The 15 Best Online Marketing Degree Programs

According to a Fall 2013 survey of 161 companies, conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), recent business graduates appear to have a slight edge for hire-ability over engineers. Forbes published the results in Apr 2014: 68% of employers surveyed said they were planning for business graduates, 66% for Engineering and 59% for Accounting. Computer Science ranked 4th at 50%. Marketing is an especially important part of business-related skills. Career-wise, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 249,600 people employed as “Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers” alone (October 2017 data), with an annual median wage for marketing managers of $131,180. In the “Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists” category, 558,630 people were employed, with a mean wage of $70,600/year and an annual median wage of $62,5600. If you’re considering a career in marketing and favor studying online, we present our picks for 15 of the top online marketing degree programs in the United States, below. Our methodology first selected all schools listed at the NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) College Navigator Web site as offering a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in the form of one or more online programs. We then evaluated those programs according to 4 scores: support, financial, quality, and flexibility. For the support score we considered if the school made certain student services available to online students. We specifically looked for the availability of digital or electronic library resources, library collections shred with other institutions, job placement services, employment services for students, academic and career counseling services, and remedial education services. For the financial score we looked at the average price after applied grants and scholarship aid and the total price for out-of-state students living off campus. For quality, we looked at the percent of admitted students, the graduate rate, and the student-to-faculty ratio. And finally, to determine a program’s flexibility we considered if credit was given for life experiences and if the school at flexibility enhancing options like multiple start dates or accelerated coursework. You can read more about our methodology below.

Before You Apply

Online degrees of course offer students the flexibility to study from almost anywhere with an Internet connection and a suitable computer and/or tablet — be it due to working full-time, raising a family, being a caregiver for an elderly family member, or being remote due to work or military duty.Before choosing an online marketing degree program, be sure that it has the proper accreditation and matches your mode of learning for online courses. Online courses often require more discipline to learn from than on-campus courses, so being prepared for the pace of each course is important to success. As well, some institutions offer online programs differently than for on-campus programs, occasionally having students focus on as little as one or two courses before moving to additional courses. This may or may not suit your style of learning, so be sure to find out class schedules for each degree program in which you are interested. Some schools also have sample or demo courses that you can try out, to help you decide whether to apply to the school or not. Also note: some of the institutions in this list offer only “degree completion” programs for a bachelor’s in Marketing. That is, you need a certain number of requisite credits (often 2-3 years) from either the school in question or from another school (transfer credits).

Types of Bachelor’s in Marketing Degrees

Many of the degrees listed below fall into several categories of types of marketing degrees. As you will see, you can earn a bachelor’s of science in marketing, a bachelor’s of science in business with concentration in marketing, or a bachelor’s of business administration in marketing. These degrees will differ slightly. Typically, a BS in marketing degree will cover general business classes plus a range of classes marketing. Many BS in marketing degrees also offer concentrations in a particular type of marketing, like digital marketing or social media marketing. Meanwhile, BS in business degrees will cover more general business classes, with additional electives in marketing. Finally, a BBA in marketing will include general business classes, a number of managerial or administration classes, and special classes in marketing. Some BS in Business and BBA in marketing degree programs will include additional tracks for certain types of marketing, but these are slightly more rare given the additional curriculum already built into those degree programs.

Methodology:

• Support Score (1/4): calculated based on availability of the following services: digital or electronic library resources, library collections shred with other institutions, job placement services, employment services for students, academic and career counseling services, and remedial education services.
• Financial Score (1/4): calculated based on average price after applied grants and scholarship aid and the total price for out-of-state students living off campus
• Quality Score (1/4): calculated based on percent of admitted students, graduate rate, and student-to-faculty ratio
• Flexibility Score (1/4): calculated based on credit given for life experiences and flexibility enhancing options

