If your personal brand is branding, a master’s in marketing can help you to hone that passion into a career. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it’s a pretty lucrative career. The average annual wage for careers in marketing ranged from about $55,000 to $155,000 as of 2020.
In general, marketing managers tend to make more money each year, while sales-based marketing jobs and associates typically make less. If you’re looking for job security, the market research analyst job field is expected to grow by about 18% through 2029.
Tuition for a master’s in marketing program also ranges quite a bit, and is usually between $14,000 and $76,000 per academic year, though what you pay in tuition will vary depending on the type of school and program you attend. If you’re looking for the right program for you, we’ve highlighted some of the best master’s in marketing programs below, based on their academic excellence, affordability, and breadth of offerings.
Columbia University in the City of New York offers a master of science in marketing. This marketing science degree has a STEM-eligible curriculum with a focus on marketing analytics. It is recommended that students develop a foundational understanding of a database programming language and statistical package prior to entry. Course requirements include marketing models, mathematical methods, and multivariate statistics. Elective offerings include digital marketing, pricing strategies, and systematic creativity in business. To culminate the program, students can choose to pursue a master's thesis or take a doctoral course. The intensive degree program takes just two semesters to complete.
Columbia began in 1754 on funds from the New York state lottery. Columbia is the oldest higher education institution in the state and the fifth-oldest in the nation. It also stands among the nine colonial colleges founded prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Graduation rate: 96%
School status: Private
City location: New York, New York
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required, GRE 168 average quantitative score
Texas A&M University's Mays Business School offers a Master of Science in Marketing. The curriculum includes courses in Analyzing Consumer Behavior, Branding and Marketing Communications, and Product Innovation. All students must complete an internship, and most do in the summer between their first and second years. The university's Career Management Center assists students with internship placement and in their job search. The degree program spans four terms and is generally completed in 16 months.
Texas A&M was established in 1817 under the Morrill Act. It was the first public higher education institution in Texas and the founding campus of the Texas A&M University System. It opened as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas – hence the A&M and student nickname “Aggies." Today, it is the largest university in the state and the second largest in the nation.;
Graduation rate: N/A
School status: Public
City location: Killeen, Texas
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required, but recommended. Minimum GRE scores of 152 verbal, 154 quantitative and GMAT score of 600.
The University of Maryland, College Park offers a master of science in marketing analytics. the program focuses on the mathematical and statistical aspects of customer analysis in marketing. The plan of study includes course requirements in business ethics, data science, and statistical programs. Application courses are offered in market forecasting, retail analytics, and web analytics. The program culminates in an Action Learning Project in which students analyze data, report findings, and provide recommendations. The degree can be completed in 10 or 16 months.
UMD was chartered in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College. Today, UMD is known as the flagship university of the University System of Maryland, and the largest university in Maryland and the Washington metropolitan area. The university's proximity to the U.S. capital has led to research partnerships with the federal government.;
Graduation rate: 87%
School status: Public
City location: College Park, MD
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required, av. GRE score 317, av. GMAT score 665
Johns Hopkins University's Master of Science in Marketing program offers full- and part-time options. A part-time online option will be available beginning Fall 2019. All students must take 12 credits of foundational business courses. The core curriculum consists of three courses: consumer behavior, marketing research, and marketing strategy. Elective offerings include designing experiments, social media analytics, and strategic market intelligence. The degree can be completed in one full-time year or two part-time years.
The university was named for Quaker abolitionist and entrepreneur Johns Hopkins. Hopkins bequeathed $7 million of his railroad fortune to establish a hospital and university in Baltimore, MD. The sum is approximately equivalent to $145 million today and was at that time the largest philanthropic gift in U.S. history. JHU has campuses in Maryland and Washington, D.C. and international sites in China, Italy, and Singapore.;
Graduation rate: 94%
School status: Private
City location: Baltimore, MD
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
Michigan State University's master of science in marketing research program offers both full-time and online options. Both program formats feature the same courses taught by the same professors. Both programs use a "lock-step" cohort format, meaning students progress through the same plan of study together. The plan includes courses in consumer insights, data mining, and international marketing research. On-campus students also complete a directed consulting project and a summer project or internship. Online students can choose between two requirements that can be fulfilled through projects and capstone courses.
