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2023 Marketing Degree Guide

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.

An Increase in Marketing Degrees

#17 Most Popular Major
52.9k Degrees Awarded
1.2% Increase in Graduates

In 2020-2021, marketing was the 17th most popular major nationwide with 52,916 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 654 over the prior year, a growth of 1.2%.

Our 2023 Best Marketing Schools ranking analyzes 791 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for marketing students. Explore this or one of our many other custom marketing rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Marketing
2023 Overall Best Marketing Colleges >

Best Marketing Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Marketing
Bachelor's Degrees in Marketing
Master's Degrees in Marketing
Doctorate Degrees in Marketing

 

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Marketing

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.

Getting Accepted Into a Marketing Program

New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic marketing program qualifications, to serve in some marketing careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.

Types of Marketing Degrees

There are many different marketing degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in marketing to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the marketing degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to marketing, with approximately 46.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for marketing workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree 38.5%
Master’s Degree 17.2%
Doctoral Degree 16.2%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 3.7%
Some College Courses 2.4%

Most workers in marketing have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in marketing have obtained.

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The education level required is different depending on the marketing career you are seeking.

Career Opportunities for Marketing Majors

Above Average Number of Jobs
$43k Average Starting Salary
16% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

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.

High Growth Projected for Marketing Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your marketing degree? Marketing careers are expected to grow 15.6% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to marketing.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 733,700 23.2%
Sales Managers 414,400 7.5%
Marketing Managers 240,400 10.1%
Business Professors 123,000 18.0%
Advertising and Promotions Managers 33,000 5.4%

How Much Money Do People With a Marketing Degree Make?

Recently graduated marketing students earned an average of $42,954 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $12,076 to as high as $155,920. As you might expect, salaries for marketing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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Highest Paid Marketing Careers

Salaries for marketing graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers marketing grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Marketing Managers $147,240
Sales Managers $140,320
Advertising and Promotions Managers $133,090
Business Professors $103,330
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $70,960

Getting Your Marketing Degree

With over 2,087 different marketing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased marketing school rankings to help you with this.


 

Marketing is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.

Marketing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 50,275
Other Marketing 1,353
International Marketing 582
Digital Marketing 477
Marketing Research 229

View All Marketing Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 416,590
Accounting 99,265
Finance & Financial Management 57,778
General Business/Commerce 56,042
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 43,382

View All Marketing Related Majors >

References

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