Best Bachelor's in Marketing Degrees

Begin your search for the best bachelor's in marketing degrees online and take the first step towards a successful career in marketing.

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Completing your marketing degree sets you on a path to influence consumers and drive change within an array of industries.

Whether the occupation you pursue entails advertising and promotions, fundraising, research, or sales, you can take confidence knowing you possess the skills to influence the way people think about how they spend their money and time. Moreover, advances in technology create opportunities to further help how businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving online environment. Your studies allow you to examine marketing management, ethics, marketing communication, and consumer behavior. In addition, many programs encourage experiential learning through internships and co-ops so that you can apply your textbook studies to real-world situations like professionals face every day in the workplace. You can also expect to earn a competitive income: the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports advertising, promotions, and marketing managers earned a median income of $129,380 in 2017. It also projects a 10% growth in occupations in these fields by 2026.

We also have a list of the best online degrees in marketing for you to browse.

What kind of marketing degree should you get?

Regardless of which program below you choose, each of these degrees will help you succeed as a marketer. While some programs are housed within elite business schools and others at small liberal arts colleges, every program will give you the knowledge and skills it takes to be successful.

To choose a program for you, look thoroughly at the curriculum for classes that interest you. Maybe you want to focus on social media. Or maybe you want to a broader educational experience in business. Figure out what fits best with you and your career goals.

How much does one make with a degree in marketing?

There’s good news for the future of this profession, too. Nearly all sectors of marketing are slated to grow between 5 and 9 percent over the next several years according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and pay continues to look rewarding with median annual wages holding steady between $95,000 and $130,000 per year. Not too shabby!

What can you do with a degree in marketing?

Marketing managers—as well as their close cousins, advertising and promotions managers—generate interest in products and services. They work with just about everyone in an organization to do one thing really well: getting the word out!

Graduates from the programs below have attained a diversity of jobs in a diversity of settings. Indeed, they have earned titles such as:

Furthermore, these graduates have found careers in a range of fields. From publishing to start ups, nonprofits to healthcare, every company and organization needs someone who can boost their brand.

What are the requirements for a degree in marketing?

Marketers need to be skilled in lots of different areas—communications, business, people management, public relations, and more. These programs ensure you receive full training in each area.

How? Through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience. Foremost, you'll take a variety of introductory marketing classes. Then you'll build upon that foundation with focused coursework. You can even earn added certification or formally specialize in a specific area of marketing.

Most of these programs require internships. Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to boost your resume and show future employers you have what it takes. We've been sure to note which programs require practicums or internships.

 
 

What are the best degrees in marketing?

We at College Choice believe the best way to get a handle on all the things you’ll need to succeed in a career in marketing is to invest a few years in a four-year degree. And that’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of the top 50 bachelor’s degrees in marketing with your needs in mind.

The rankings you’re about to read are based on a few important sources. The first source is actual college freshman polled during a nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA. These students rated academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost of school, and the survey also took into account graduate success rates ono the post-college job market. These factors were weighed equally alongside data from other publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.

Now, what were you saying about that cool new app . . . ?

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

  1. University of Pennsylvania
    Location

    Philadelphia, PA

    Tuition

    $51464

    Overview

    The University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, is a private, Ivy League university and was one of the original nine colonial colleges. UPenn was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740 and emphasized a balance between practical and theoretical education. The university includes North America s first medical school, the first collegiate business school, and the first student union building and organization. Today, four undergraduate schools and 12 graduate schools provide an innovative, engaging, and flexible education for motivated students.

    Features

    The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania offers undergraduate business programs that also incorporate the liberal arts and sciences as well as a focus on global business perspectives. Wharton s curriculum provides a flexibility that allows students to customize their degrees by taking courses in other schools and studying abroad without falling behind in their programs of study. Dual degree, accelerated, and specialized programs are also available at UPenn s business school. There are many ways to specialize:

    Marketing and Communications Marketing and Operations Retailing

    Notables

    Wharton offers several options for those interested in studying marketing. Students can choose a marketing concentration or a joint concentration in marketing and communications or marketing and operations management. A secondary concentration in retailing and a minor in consumer psychology are also available. Marketing students can participate in MUSE, the Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment, as well as other student organizations.

  2. College of William and Mary
    Location

    Williamsburg, VA

    Tuition

    $41718

    Overview

    Founded in 1693, the College of William Mary is the second-oldest higher education institution in the United States. This public research university is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and enrolls around 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. William Mary collaborates in national and international joint degree programs with Columbia University and the University of St. Andrews. In addition to its various graduate programs, William Mary also contains four professional schools in law, business, education, and marine science.

