Best Doctorate in Marketing Programs
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A doctorate in marketing can set someone apart as a true expert in the field. Learners must understand research methods, statistical analysis, consumer behavior, and business practices. Graduates often work as marketing professors in colleges and universities. However, they may also work as marketing leaders and consultants in the private sector. According to July 2022 data from Payscale, marketing doctoral graduates can earn between $82,100 and $175,340. Typically, candidates take 4-6 years to earn a doctorate in marketing, whether online or in person.
Most colleges offer stipends and tuition waivers for students pursuing doctorates in marketing. The stipend often includes class materials, health insurance, and a modest amount for living expenses. Not every school guarantees stipends and tuition waivers. It's important for prospective learners to know each school's policy and understand how much debt they may have to take on if they do not receive these awards. Even learners who earn these awards may need to take out student loans to meet their financial needs.
Best Accredited Doctorate in Marketing Programs
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Courses
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
10 to 11 courses
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
CMU offers three learning tracks for degree candidates seeking a doctorate in marketing: consumer behavior, empirical modeling, and analytical modeling. Learners often combine courses from these tracks. A doctoral candidate in this program spends about 18 months taking marketing, psychology, economics, and statistics courses. They must pass a series of exams before working on their dissertation.
CMU intentionally keeps its Ph.D. programs small, and admissions are competitive. Applicants must submit GRE or GMAT scores.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
42
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Georgia State offers a customizable doctorate in marketing in which candidates earn nine credit hours in a secondary area of study. Learners also earn 15 credits in research methods and 18 credits in marketing. This research-focused program grants students access to lunch and learn sessions, travel assistance to present research, and research workshops.
Applicants must submit transcripts, GMAT scores, statements of purpose, and resumes. The university also schedules interviews with candidates.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
63
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The doctorate in marketing at MSU requires degree candidates to earn 15 semester credit hours in marketing, 12 credits in research, and 12 credits in electives. Learners also complete a dissertation, a summer research paper, and a comprehensive paper in their second year. Students choose between four research areas of focus: marketing strategy, product and brand management, relationship marketing, and international marketing.
Applicants must submit strong GMAT scores, though the school does not post an exact minimum score.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
18 courses
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management offers a doctorate in marketing with two learning tracks: consumer behaviors and quantitative marketing. The consumer behavior track focuses on theory, while the quantitative marketing track highlights research. Both programs require degree candidates to complete 18 courses, submit research papers, teach lower-level courses, and complete a dissertation.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE or GMAT scores. The school does not post other minimum requirements, but only a few applicants are admitted each year.
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $5,550 per semester
Out of State | $15,730 per semester
Credits to Graduate
48
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The UA doctorate in marketing candidates take courses in research, statistics, and more in the first two years. They qualify for the remaining part of the program by completing two research papers. Then, learners can complete their dissertations. The faculty specializes in research areas such as cultural factors in customer relationships and behavioral underpinnings of customer interactions.
Applicants must hold bachelor's or master's degrees with GPAs of at least 3.5. They must also submit GRE or GMAT scores of at least 300 or 550, respectively.
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The UT McCombs School of Business states that in the past decade, 100% of its Ph.D. in marketing graduates have accepted academic positions. While candidates do not need to hold a degree in any specific area of study, they should have a good understanding of statistics, economics, and mathematics. The program offers three concentrations: consumer behavior, marketing strategy, and quantitative marketing.
Applicants should have bachelor's degrees with GPAs of at least 3.0 and submit GRE or GMAT scores.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
66-84, depending on previous experience
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
UTSA accepts candidates to its doctorate in marketing program who have bachelor's or master's degrees. However, the curriculum depends on the learner's previous level of education. After completing the required courses, learners must pass a written comprehensive exam to qualify for candidacy. Then, they can research, write, and defend their dissertations.
