by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,069 U.S. colleges awarded 56,635 degrees and certificates in Marketing. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 82% of graduates. College Factual ranks 666 schools in its 2027 Best Marketing Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $48,089 one year after completing, rising to $71,171 after four years.
Clever marketing and advertising serves an extremely valuable function to both businesses and consumers. Marketing is necessary to alert consumers to products or ideas that will improve their life. If the marketing attempts are successful, the business gets a loyal customer. This benefits everyone!
I'm sure everyone has seen a bad ad, but even more of us have seen ads, commercials, marketing slogans or social media campaigns that are fun and interesting. If you are a creative, analytical and energetic person with an interest in business, Marketing would be an excellent major for you.
A program in Marketing will educate students about how to create and sell products and services that will intrigue a consumer audience and move the supply off the producer's inventory. There are a few concentrations within this major; they include Marketing Research and International Marketing. While studying Marketing, you will be taking courses in consumer behavior, marketing research, marketing management, advertising and promotion, and marketing strategy.
A degree in Marketing involves the study of Marketing.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., marketing is a widely-pursued major, with 56,635 degrees awarded annually. 1,069 colleges award marketing degrees, an average of 53 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 991.
By level, the 56,635 awards include 500 certificates, 2,122 associate degrees, 46,279 bachelor’s degrees, 7,683 master’s degrees and 9 doctorates.
Women earned 60% of marketing degrees and certificates in the latest year (34,238 of 56,635). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (33,506) and Hispanic or Latino (8,810), and international students earned 2,576.
College Factual ranks 666 schools in its 2027 Best Marketing Schools ranking, including 61 for associate degrees, 562 for bachelor’s degrees and 62 for master’s degrees. It also ranks marketing schools within 52 states. In all, 1,069 colleges offer marketing programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Marketing Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common marketing credential is the bachelor’s degree: 46,279 of the 56,635 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to marketing call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Sales and Marketing and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Creative thinkers are often found in this major. Marketing is about standing apart from the competition, making innovative ad campaigns and ideas are essential. The ability to collaborate with others and work with a team is important for success in college and in your career. Strong oral and written skills are two important skills needed for this major.
Marketers need to thoroughly understand their product, as well as the marketplace to understand what it is customers want. Research and critical analysis will be integral functions as well as an interest in human behavior.
Gaining work experience while still in college may help you find a job after graduating. Take advantage of internship programs, or find a part-time job that gives you experience in the business or customer service field. There is opportunity to gain a Master in Marketing if you decide to further your education.
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How long a marketing degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 500 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,122 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 46,279 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,683 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to marketing, at 51.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 51.8% |
| Master’s degree | 23.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.0% |
| Some college courses | 4.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| First professional degree | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Marketing, with an average median salary of $93,614; the strongest outlook belongs to Web and Digital Interface Designers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Social Media Specialist, Marketing Specialist, Technical Marketing Specialist and Marketing Consultant.
Graduates with a degree in Marketing have many different career options they can pursue. They find work as Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relation Specialists, Art Directors, Market and Survey Researchers, and Buyers and Purchasers. These careers all involve helping companies promote their products and services. Job demand varies depending on what area you pursue.
The occupation related to marketing with the most projected jobs is Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, at 671,367.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Fundraising Managers | 340,731 | -1.0% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 324,973 | -3.3% |
| Marketing Managers | 259,371 | -4.4% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
Marketing graduates earn a median $48,089 one year after completing their program, $71,171 after four years and $69,363 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,089 |
| 4 years | $71,171 |
| 5 years | $69,363 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to marketing, with a median salary of $124,518.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $113,521 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| Marketing Managers | $90,143 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
| Search Marketing Strategists | $85,177 |
Marketing includes 5 concentrations that together award 56,635 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Marketing/Marketing Management, General (52,699), Digital Marketing (1,988) and Marketing, Other (1,245). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 827,514 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 52,699 |
| Digital Marketing | 1,988 |
| Marketing, Other | 1,245 |
| International Marketing | 521 |
| Marketing Research | 182 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,764 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