    Features

    In the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William Mary both graduate and undergraduate degree programs are focused on high-quality in-class instruction, supplemented by mentorship and experiential learning. The school avoids limiting its students, allowing them to customize their bachelor business degree through an Individual Program of Study. Regardless of the business discipline students are interested in, they can tailor the degree to fit their own goals and even combine it with other majors and minors. Classes include:

    Consumer Behavior Marketing Strategy Consumer Insights for Innovation

    Notables

    The spring semester of junior year, students can study abroad without having to put off graduation. This international education, along with internships, career planning services, and personalized research opportunities alongside faculty mentors, prepares business students for successful careers in marketing, management, finance, and other business disciplines.

  3. University of Wisconsin
    Location

    Madison, WI

    Tuition

    $32738

    Overview

    Founded in 1848, the University of Wisconsin is the state s official university. It is the oldest and largest public university in Wisconsin, with more than 40,000 total students working toward bachelors, graduate, and professional degrees. The university s 13 schools and colleges offer hundreds of different programs of study to choose from. UW is known as a Public Ivy university, providing a quality of education and experience comparable to an Ivy League university. UW offers programs in such specialized areas as veterinary medicine, library studies, and human ecology.

    Features

    Wisconsin s School of Business, founded in 1900, was one of the first five business programs in the United States. More than 2,500 students are enrolled in the school s Bachelor of Business Administration program. With 541 corporate partners, Wisconsin s business school gives students a good chance of being recruited for jobs in their areas of study. Ten majors and seven certificate programs are available, including those that combine marketing with:

    Actuarial science Management and human resources Real estate and land economics Accounting, and more

    Notables

    The marketing major at the University of Wisconsin provides a broad foundation in the field, as well as flexibility to focus the degree in special areas of interest. Study abroad options are also available for marketing majors.

  4. Pennsylvania State University
    Location

    Hershey, PA

    Tuition

    $32382

    Overview

    The Pennsylvania State University, founded in 1855, has several campuses around the state. The university s mission includes teaching, research, and public service. Undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education programs are offered. Known as a Public Ivy school, Penn State has a reputation for providing a quality of education similar to an Ivy League university. With nearly 47,000 total students at the University Park campus alone, Penn State is one of the largest universities in the United States. The school s highly rated World Campus also allows students to enroll in degree programs online from anywhere in the world.

    Features

    The Smeal College of Business at Penn State has awarded more than 75,000 degrees since its opening in 1953, and currently enrolls over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Smeal is a highly sought out school for recruiting talent for businesses and organizations all over the world. The marketing major is organized into a half dozen core topics:

    Brand Management Digital Marketing Marketing Analytics Sports Marketing, and more

    Notables

    Undergraduate marketing majors can personalize the combination of courses they take within the major, or they can choose to follow a focus area in general marketing, brand management, consultative selling, digital marketing, marketing analytics, retail and merchandise management, or sports marketing.

  5. University of Florida
    Location

    Gainesville, FL

    Tuition

    $28666

    Overview

    Located on a 2,000-acre campus in the city of Gainesville, the University of Florida is a public research university and a senior member of the State University System of Florida. With nearly 50,000 students, UF is the third largest university in the state of Florida, and the eight largest single-campus university in the country. The school seeks to challenge convention, striving to see the potential in the world and make a positive difference. With some of the country s top faculty, and a commitment to influential research, UF is an innovative, world-class university.

    Features

    The University of Florida s Warrington College of Business Administration comprises the Heavener School of Business, the Fisher School of Accounting, and the Hough Graduate School of Business. The Heavener School offers Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. Students within the concentration study:

    Consumer Behavior Marketing Management Principles of Marketing

    Notables

    The marketing major requires the completion of at least 120 credit hours, but students can also combine their undergraduate degree with a Master of International Business or a Master of Science in Information Systems by taking additional master s-level courses. For students majoring in marketing, the school recommends considering a minor in fields such as communication studies, foreign languages, leadership, statistics, and entrepreneurship.

  6. University of Washington
    Location

    Bothell, WA

    Tuition

    $34791

    Overview

    Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the west coast. The oldest and largest UW campus is located in Seattle, but there are two others in Tacoma and Bothell. More than 45,000 students are enrolled at the university, the majority being undergraduates. There are 16 colleges and schools at the University of Washington, each of which offers unique degree programs. Altogether, the university confers more than 12,000 bachelors, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees each year.