1. Concordia University – Saint Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul is a liberal arts university in St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1893, the university was started to provide a Christian learning environment for students wishing to enter professional ministries in the Lutheran Church. Today, Concordia is still affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod but has expanded its degree programs and mission to include many other educational paths. With a student body of 4,500, Concordia can offer individualized education while still having the same variety of degree programs as a larger university. That includes offering a variety of online degree programs from the associate’s to doctoral level. One of Concordia’s online degree programs includes a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. The degree is specially designed for working professionals who need the flexibility of online classes with accelerated courses to shorten the time-to-degree. Studies in the online marketing degree program take courses in marketing innovation, marketing research, international marketing, and applied business ethics. The Concordia marketing program prepares students to start careers in marketing and business through a hands-on learning model with students creating their own marketing strategies and business plans. That educational model clearly pays off with 92% of Concordia students getting jobs upon graduation.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $33,050
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 16-1

2. Husson University

Founded in 1898 as the Shaw School of Business, Husson University grew over time to offer a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Today, Husson is a private university in Maine. With approximately 3,500 students, Husson provides individualized educational experiences to each of its students. To ensure that individualized educational mission is met, Husson focuses on experiential learning and global engagement. Those values can be seen in each of Husson’s 80 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. At Husson University, students can earn a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a Marketing Management Concentration. With a 100% online degree program with accelerated options, students can complete their degree in as little as 2 years. Students in the BSBA program take general classes in marketing principles, business ethics, accounting, economics, and management. Additionally, students in the marketing management track take focused classes on international marketing, marketing research, and consumer behavior. Through these marketing specific coursework, in addition to the general business classes, Husson graduates are well prepared to start their marketing careers with a leg up.

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Marketing Management Concentration
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $27,132
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 15-1

3. University of Mary

The University of Mary is a private, Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine university near Bismarck, North Dakota. Founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery as a women’s college, University of Mary became fully co-educational in the 1960s and attained university status in 1986. Today, UMary has over 3,300 students and offers more than 65 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level. That means UMary students get the individualized educational experience found at a small university, but with the degree options available at a larger university. Some of those degree options include 100% online programs. One such online program is UMary’s Bachelor’s in Marketing degree. UMary’s online marketing degree program covers traditional and digital advertising, sales, and public relations. Additionally, students take courses in marketing, product promotion, market research, and consumer demand in private, public, and non-profit sectors. UMary also offers several flexible options like accelerated coursework, start times every 5 weeks, and multiple learning options. That means students can design a degree program that best fits their busy lives.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $27,561
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 13-1

4. Park University

Park University was founded in 1875 in Parkville, Missouri. The school initially started under the arrangement that students would receive free tuition in exchange for working for the college. It is clear that Park continues its initial mission of innovative educational models through their Today, Park University has an undergraduate enrollment of 11,500 students. That means students have a lot of options to explore when it comes to choosing their degree, including many 100% online degree programs. One of Park’s online degree programs is their Bachelor’s in Marketing. This online degree program is designed to give students the necessary skills to find jobs in advertising, sales, marketing management, international marketing, retail, and market research. Students take general business classes in accounting, economics, international business, and management. Marketing students also have the option of 2 tracks: Digital Marketing or Professional Sales. While both tracks include coursework on consumer behavior and marketing research, the digital marketing track of the online degree also includes classes on digital media, social media marketing, and graphic design. Meanwhile the professional sales track includes coursework on retail administration, sales management, and international negotiations.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $23,270
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 17-1

5. Davenport University

Founded in 1866, Davenport University is a private, non-profit university with campuses through Michigan and online. Initially, the school was called the Grand Rapids Business College but after Michael Davenport saved it from closing in 1910, the school was eventually renamed in his honor. Today, Davenport University has over 7,700 students and offers degrees from the associate’s to the master’s level. With over 50 areas of study, students have the ability to explore their interests. Davenport has especially strong business programs with nearly a fifth of its student population enrolled in the business administration program. As Davenport’s most popular degree program, the Bachelor’s in Business Administration must be doing something right. Part of its success comes from the variety of tracks students can pursue. One of those tracks includes the Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration. Students can further refine their marketing degree by choosing to specialize in digital marketing and advertising, marketing technology, or value chain. Students also have the opportunity to gain up to 4 marketing certifications over the course of their degree, ensuring they have the necessary qualifications for their chosen career.

