up the first year of your studies or more. Most of the concentrated or specialized coursework occur in the second year of your studies. All students take a full-time course load through this program. There are three classes per semester. This is done in order to facilitate a consistent structure and ensure that everyone graduates within two years.

Students can enjoy a little flexibility in how they take those marketing classes. Cal Poly Pomona offers marketing classes for this program through a variety of formats. This includes traditional evening classes, weekend intensive classes for those who have less free time, and a hybrid course load that combines the two types. It’s a more flexible program than you might anticipate. The weekend intensive scheduling is good for working professionals that can’t afford to take time off work while they finish their education.

Applicants will also want to pay attention to the financial aid page of this public university. There are valuable scholarships and other financial aid opportunities available for almost every graduate student at this school. There are a few specific offers for students of the business administration college.

You should also check out the 40,000-plus alumni network. Because of the excellent graduation rate at the business school, you’ll have lots of opportunities to connect with your peers or faculty or get your foot in the door for employment after graduation. You can connect with those who experienced the same MBA program that you will.

The classes offered by this program are rigorous and detailed. They’re also supplemented by real-world projects and case studies to apply your learned knowledge. This program does a great job of preparing you for real-world business scenarios. When you get hired by a company you won’t be confused as you try to apply your learning to actual issues. For those in marketing, this can be almost as valuable as the tailored curriculum itself.

More Information About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

The Pomona campus is the second of the two Polytechnic universities within the CSU system. It opened in 1938. These days, it offers multitudes of degrees and programs across multiple subjects and industries. It’s situated very close to downtown Los Angeles. This enables all of its students to take advantage of the sunny Southern California lifestyle. There are countless metropolitan distractions in southern California, along with plenty of leisure opportunities available. It also has a big main campus measuring 1,725 acres. This is the second largest in the entire California State University system and one of the best according to U.S. News & World Report.

#7. Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Online MBA, Marketing Data Analytics

Colorado State University Fort Collins provides a unique MBA pathway. This is a best marketing master degree for students. CSU is ranked as one of the top schools for higher education by U.S. News & World Report.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

It’s an online MBA program with a niche specialization in marketing data analytics. It features a curriculum that combines standard business administration and managerial classes. It also has in-depth marketing data analytics classes. The resulting graduate should be able to lead marketing teams. At the same time, they will be able to understand marketing data to a greater degree than many other MBA graduates.

The marketing classes are unlike any others you can find across most other universities. You’ll take classes that teach you how to use some of the best digital data collection tools in the business industry. You’ll also gain the skills to filter that data through a business focus lens. Some of these classes are quite similar to the skill sets you would learn within statistics programs. Students with some experience in this area will find themselves right at home.

The curriculum has advanced marketing classes in:

• data mining and analytics
• database concepts in the business world
• making strong business decisions
• consumer insight
• information management
• marketing research
• marketing analytics
• consumer behavior
• global marketing
• business analytics
• public relations
• product management
• pricing strategies
• integrated marketing communications

The MBA side of things provides lots of classes on marketing science and management and research methods. You’ll also learn about leadership in teams and even marketing strategy and planning. It’s a comprehensive class list for any position that is even somewhat related to marketing managing as a profession.

All of the required classes are offered online. There are 42 credits of study in total. Each class is taught by a world-renowned faculty that has business experience already. This program is also quite flexible in terms of scheduling. Students who pursue it at maximum pace can expect to complete everything within 21 months.

You can take up to five years to complete all of the program requirements before you need to reapply. Every semester at the school is divided into twin eight-week sessions. This provides an accelerated format for every class regardless of your overall schedule system. This program is top ranked by the Financial Times on its list of the best online MBA programs for graduation rate. It’s also one of the top business schools in general.

It’s one of the best MBAs for those students wanting to specialize in marketing science and management. That’s because of its class emphasis on data analytics and implementation.

More Information About CSU

CSU is worth visiting for its campus alone. That’s true even if you plan to take advantage of the online program. It’s located close to the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. It has a 583-acre campus with astounding views throughout most months of the year. The campus is dominated by an expensive green oval. It’s lined with beautiful trees and several recreational centers for its students. The university is a mere two hours away from many major ski resorts. It’s 45 minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park. Active students or those who like to exercise in the outdoors will find this campus’ location suitable for their lifestyles.