MSU was founded in 1855 as one of the nation's first higher education institutions to teach scientific agriculture. Today, MSU is one of the nation's largest universities in terms of student enrollment. In keeping with its scientific roots, the university is home to research facilities including the Abrams Planetarium, the Beal Botanical Garden, and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
Graduation rate: 81%
School status: Public
City location: East Lansing, MI
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
The University of Texas at Dallas offers a highly flexible master of science in marketing. The degree can be completed on campus, online, or a combination of both. Students choose between tracks in advertising & branding, business development, customer insights & analytics, digital marketing, marketing management, and product management. Core courses include consumer behavior and statistics and data analysis. Students can choose between capstone courses in competitive marketing strategy and marketing decision making. The degree can be completed in one to two years.
UT Dallas began as a research arm of Texas Instruments. The institution began in the early 1960s as the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest. Today, the public university is categorized in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.;
Graduation rate: 69%
School status: Public
City location: Richardson, TX
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
The University of Southern California highlights the "personalized and global-focused curriculum" of its master of science in marketing program. Specializations are offered in analytics and consumer behavior. Students discuss their career goals with the program's Associate Director, who helps them customize their plan of study accordingly. These students then take classes alongside students from other specialized master's programs. The program incorporates real-world projects and case studies from global perspectives. Course offerings include advertising and promotions; fashion, luxury and lifestyle marketing; and internet marketing.
Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California. Technologies invented at the university include antivirus software, the Domain Name System, and image compression.;
Graduation rate: 92%
School status: Private
City location: Los Angeles, CA
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
Georgia State University offers a master of science in marketing and a dual degree in marketing and big data analytics. The project-based marketing curriculum covers topics including brand management, data-driven marketing, and social media marketing. Four courses – including buyer behavior and data-driven marketing – earn students a graduate certificate of specialization in brand & customer management. Laid out into five "minimesters" with two courses each, the degree program allows students to work full-time.;
GSU was established in 1913 as the Georgia School of Technology's Evening School of Commerce. It became Georgia State University in 1969. Today, it is Georgia's largest institution of higher education and one of the top 10 largest in the nation. The public university is categorized within the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.
Graduation rate: 53%
School status: Public
City location: Atlanta, GA
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required (this fall only)
The University of Houston offers a customizable master of science in marketing program. The degree can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. Students can select electives from six areas: consulting, digital marketing, entrepreneurship & technology, marketing analytics, product management, and selling & sales management. Students must take foundational courses in financial accounting, practical marketing analysis, and quantitative analysis for business decisions. All students must also complete a professional project. The program offers students opportunities to create marketing campaigns for real clients, to plan and pitch businesses to potential partners, and to learn abroad in Paris.
UH began as the Houston Junior College in 1927. Since then, it has evolved into the third-largest university in Texas. The Carnegie Foundation categorizes it within the top tier of research universities. UH operates more than 40 research centers on campus and conducts interdisciplinary research in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy and natural resources, and space exploration.;
Graduation rate: 62%
School status: Public
City location: Houston, TX
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required
The University of South Florida offers a research-oriented master of science in marketing program which prepares graduates for careers in the technical aspects of the field. The degree can enhance working professionals' skills, qualify graduates for adjunct teaching roles, or prepare students for doctoral programs. Students can choose from three areas of emphasis: digital marketing and brand management, marketing analytics, and supply chain management. The core curriculum includes courses in creativity in marketing, consumer behavior, and digital marketing. Elective offerings include improvisation in business organizations and negotiating agreements and resolving conflicts.
USF was the first independent state university of the 20th century. Founded in 1956, the university was built on a former World War II airstrip which was previously the site of part of the world's largest orange grove. Today, the public university has three institutions, in Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, FL.
Graduation rate: 74%
School status: Public
City location: Tampa, FL
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
Clemson University's master of science in marketing program is designed for individuals with prior academic or professional experience in the business. The rigorous curriculum covers consumer analysis, marketing strategy, quantitative skills, and research methods. Course examples include buyer behavior, marketing research, and quantitative methods in marketing. The curriculum culminates in a master's research project, which involves the development and application of research toward a current problem in the business world. The degree program can be completed in one full-time year or two part-time years.
The university was founded in 1889 on the estate of Thomas Green Clemson. Clemson's will directed that his estate be used to build a university modeled after the Agricultural College of Mississippi, which is now the University of Mississippi. Today, Clemson University is a public university in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Clemson, SC.;
Graduation rate: 85%
School status: Public
City location: Clemson, SC
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required
Northwestern University offers a master of science in integrated marketing communications. The full-time program spans five intensive quarters. The first quarter is spent on core courses including consumer insight and marketing research. Students then dive into specialized sequences in brand strategy, consumer data analysis, and media channels. Elective sequences continue in the third quarter when students also learn about marketing strategy execution. The fifth and final quarter involves completion of any remaining requirements. Some fifth-quarter course offerings take students to Asia, London, or San Francisco.