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Marketing concentration
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $27,039
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 11-1

6. Tiffin University

Tiffin University is a private coeducational university in Tiffin, Ohio. Founded in 1888, Tiffin University was initially known as the Commercial College, which focused on business courses, and was affiliated with Heidelberg College. Eventually, Tiffin became its own independent university in 1917, but retained much of its focus on business programs. Today, Tiffin maintains its small size with an enrollment just over 4,000 students. That means each students gets individual educational attention, but through flexible options like online degree programs, can design a degree that works best for their needs. One such degree program is Tiffin’s Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. The degree is available fully online in two 7-week terms each semester, with 6 different start dates over the course of the year. Students in the marketing program take general business classes like accounting, economics, business law, and organizational management. They also take courses specific to marketing that prepares them to enter jobs in e-Commerce, brand management, marketing research, and professional sales.

• Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $35,861
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 15-1

7. University of Northwestern Ohio

The University of Northwestern Ohio, or UNOH, is a private, open admissions university in Lima, Ohio. UNOH pursues a career-focused educational model that focuses on preparing students to enter business, professional, corporate, and technological fields. This focus contributes to unique educational experiences found at UNOH. For instance, UNOH is also the only university in the nation to own a racetrack and the first university to offer scholarships in motorsports.The university has 4,500 students enrolled across their five colleges and 60 degree programs, including many fully online degree programs. One of those online degree programs is the Bachelor’s in Marketing. UNOH’s marketing curriculum is designed to give students workplace experience through the completion of marketing and business projects, as well as having students begin taking marketing courses as soon as their first semester. Students learn about marketing principles, market research, organizational management, customer needs, and international marketing. As such, UNOH graduates are prepared for careers in social media marketing, brand management, direct marketing promotions, and sales managers.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $22,380
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 26-1

8. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in Riverside, California. Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College, CBU still retains its relationship with the California Southern Baptist Convention. While CBU only had 120 students when it started, today it has an enrollment over 9,000. With that size, CBU can offer a lot of options to their students while maintaining the feel of small university. Those degree offerings include 38 online programs from the bachelor’s level all the way to doctoral degrees. One of CBU’s online degree programs includes a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. The program has accelerated options that allow for online students to complete their degrees in as little as 16 months. Students in the marketing program get a general business education as well as advanced training in marketing. Marketing specific coursework for this fully online degree includes marketing research, integrated marketing communications, consumer behavior, and marketing management. In keeping with CBU’s Baptist mission, marketing students also take management with biblical foundation.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $48,284
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 18-1

9. Post University

Post University is a private, for-profit university in Waterbury, Connecticut. Founded in 1890 as the Matoon Shorthand School, the college originally focused in business. The school maintained that focus to today, but expanded offerings to include the wide span of degree programs covered at most universities. Today, Post has over 7,000 students. That small student body allows Post to offer individual educational experience across each of its 25 degree programs. Post continues to push educational boundaries through offering all of its courses in fully only or hybrid formats. One of Post’s fully online degree programs includes a Bachelor’s in Marketing. In addition to a general marketing, students have the option to choose between 5 concentrations: digital marketing, integrated marketing communications, international marketing, sales management, and sports marketing. Through these concentrations students can design a degree that better suits their career goals. Post students also take College Success Seminars and Professional Success Seminars to help them prepare for the job market and to find success upon graduation.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $30,264
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 19-1

10. Baker College

Founded in 1911, Baker College is a private college in Michigan. The college started as a business school in Flint, Michigan, but has expanded over the years to offer a wide variety of degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Today, Baker has 13 locations through Michigan as well as online programs. Baker also participates in the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars Transfer Agreement, which means students can transfer up to 30 general education credit hours to participating 4 year institutions in Michigan. Part of Baker’s success is through its many online offerings. One of those online degree programs includes a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. BBA Marketing students take general business classes like accounting, economics, and management, but also take marketing focuses classes on topics like digital marketing, marketing research, and sales strategy. Baker’s online marketing degree program also ensures that students get hands-on experience through a required 120 hour learning experience course. That means students graduate with the knowledge they need and the experience required to start off in their careers.