Applicants should submit GRE or GMAT scores, a resume, official transcripts, and a statement of purpose with their application.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
58
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Students working toward a doctorate in marketing at UConn focus primarily on consumer behavior and marketing science. Doctoral candidates choose from a range of research topics, including information search, buyer-supplier relationships, pricing dynamics, and customer relationships management.
This research-focused program includes access to resources such as the school's behavioral laboratory, writing support, and econometrics consultations. The program accepts 3.6% of applicants. Accepted candidates have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and an average graduate GPA of 3.6.
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
18 courses in the first two years, followed by research work
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
UO's doctorate in marketing program admits an average of two candidates per year, lending to its tight-knit community. Students take courses in marketing, economics, statistics, and effective teaching methods. Next, they must complete two research papers and a dissertation.
Applicants must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and submit GRE or GMAT scores. Minimum scores for admission are 600 total on the GMAT or 315 on the GRE revised general test.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Out of State | Stipend covers cost of tuition
Credits to Graduate
15 plus a dissertation
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Penn is home of the Wharton School of Business, which was the world's first collegiate school of business and remains one of the most respected business schools in the world. Wharton offers an Ivy League doctorate in marketing with two learning tracks: quantitative and consumer behavior.
First, degree candidates complete a minimum of 15 graduate-level course credits and a comprehensive exam. Then, they must research, write, and defend a dissertation. This school is highly selective, but students who are accepted receive a fellowship stipend which covers the entire cost of tuition. Applicants must submit GRE or GMAT scores and references.
Popular Online Doctorate Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How We Rank Schools
Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Doctorate in Marketing ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 15 schools that qualify for our ranking, listed in alphabetical order. The programs in our list are based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a doctorate degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing Programs
Is a doctorate in marketing worth it?
Earning a doctorate in marketing requires a significant investment of time and energy. This work is well worth the effort for anyone who wants to teach marketing at a university or build a career in research.
By earning a Ph.D. in marketing, learners become experienced researchers with all the skills necessary to build a career in academia. Furthermore, this terminal degree demonstrates a person's deep understanding of marketing, particularly in their specific area of study. Prospective students should consider whether these outcomes align with their personal and professional goals.
What can I do with a doctorate in marketing?
A doctorate in marketing opens career pathways in academia and research. Many graduates go on to teach marketing at the university level. They typically continue to conduct research in these positions as well. In these jobs, professionals advance marketing knowledge while also training the next generation of marketing scholars.
Graduates may also work as consultants to large businesses looking for cutting-edge methods to connect with customers. Prospective students should choose programs based on their career goals, as some programs are geared more toward research and academia.
How long does it take to get a doctorate in marketing?
Students should expect to take about 4-6 years to earn a doctorate in marketing. However, some candidates take longer to complete their dissertations. These programs often include two distinct phases. First, students take graduate-level courses in research, marketing, statistics, and more. During this time, they may need to write comprehensive research papers as well. These requirements typically take about two years.
When they pass these courses, learners either complete another research paper or pass a comprehensive exam to move into the next phase, called "candidacy." During the candidacy period, they work on their dissertations. It takes about three years to complete the dissertation process.
How much money can I make with a doctorate in marketing?
Many who earn a doctorate in marketing go on to be postsecondary teachers in universities and colleges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that professors earn a median annual salary of $79,640. However, those who teach business earn an average of $94,360 annually. These instructors may make more depending on where they teach and if they gain tenure.
The BLS predicts that the number of job openings for professors will grow by 12% between 2020 and 2030, faster than the national average growth rate of 8% for all occupations. Graduates can also go into marketing practice. Payscale data from July 2022 reports that marketing directors make an average annual salary of $92,480.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a doctorate in marketing?
While many graduates with doctorates in marketing work as professors or directors, some go on to earn more in higher positions. In the business world, graduates can work as chief marketing officers. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for this position is $175,340.
Those who want to stay in academia can also grow in their careers. Payscale reports that academic department chairs at colleges and universities earn an average salary of $82,100 annually.
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