Northwestern University is a private research university on the shores of Lake Michigan in suburban Evanston, IL, just outside of Chicago. It also has campuses in downtown Chicago and Qatar, and additional learning sites in Miami; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C. Students can travel between the Evanston and downtown Chicago campuses on the university's free shuttle bus service.;
Graduation rate: 95%
School status: Private
City location: Evanston, IL
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
Syracuse University's master of science in marketing is a STEM-designated program. In other words, the program incorporates interdisciplinary business, mathematical, and technical skills in its approach to marketing. The core curriculum consists of courses in creating customer value, managing the marketing mix, and a seminar in marketing research. While completing an internship is not required as part of the program, it is highly recommended.
The roots of Syracuse can be traced back to the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, an institution in Lima, NY, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church. After years of disputes, the institution relocated to Syracuse and expanded into a university. Today, the private university is categorized in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.;
Graduation rate: 83%
School status: Private
City location: Syracuse, NY
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required this year
The University of Cincinnati's Master of Science in Marketing is open to students with or without business-related undergraduate degrees. Course offerings include buyer behavior, design thinking for business, and systematic innovation tools. UC's MSM can be completed on a full- or part-time basis in as few as nine months. The MS in marketing program emphasizes experiential learning, and students have worked on real-world projects for companies such as General Electric and Johnson & Johnson.;
Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, UC is the oldest higher education institution in Cincinnati and the second largest university in Ohio. The public space-grant university is classified within the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. The University's Academic Health Center was the first to offer undergraduate degrees in nursing and developed the first live polio vaccine.;
Graduation rate: 73%
School status: Public
City location: Cincinnati, OH
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores are required
The University of Alabama offers a master of science in marketing with two specializations and two focused areas of study. The digital and social media marketing specialization offers courses in digital/social media analytics, personal selling, and sports business management. The marketing analytics specialization emphasizes data, programming, and statistics. The marketing management focus area offers courses such as advanced supply chain strategy and key account management. Students can choose to punctuate their program with a thesis or capstone project.
Established in 1820, UA is the oldest and largest public university in Alabama. The university served an activity center during the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. A sea-grant and space-grant university, UA is classified within the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.
Graduation rate: 72%
School status: Public
City location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required, minimum score of 550 on the GMAT or 300 on the GRE
Saint Joseph's University offers a master of science in marketing which can be completed on campus or online. Its on-campus international marketing specialization teaches students about the diverse trends and practices of the global marketplace. specialized courses include global cultures and consumers and international product development & brand management. The program culminates in an international marketing study tour experience abroad. The online customer analytics and insights specialization build students' understanding of customers in the contemporary technology-driven era. Courses include advertising & customer insight, digital marketing & web analytics, and qualitative marketing research. The MS in marketing can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
St. Joe's was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus. Today, it is the seventh oldest Jesuit university in the United States. The private university is also one of 28 members of the prestigious Association of American Universities.;
Graduation rate: 81%
School status: Private
City location: Philadelphia, PA
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores required
Hofstra University's master of science in marketing emphasizes the design and implementation of marketing plans. The program includes required residency workshops in calculus for business applications, information technology, library resource utilization, and statistics for business applications. Full-time students must complete the workshops during their first semester, while part-time students must complete them within their first two semesters. Course requirements include consumer behavior in the global environment, marketing analysis and management, and a research seminar in marketing. students may also complete a 100-hour work-study and written evaluation.
The university was founded on the estate of Dutch lumber entrepreneur William S. Hofstra. Today, it is the largest private college on Long Island. The university is located in suburban Hempstead, 25 miles east of New York City. Originally an extension of New York University, Hofstra gained independence in 1939 and university status in 1963.;
Graduation rate: 65%
School status: Private
City location: Hempstead, New York
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores not required
DePaul University's MS in marketing proposes four possible interest areas: digital marketing, health care, marketing strategy & planning, and sales leadership. Core courses include consumer behavior, effective business communication, and market research. Marketing courses are held on DePaul's Loop campus in downtown Chicago, near the corporate offices of businesses such as Boeing, McDonald's, and Walgreens. Students can also participate in a cultural exchange program with Symbiosis University in India.
Founded by Vincentians in 1898, the private Roman Catholic university was named for the 17th-century French priest St. Vincent de Paul. Today, it is the largest Catholic university in the United States by enrollment. DePaul has two main campuses: one in Chicago's Lincoln Park area, and one downtown.