#8. Texas Tech University

Master of Science in Marketing Research and Analytics

Texas Tech University is one of the few schools that offers a specialized M.S. in marketing research and analytics. This is a top masters marketing management degree and it’s offered by one of the country’s best business schools.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

These master’s degrees in marketing are 30-hour programs. They have a curriculum that encompasses qualitative and quantitative marketing data gathering and analytical skills. The program teaches students to collect data and filter them through a marketing and business-oriented lens. With a leading graduation rate, it combines a lot of the basic concepts from statistics classes with excellent marketing classes. These are foundational courses that can refine that knowledge into useful business practices and solutions. 

Core courses include studies in:

• International marketing
• Market research
• Digital marketing
• Consumer behavior
• Marketing analytics
• Statistical analysis
• Consumer intelligence
• Marketing analytics
• Strategic marketing
• Marketing decision making

Several of the classes deal with cutting-edge statistical techniques and how to best apply their results to your current business problem. Other classes are broader. They detail marketing concepts and strategies both in a historical and modern context. Your classes will focus on marketing forecasting and analytics. One course will teach you how to interpret current marketing trends and predict how marketing might change in the future. 

It’s a great marketing program if you are in need of a flexible scheduling system. This is a 100% online degree. You can jump into the program during any semester of the year. You’ll be able to jump in and out of the marketing program as well. That’s provided that you take at least one class for the entirety of your studies. This enables you to take certain semesters where you load up on coursework and other semesters where you coast by with just a single class. It all depends on your home or work life. You’ll be able to earn the degree in as little as two years. That’s true even if you only follow a part-time schedule. Of course, students that can devote more time and energy to the program can complete everything in as little as a single year.

All students who apply are considered for a competitive scholarship. This knocks off a significant part of your tuition. Anyone admitted to this marketing program may find that it’s much cheaper than planned for because of this fantastic financial aid opportunity. Texas residents will find that they have even more scholarship opportunities. Admission is a bit more intense than several other programs on our list so far. However, Texas Tech requires a detailed and extensive professional resume and three letters of recommendation. This is also one of the few schools that don’t require GRE scores. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, this is one of the best places to earn a master’s or pursue doctoral degree programs of all kinds.

More Information About Texas Tech

The rest of Texas Tech boasts other major qualities to prove its worth. It’s a new school, founded in 1923. However, it features the seventh-largest student body in the entire state. It offers over 150 courses of study. It’s all centered around a Spanish Renaissance-themed campus. Many of the buildings and appliances are powered by wind energy. A public art collection here is ranked among the 10 best in the United States. This reflects the university’s rich culture and storied history.

#9. California State University-Chico

Master of Business Administration

The CSU system has many phenomenal schools. However, California State University at Chico’s marketing program is worthwhile to any aspiring marketing manager. It offers an MBA that provides you an opportunity to specialize the degree.  You can pursue concentrations in marketing managing or another related business field depending on your preference.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

It features a common core list of classes to tackle the major foundational business administration sides of the degree. However, it also incorporates a mathematics class that goes over the statistics of business and economics. You’ll study topics like marketing research, consumer behavior, and marketing analytics.

This class is added to classes focusing on managing and marketing to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education. It’s also available to students of any undergraduate degree major. You don’t have to have a background in business to be admitted to this marketing program.

It has one of the most comprehensive prerequisite equivalency systems you can find in universities these days. You’ll meet with an advisor upon being accepted into the marketing program. He or she will go over the prerequisites you do or do not have. Some prerequisites are needed to achieve the core competencies of the marketing program from the beginning.

You’ll take classes that cover subjects like:

• financial accounting
• international marketing research
• marketing strategies
• brand management
• product development
• public relations
• international marketing
• social media
• marketing models
• financial reporting
• consumer intelligence
• customer value
• statistical analysis

CSU Chico’s system enables many classes that are at least somewhat related to the prerequisites to count for the appropriate amount of credits. You’ll also be able to take quick catch-up mini-courses. In some cases, you can skip the prerequisites based on your work experience and your existing degree. It’s  a flexible system. It is one of the most accessible for students of disciplines other than business or marketing.

The curriculum consists of 30 to 33 units depending on the classes selected. You must complete the degree within five years of your enrollment in the marketing program. Most students will take two years or less to complete the degree. This is because of the flexible scheduling systems available. Most students are able to take summer classes if they want to accelerate their graduation timeline.