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $22,440
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 19-1

11. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University, or SNHU, is a private university between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. The university was initially founded in 1932 as a for-profit business school. The school became nonprofit in 1968 and slowly added more degree programs outside of business. Today, SNHU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across their 6 schools, including many online degree programs. With an enrollment of nearly 73,000 students, most online, SNHU offers a significant amount of fully online degrees that include enough variety for students to really explore their interests. One of SNHU’s online degree programs includes a bachelor’s in marketing. This degree program offers 2 concentrations: digital marketing and social media marketing. In addition to a general marketing curriculum, the digital marketing track includes coursework on SEO, mobile marketing, and digital analytics while the social media marketing track includes coursework on social media marketing management and social media marketing strategy. SNHU also offers a BS-to-MS pathway that allows students to earn their master’s in marketing in significantly less time.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $43,338
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 30-1

12. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private research institution in New Castle, Delaware. Founded in 1968 with an initial class of 194 students, Wilmington today boasts over 20,500 students and nearly 100 degree programs over 7 colleges at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of those colleges is the College of Online & Experiential Learning, which offers 95 fully online degree programs, concentrations, and certificates and serves over 40% of Wilmington’s study body. One of those 95 online degree programs is a Bachelor’s in Marketing. In addition to the general business core, marketing students also take specialized classes in internet marketing, sports marketing, personal selling, and marketing design. Students are also required to complete a marketing internship as part of their degree. That requirement ensures students leave Wilmington with experience in marketing. Wilmington’s marketing program also pushes innovation through their cooperative learning experiences mean that students can count work experience towards their course work.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $20,030
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 14-1

13. McKendree University

McKendree University is a private liberal arts university in Lebanon, Illinois. Founded in 1828 as Lebanon Seminary, McKendree is the oldest college in Illinois. Today, it maintains its affiliation with the United Methodist Church. McKendree has nearly 3,000 students across its 4 colleges and schools. That small size means students ensure they get individualized education in each of their classes. Due to its location in the Greater St. Louis area, McKendree students can take advantage of the intimate setting of a liberal arts school while still gaining the diverse experiences found in a major metropolitan area. McKendree also offers several fully online degree programs. One of those is a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Online marketing students get flexible options like taking courses as their schedule allows as shortened course terms, which can shorten the time-to-degree. Marketing students take classes in topics like marketing research, advertising & promotion, consumer behavior, and marketing principles. Students can also continue their education at McKendree through pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $39,680
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 14-1

14. Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Initially, founded as a Baptist college, the university eventually ended its association with the Kentucky Baptist Convention in 2014. Today, Campbellsville University enrolls over 5,000 students at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. Campbellsville also offers online degree programs in a range of fields, including business, criminal justice, nursing, and leadership. One of Campbellsville’s online degree programs is a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. In addition to general business fundamentals like accounting, human resources, and economics. For the marketing specialty, students take additional classes in marketing research, sales management, promotion management, and consumer behavior. The bachelor’s degree also prepares Crampbellsville students to enter MBA programs or other similar graduate level business programs.

• Bachelors in Business Adminstration, Marketing Concentration
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $32,702
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 13-1

15. DeSales University

DeSales University is a private Catholic university in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The university offers traditional, online, and hybrid degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. With nearly 3,000 students, DeSales can offer individualized educational experiences while still providing a wide variety of degree programs to choose from. DeSales also works hard to ensure every student has equal access to education with more than 95% full-time students receiving some sort of financial aid. One of DeSales’ online degree programs is a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Marketing students take general business courses in economics, accounting, and management, as well as marketing-focused classes in topics like marketing research and consumer behavior. With flexible options including a generous transfer policy, students can design a degree that works for them and shorten their time-to-degree. DeSales’ students graduate with an understanding of marketing theory and practices ready to start jobs at business enterprises, institutions, and organizations.

• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition: $43,738
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 13-1