Temple University's master of science in marketing can be completed on campus or online on a full- or part-time basis. It offers three areas of specialization: enterprise marketing management, marketing research and insight, and strategic advertising and marketing. The curriculum includes core courses in advertising research and strategy, consumer and buyer behavior, and marketing strategy. It culminates in an immersive enterprise marketing management capstone, in which students work with real-world clients on real-world problems and present their findings. MS in marketing students can receive career counseling and placement services through the university's Fox Center for Student Professional Development.
The university was founded in 1884 when minister Russell Cromwell began tutoring working-class citizens in the basement of his Baptist Temple late into the night. These students were deemed "night owls"—hence the university's current mascot, Hooter T. Owl. The school has six learning sites throughout Pennsylvania, as well as international campuses in Rome and Tokyo.
Graduation rate: 75%
School status: Public
City location: Philadelphia, PA
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores are required
The University of Colorado Denver offers a master of science in marketing program at its Anschutz Medical Campus. The program emphasizes digital marketing and the importance of modern technology in business success. The program can be completed in a full- or part-time capacity, with evening and online classes available. It offers seven specialization options, including global marketing, high-tech entrepreneurial marketing, and sports and entertainment marketing. The core curriculum covers topics such as consumer intelligence, marketing metrics, and marketing strategy. Students may choose to pursue a dual degree, combining the marketing MS with another MS program, such as health administration or international business.
UC Denver began as the center of the University of Colorado's Department of Correspondence and Extension, which was established in 1912. UC's Department of Medicine and Surgery was introduced in 1883 on the Boulder campus. The department grew, moved, and evolved into the modern-day Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. UC Denver also has a campus in downtown Denver.
Graduation rate: 44%
School status: Public
City location: Denver, CO
Standardized test scores/requirements: Test scores or work experience or 3.0 GPA required
Grad School Hub compiles rankings based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics play a significant role in how we source our educational data. After collecting insight for each institution, we organize information into five weighted categories.
Metric
Data Used
Percentage
Academic Quality
Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates
30%
Affordability
Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid
10%
Reputation
Admission and enrollment rates
30%
Program Offerings
Number of program options
20%
Online Enrollment Score
Portion of learners taking at least one online course
10%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible on our Ranking Methodology page.
Answering your questions about a master's in marketing
What can you do with a master’s in marketing?
Marketing graduates can pursue careers in marketing, branding, public relations, sales, advertising, and product development. A master’s degree in marketing prepares you for business management, data analysis, brand development, and more.
How much can you make with a master’s in marketing?
The BLS reports that marketing managers made an annual average wage of about $154,470 in 2020. Your salary, however, will depend on your experience, the employer, where you live, and the specific field you’re in.
Can you get a master’s in marketing without a bachelor’s in marketing?
Yes. Most programs do not require you to have a bachelor’s degree in the same field you’re pursuing a master’s degree in. You will need to have a bachelor’s degree, but it likely doesn’t have to be in marketing.
Master’s in Marketing Overview
A master’s degree in marketing will prepare you to lead marketing departments, branding initiatives, and product development. It’s a diverse major, and each program has different ways you can concentrate your education in a particular part of the field.
Most master’s in marketing programs will take about two years to complete when attending full time. Courses you might take include digital marketing, consumer behavior, data analysis, product development, marketing management, public relations, and brand development.
Admissions Requirements
In order to be admitted to a master’s program in marketing, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Not every program requires that degree to be in a related field, but requirements vary. Many schools will also ask for an undergraduate minimum GPA of about 3.0.
Most master’s programs ask for GRE or GMAT test scores, but if you have a high GPA, you can often waive that requirement. You’ll also likely need letters of recommendation and a personal essay, in addition to a completed application packet.
Master’s in Marketing Concentrations
Many master’s in marketing degree programs will allow students to choose a specific concentration to specialize in. By specializing your electives with a concentration, you can better prepare for what you will encounter in real employment situations and apply your learnings to specific types of marketing. A concentration can also allow you to focus on areas you’re passionate about.
Analytics: overview
An analytics concentration will teach you how to use data and quantitative skills to craft marketing campaigns, offer feedback, and test new initiatives. You’ll take courses like advanced statistics, econometrics, data analysis, database marketing, and sales forecasting.
Consumer insights: overview
This concentration will focus on analyzing consumer trends, experience, and behavior. Employees in this field may also be responsible for predicting future consumer trends. Courses may include customer intelligence, customer loyalty, consumer experience, trend forecasting, and branding strategy.
Digital marketing: overview
Digital marketing highlights the ways in which the internet and social media has impacted marketing. This concentration will teach you how to use advanced tools and software necessary to succeed in digital marketing. This typically includes Google Adwords, Watson Analytics, and Adobe. You’ll take courses like search engine marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, internet advertising, and user experience (UX.)
Product management: overview
This concentration will prepare students to work with product-based businesses and brands. Beyond marketing a product to consumers, this job type will also involve designing product packaging, conducting consumer testing and research, and crafting a brand. Courses may include brand management, pricing strategy, product development, and product design.
Career Outlook for Master’s in Marketing Graduates
A marketing graduate can pursue careers in marketing, advertising, sales, public relations, and many other business-related fields. The BLS reports that average annual salaries for these types of jobs ranged from $55,000 to $142,000 per year as of 2020.
With a master’s degree, graduates will typically be able to enter the workforce at a higher salary level. Most jobs in the marketing field are also projected to grow over the next 10 years.
What Is the ROI for a Master’s in Marketing Degree?
Tuition costs for a master’s in marketing vary widely depending on the school, your residency, and the program’s reputation or competitiveness. If you live out of state, you may have to pay more in tuition than in-state students. And, attending a school like Harvard, for example,which is a private Ivy League university, will cost more to attend than a public state college. Tuition for our list of programs ranges from about $14,000 to $76,000.
The average annual salary for marketing managers was about $141,490 in 2020, according to the BLS. Given the high average salary in this field, you may expect a fairly quick return on investment, though it will depend on the tuition rate you pay and your salary post-graduation.
This is a scholarship from AfterCollege for students working toward a degree in a business field. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify.
The Berbay Marketing & Public Relations company awards an annual scholarship to students pursuing a degree in marketing, public relations, or communications. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of writing skill and academic excellence via a 1,000 word essay.
This scholarship is earmarked for students who have an interest in real estate, regardless of their major. Applicants will need to write an essay related to careers in the real estate industry in order to be considered.
OuterBox awards a scholarship to students who are pursuing degrees related to digital marketing. Applicants must have completed at least one full year at their current school and submit a 500 word essay on the industry.
Amount: $2,000.
Deadline: October 31st
Who can apply for scholarships?
Scholarships are available to any student wishing to fund their education and supplement other forms of financial aid. Typically, funders will have minimum GPA requirements and ask that you are currently enrolled in a university. Students will have a better chance of winning scholarships if you apply for one targeted at a specific community. That can mean a specific university, degree, location, race, gender, or other demographic. You can also look at scholarships your university offers exclusively for current students.
Why Should I Get a Master’s in Marketing?
Higher Earning Potential
According to the BLS, marketing master’s graduates earn an average of 38% more per year than bachelor’s graduates in the marketing field. An advanced degree can qualify you for a higher starting salary at many companies. If you’re already in the workforce, pursuing a master’s degree can help support requests for a raise and new responsibilities.
Advance career
Master’s degree graduates can qualify for higher positions and executive-level jobs. You can generally enter your career field at a higher level if you have a master’s degree. For example, you can apply for marketing manager positions as well as marketing associate positions. An advanced degree can also help make the case for promotions and fast-track your career progression.
Increase expertise
The more advanced your education becomes, the deeper you’ll study a subject. A master’s degree can provide you with real-world experience and advanced knowledge on marketing topics. You can also choose a specialty and increase your expertise in a specific marketing niche.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Explore Similar Programs.
Danika Miller is an education reporter at Grad School Hub who covers higher education news and trends, as well as paying for college. Her writing has also appeared in Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus, and her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple Dollar and CreditCards.com.
Fact-checked by
Angelica Leicht
Angelica Leicht is an editor for Grad School Hub. A proud University of Houston alum (go Cougs!), she previously served as an education reporter at Kearney Hub, and an editor at the Dallas Observer and Houston Press. Her writing has appeared in Affordable Colleges Online, Bankrate, The Simple Dollar, and elsewhere.
Marketing is applicable to so many different job fields now and it has become a very popular and lucrative career to consider. Marketing efforts contribute greatly to a business' financial...
If you're interested in enhancing your marketing resume, you may be wondering about the difference between a Master's in Marketing degree and a Marketing MBA degree. Both are related to...
A Master's in Marketing is a professional-oriented graduate degree geared towards hopeful: Like many master's degrees, those in marketing are often classified as Master's of Science degrees, though some programs...
Discover a program that is right for you.
Explore different options for you based on your degree interests.