Unlike many MBAs, all students must complete a master’s project or thesis in order to graduate. The project is better for those who want to prove their practical mastery of their skills. The thesis is a great choice for graduates more interested in the academic side of their material. An additional independent study class is available for those who have to work while they complete their education. Your existing work experience may even count for course credit toward this requirement.

More Information About CSU Chico

CSU Chico is the second oldest of the 23 campuses in the CSU system. It has an average enrollment of over 17,000 students. It opened in 1887 and is top ranked by publications like The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. It has a beautiful 119-acre main campus. It is the site of 2330 acres of ecological reserves. It’s a perfect school for environment-minded business students. 

#10. University of Houston

Master of Science in Marketing

The University of Houston offers a Master of Science in marketing program via the business school. It is suitable for both part-time and full-time students alike. It requires 36 credit hours in total for graduation. Those 36 credit hours can be completed in 12 months if you commit to the marketing program full-time. Or they can be completed in 24 months if a part-time schedule suits your lifestyle better. It has an excellent graduation rate.

This school might be last on our list of the top master of marketing management degrees. However, it’s one of the best according to publications like Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.

Curriculum for the Master’s Degrees in Marketing

You’ll enjoy the full time program’s cutting-edge curriculum. It incorporates classes in:

• digital marketing
• customer relationship management
• social media marketing
• marketing analysis
• consumer behavior
• social media marketing
• public relations

The curriculum also provides many niche electives. These let you specialize the degree even further or pursue topics that are of personal interest.

Some of the electives on offer include:

• Product Management
• Digital Analytics
• Financial Accounting
• International Marketing Research
• Marketing Strategies
• Brand Management
• Product Development
• Entrepreneurship and Technology
• Marketing Communications
• Global Marketing
• Marketing Analytics
• Business Analytics
• Strategic Marketing

These classes will give you the skills you need to lead teams in companies and organizations. All students must complete a professional project in order to graduate. This will serve not only as proof of your understanding of the material but also be a great example of your skills for future employers.

Many of the classes are also offered between 6 and 9 PM on one evening a week. This is great for working professionals who need to balance their work schedule with their schooling.

UH is connected to the Houston business community. Students admitted to this full time marketing program will have lots of opportunities to network and complete real-life projects with Houston industry leaders. Internships are available and plentiful.

This school also has a high-ranking faculty collection that is world-renowned for its research and awards. Two-semester application deadlines give you multiple opportunities for application and admission. This removes some stress as you put your portfolio together. Students that don’t have their tuition covered by FAFSA-related offerings can take advantage of specific scholarships provided by UH. These scholarships are quite diverse and expansive. They may do a lot to drive down the overall cost of your tuition. 

More Information About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a great college through and through. It opened in 1927. It is already the third-largest university in all of Texas. It is the site of a huge amount of research activity. But it also features a selection of high-quality varsity athletic teams. The football team often makes appearances at the college level bowl games. UH’s men’s golf team has won 16 national championships. This makes them the most successful NCAA team in history. Both sports and academics are held in high regard here.

Other Notable Marketing Programs

#11. McDaniel College

Location: Westminster, Maryland

Degree: MBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $9150/9150

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#12. Washington & Jefferson College 

Location: Washington, Pennsylvania

Degree: MBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $2300/2300

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#13. Furman University

Location: Greenville, South Carolina

Degree: Master of Science in Marketing

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $9720/9720

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#14. The College of New Jersey

Location: Ewing Township, New Jersey

Degree: Marketing and Interdisciplinary Business BSBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $16707/24445

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#15. East Carolina University

Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Degree: Marketing BSBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $7485/20634

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#16. California State University-East Bay

Location: Hayward, California

Degree: MBA, Marketing Science and Management

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $17848/17848

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#17. California Lutheran University

Location: Thousand Oaks, California

Degree: MBA, Marketing Concentration

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $19215/19215

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#18. University of Florida

Location: Gainesville, Florida

Degree: Master of Science in Marketing

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $12737/30130

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#19. California State University-Northridge

Location: Los Angeles, California

Degree: MBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $8327/17831

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#20. University of California-Riverside

Location: Riverside, California

Degree: MBA

In/Out-of-State Tuition: $13584/28686

Website

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