    Features

    The University of Washington s Michael G. Foster School of Business enrolls more than 2,500 students in its bachelors and masters programs. One fourth of first-year applicants at the university request majors within the Foster School. Opportunities are plentiful at UW, and include:

    Studying abroad Earning a certificate in International Studies in Business, An internship with a multinational company, and more

    Notables

    Those pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at the University of Washington can design their own major from advanced business electives or choose from a predetermined course of study such as human resources, information systems, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more. Students interested in marketing have the option to earn a certificate through the Professional Sales Program.

  7. Brigham Young University
    Location

    Laie, HI

    Tuition

    $5300

    Overview

    Located in Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University is a private research institution operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is the largest of any religious university, and 99 percent of its students are members of the LDS Church. There are 11 colleges and schools at the university s Provo campus, in addition to its two satellite campuses in Salt Lake City and Jerusalem. Over 30,000 students are enrolled, representing more than 100 countries and all 50 states.

    Features

    The Business Management major, available through Brigham Young s Marriott School, is one of the most popular fields of study at the university. Of students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, 96 percent find employment within three months of graduation. Available emphases include entrepreneurship, global supply chain, strategy, human resources, and marketing. Collaboration among students is emphasized within each program in the business major. Classes include:

    Consumer Behavior Marketing Research Advertising and Promotion Management

    Notables

    Brigham Young is one of the most affordable of its kind, and its students tend to graduate with less debt than students at other institutions. Additionally, BYU students receive individual attention from the university s faculty. The business career center at Brigham Young s Marriott School provides guidance for students in developing their careers, before and after graduation.

  8. University of Maryland
    Location

    Princess Anne, MD

    Tuition

    $32045

    Overview

    The University of Maryland is a public research university located in College Park, about four miles from Washington, D.C. The school was founded in 1856 and is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. More than 37,000 students attend the university and study within 100 undergraduate majors and 120 graduate programs, making UM the largest university in Maryland as well as the largest in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

    Features

    Undergraduate business students enroll in the prestigious Robert H. Smith School of Business. They can major in an array of areas, including marketing. Marketing majors take courses such as:

    Marketing Policies and Strategies Customer-Centric Innovation International Marketing

    Notables

    Due to its proximity to the U.S. capital, the university has formed research partnerships with the federal government and connections with institutions such as NASA and the Department of Homeland Security. UM s Robert H. Smith School of Business offers programs in a variety of formats and at a variety of levels, including online, full-time, part-time, undergraduate, PhD, executive MBA, and more. In all these programs, the school provides a rigorous curriculum for motivated, hard-working students.

  9. University of Georgia
    Location

    Athens, GA

    Tuition

    $29844

    Overview

    Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is a public research university near Athens, Georgia, about an hour from Atlanta. UGA was the nation s first state-chartered university and a forerunner in the American system of public higher education. The university consists of 17 schools and colleges, with three primary campuses and 13 nationally renowned research libraries. More than 35,000 students are enrolled at the University of Georgia, the majority being undergraduates.

    Features

    In the Terry College of Business at UGA, undergraduate curriculum consistently evolves to accommodate the needs of students entering a competitive job market. The school had an 86 percent job placement rate within three months of graduation in 2015. Several certificate and specialization programs are available, as are study abroad opportunities. Terry s marketing major emphasizes analytical skills, requiring an array of courses to strengthen students abilities in this area. A marketing degree from the University of Georgia can lead to a career in fields such as:

    Marketing research Digital management Advertising and promotion Social media analytics

    Notables

    The degree can be personalized by choosing an emphasis in either professional selling or digital marketing. Louisville combines excellence and inclusiveness in its effort to serve and educate diverse populations in its community. Learning, research, and public service are the cornerstone of the university s mission to enhance the heritage of the state of Georgia and the entire country.

  10. University of Miami
    Location

    Coral Gables, FL

    Tuition

    $47004

    Overview

    The University of Miami was established in 1925 as a private, nonsectarian research university. Nearly 17,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in the university s 12 colleges and schools. UM has developed a reputation for being highly competitive, accepting only a small percentage of the many applications received. The school s freshman retention rate, on the other hand is notably high: 92 percent for the entering class of 2014.

    Features

    Miami s School of Business Administration offers degree and certificate programs at the main Coral Gables campus, as well as at other locations throughout Florida and the world. A marketing major at the University of Miami prepares students to:

    Recognize the role of marketing within an organization and society Identify markets for goods and service Take responsibility for legal and ethical matters within the field Utilize methods and procedures for planning and managing marketing decisions

    Notables

    The university offers small class sizes, dual degree programs, honors programs, and study abroad opportunities in over 35 countries, including Argentina, Italy, South Africa, and the Czech Republic.

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