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Key takeaway: Online marketing degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level by accredited schools nationwide. Marketing programs sit within the broader business curriculum and typically combine coursework in consumer behavior, digital channels, branding, and analytics. Program structure, admissions requirements, and cost vary by school – compare accredited programs below.
An online marketing degree explores how organizations research audiences, position products, and communicate value across digital and traditional channels. Accredited online programs generally deliver the same curriculum and degree titles as campus programs; browse the best accredited online colleges to compare schools that offer them. Most marketing programs sit within a school’s accredited business division, so verify recognized institutional accreditation and, where relevant, business-program accreditation such as AACSB or ACBSP.
These accredited schools offer online marketing programs and are ordered by our independent BOC Score. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
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Browse marketing programs by degree level below.
Online marketing programs typically cover how organizations identify audiences, position products, and communicate value. Coursework commonly spans marketing principles, consumer behavior, market research, digital and social media marketing, branding, and marketing analytics.
Common levels include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS), and a master’s degree (MBA or MS in Marketing). Some schools also offer graduate certificates in digital marketing or marketing analytics.
No. Marketing is not a licensed profession. Some specialized certifications exist (such as vendor certifications in digital advertising platforms or analytics tools), but they are optional credentials, not state licenses.
Students should verify institutional accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education database. Many business schools also pursue specialized accreditation from AACSB or ACBSP, which can indicate a more rigorously reviewed business curriculum.
A marketing degree focuses specifically on consumer research, branding, and promotion, while a general business administration degree covers marketing alongside finance, management, and operations. Some schools offer marketing as a concentration within a business administration degree rather than as a standalone major.
Degree levels in marketing generally build on one another, moving from broad business fundamentals toward specialized strategic and analytical roles.
| Degree Level | Typical Credits | Typical Duration | Common Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | 60-64 | 2 years | Marketing assistant, social media coordinator |
| Bachelor’s | 120-128 | 4 years | Marketing coordinator, digital marketing specialist, market research analyst |
| Master’s | 30-60 | 1-2 years | Marketing manager, brand manager, marketing director |
For the cost side of this comparison, see Affordable Marketing Programs and Is a Marketing Degree Worth It.
Online marketing programs blend business fundamentals with applied practice. Core coursework commonly spans marketing principles, consumer behavior, market research and analytics, digital and social media marketing, branding and positioning, advertising and promotion, and marketing strategy. Many bachelor’s and master’s programs let students choose electives or a concentration in areas such as digital marketing, brand management, or marketing analytics.
Marketing graduates apply their skills across industries including retail, technology, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofit organizations. Entry-level and coordinator-level roles are generally accessible with a bachelor’s; management and strategy-focused roles typically call for a combination of a graduate degree and relevant experience.
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | $133,660 |
| Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist | $78,760 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| Occupation | Projected job growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist | 6.7% |
| Marketing Manager | 6.6% |
| Public Relations Specialist | 4.8% |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | -2.2% |
Common roles associated with a marketing degree include marketing coordinator, digital marketing specialist, market research analyst, social media manager, brand manager, and marketing manager. Career outcomes vary by employer, experience, and local market – see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for current national wage and outlook data by occupation.
Marketing or a related field? Choose marketing for a focused path into brand, digital, and consumer-research roles; explore business administration for a broader management foundation.
Prefer to study close to home? Browse online marketing programs by state for state salary data, licensing details, and city-level guides.
Aiming at a specific role? See how to become a marketing manager. Wondering where it leads? See what you can do with a marketing degree for the jobs and BLS salary data behind the degree. Compare programs by level or format:
