The marketing world is as complex and dynamic as ever. The following 20 Best Master's Degrees in Marketing help graduates reach and impact the modern consumer in 2020.
With the wildfire of social media and technological advancements, the marketing world is as complex and dynamic as ever. A master's degree in marketing can tighten individuals' grasp on the intricacies of the modern consumer experience. Graduate marketing degree programs cover topics including analytics, branding, campaign planning, and market research. The following 20 Master of Science degrees provides an emphasis on the statistical and technical aspects of marketing strategy.
Individuals who hold a Master of Science degree in Marketing may go on to work in a Market Research Analyst role. Market research analysts examine current market conditions in relation to the sales of a product or service. Their research may reveal what kind of products or services the modern consumer is looking for, what the demographic is for a particular product, or how much money consumers will pay for a particular service. Market research is a significant component of most industries. Therefore, market research analysts may work in a wide range of industries with a wide range of products and services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the position is experiencing a 23 percent job growth rate, and the median pay for the role is $63,230 annually.
Methodology
The staff of Grad School Hub has compiled the following 20 Best Master's Degrees in Marketing for the 2019-20 academic school year based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Data contributed from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Labor plays a significant role in how graduate degree programs are ranked because institutional transparency is essential for deciding which career path is right for you. Based on this data, GSH organizes information into five weighted categories, which are:
- Alumni Feedback: 20%
- Continued Enrollment: 20%
- Degree Selectivity: 10%
- Graduate Expenses: 25%
- Projected Annual Salary: 25%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through our Ranking Methodology page.
Here are the 20 Best Master's Degrees in Marketing for 2019 – 2020!
#20 – University of Colorado Denver – Anschutz Medical Campus
Master of Science in Marketing
Aurora, CO
Website
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. The public university is the largest research institution in Colorado. U.S. News & World Report ranks UC Denver at No. 205 for the nation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,586
#19 – Temple University
Master of Science in Marketing
Philadelphia, PA
Website
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. It operates research centers and institutes including the Center for Asian Health, Center for Sustainable Communities, and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute. U.S. News & World Report ranks Temple at No. 106 among National Universities and No. 93 for Best Value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $22,940
#18 – DePaul University
Master of Science in Marketing
Chicago, IL
Website
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. The university works to recruit first-generation students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It also takes pride in its community partnerships and engagement with Chicago as its classroom. U.S. News & World Report ranks DePaul at No. 119 for National Universities and No. 54 for Best Value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $32,927
#17 – Hofstra University
Master of Science in Marketing
Hempstead, NY
Website
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. The university is noted for hosting prominent presidential conferences and debates. Its commitment to sustainability is also notable, with sustainable research efforts including water refill stations, a student-run garden, and food donation partnerships with local organizations.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $32,566
#16 – Saint Joseph's University
Master of Science in Marketing
Philadelphia, PA
Website
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. Located in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. News & World Report ranks SJU 12th in Regional Universities of the North. Many students spend their breaks volunteering in areas such as Appalachia, the Gulf Coast, and New Mexico. The school's mascot is The Hawk, which continuously flaps its wings while in costume.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $35,290
#15 – The University of Alabama
Master of Science in Marketing
Tuscaloosa, AL
Website
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. The Professional Sales focus area allows students to blend sales skills with their undergraduate major field or area of interest. 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. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 129 for National Universities and No. 80 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $19,993
#14 – University of Cincinnati
Master of Science in Marketing
Cincinnati, OH
Website
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. Cincinnati is home for numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Kroger, Macy's, and Procter & Gamble.
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. Among the university's alumni is the designer of the Golden Gate Bridge and the inventor of the Magic-8 Ball. U.S. News & World Report ranks UC at No. 147 for National Universities and No. 130 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $21,050
#13 – Syracuse University
Master of Science in Marketing
Syracuse, NY
Website
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 is comprised 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. Syracuse is strongly associated with orange: its school color is orange, its students are nicknamed Oranges, and its mascot is Otto the Orange. The student-run newspaper is called The Daily Orange, and its television studio is CitrusTV. U.S. News & World Report ranks Syracuse at No. 53 for National Universities.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $35,306
#12 – Northwestern University
Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications
Evanston, IL
Website
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. Small groups of students work on-site with company partners during the summer Immersion Quarter. They may work in the Chicago area, or relocate to another city with their group. 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. Northwestern has a low 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Notable alumni include Zach Braff and Stephen Colbert. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 10 for National Universities and No. 15 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $26,099
#11 – Clemson University
Master of Science in Marketing
Clemson, SC
Website
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. Courses are typically held in Greenville, SC. 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. He inherited the money from his wife Anna Calhoun, daughter of seventh U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun. 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. The land-grant university is classified within the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. It is ranked at No. 66 for National Universities by U.S. News & World Report.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,757
#10 – University of South Florida
Master of Science in Marketing
Tampa, FL
Website
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. It is a member of the State University System of Florida and the fourth-largest public university in the state. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the space-grant university within the top tier of research universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks USF at No. 124 for National Universities and No. 71 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,766
#9 – University of Houston
Master of Science in Marketing
Houston, TX
Website
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. Each spring, the campus hosts a three-day Frontier Fiesta, which involves free concerts, a cook-off, and student-conducted carnival booths, variety shows, and multicultural displays. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 91 for Top Public Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,664
#8 – Georgia State University
Master of Science in Marketing
Atlanta, GA
Website
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. All classes are held after 5:30 p.m.
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. GSU's location in the heart of Atlanta positions it among several Fortune 500 company headquarters. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 187 in the nation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,350
#7 – University of Southern California
Master of Science in Marketing
Los Angeles, CA
Website
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. With its Los Angeles location, scenes have been filmed on campus for films including Forrest Gump, The Graduate, and Legally Blonde. Directors Judd Apatow and George Lucas are among the university's alumni. Technologies invented at the university include antivirus software, the Domain Name System, and image compression. USC Trojan athletes have collectively won more Olympic medals than any other U.S. university. U.S. News & World Report ranks USC at No. 22 for National Universities and No. 37 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $32,892
#6 – The University of Texas at Dallas
Master of Science in Marketing
Richardson, TX
Website
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. It was originally located in the Fondren Science Library at Southern Methodist University. UTD was officially established and added to the University of Texas System in 1969. Today, the public university is categorized in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. It has members of both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Science among its faculty. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTD at No. 129 in National Universities and No. 117 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,036
#5 – Michigan State University
Master of Science in Marketing Research
East Lansing, MI
Website
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. It later served as a model for land-grant universities created under the Morrill Act. After the Morrill Act's enactment, the university expanded its curriculum beyond 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. U.S. News & World Report ranks MSU at No. 85 in National Universities.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,684
#4 – Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science in Marketing
Baltimore, MD
Website
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 is comprised 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 is considered to be the nation's first research university. It has campuses in Maryland and Washington, D.C. and international sites in China, Italy, and Singapore. The private university was a founding member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks JHU at No. 10 in the nation and No. 18 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $29,066
#3 – University of Maryland, College Park
Master of Science in Marketing Analytics
College Park, MD
Website
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 Program. 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. It is a Carnegie-classified first-tier research university and a member institution of the Association of American Universities. It has been labeled a "Public Ivy," meaning it has an educational quality comparable to that of the Ivy League. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at No. 63 for the nation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,241
#2 – Texas A&M University
Master of Science in Marketing
College Station, TX
Website
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. The public research university holds land, sea, and space grants and is a member of the Association of American Universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks TAMU at No. 66 in the nation and No. 44 for best value.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $19,554
#1 – Columbia University in the City of New York
Master of Science in Marketing Science
New York, NY
Website
Columbia University in the City of New York offers Grad School Hub's winning Master's Degree in Marketing for 2020. Its Master of Science in Marketing Science 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. Many people don't know how 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. It is now a private university and member of the Ivy League and the Association of American Universities. A prominent research university, Columbia has played a role in such developments as the laser, the origin of modern genetics, and the World War II Manhattan project. Distinguished alumni include Alexander Hamilton and Barack Obama. U.S. News & World Report also ranks the school highly, at No. 3 in the nation.