Best Online Marketing MBA Programs of 2024

If you want to take your marketing career all the way to the top, an online MBA in marketing can help you get there. According to Payscale, the average VP of marketing earns nearly $154,000 a year.

In addition to preparing you for senior roles, an online MBA in marketing can help you deepen your marketing knowledge and enhance your strategic thinking skills. In a virtual program, you can develop the kind of business acumen that real leaders need all from the comfort of your couch. Check out these top-ranked online programs we’ve curated just for you.

Unlike a master’s in marketing, an MBA in marketing provides students with a business-centric education. This degree provides opportunities for professionals with a few years of work experience looking to advance into managerial roles. Many large corporations seek MBA graduates for manager-level positions in their marketing departments.

While an on-campus format provides face-to-face networking, an online program offers flexible scheduling and appeals to working professionals or those with additional responsibilities. Both types of programs range from about 36-62 credits, with completion times between 16 and 36 months.

Some schools offer fully online asynchronous coursework, while other programs offer some synchronous elements, such as weekly online collaborative class sessions. Additionally, many programs require some in-person learning, such as an on-campus orientation, immersive residency courses, or on-campus capstone projects.

There are a lot of good reasons to get your MBA in marketing. Here are a few big ones:

An online MBA in marketing program teaches students the skills required to promote businesses and implement marketing strategies. Students learn about market research, product design and pricing, marketing campaign techniques, and global marketing strategies.

Additionally, learners develop a solid foundation in business fundamentals like finance, management, and economics.

Because of the broad nature of marketing, an MBA program may focus on specific areas, such as digital marketing, product and brand management, or market analytics. This makes it important for students to research concentrations when choosing a school.

Most programs offer several opportunities for online students to engage with their peers and other professionals in the field. Group online interaction and in-person residencies can prove invaluable in furthering careers and developing long-term contacts.

Here are some common courses you can expect to take in a marketing MBA.

Measuring the worth of an MBA in marketing requires examining your potential return on investment (ROI) and your career goals. Many colleges share their graduates’ job and salary data, which can help you determine the merit of the program.

For example, Arizona State University’s Carey School of Business, with specializations in digital and entrepreneurial marketing, reports that 70% of their part-time, online MBA students received a raise, and 61% were promoted. Graduates also earned an average starting salary of about $152,960.

While an MBA in marketing prepares graduates for management careers, students with time and money constraints interested in specific areas of marketing may consider a certification course or a mini MBA. A few options include a one-week mini MBA in digital marketing or a 12-week mini marketing MBA.

MBA and master of marketing students learn many of the same marketing principles. The difference lies in the business studies found in an MBA. An MBA in marketing is a well-respected educational credential in business and serves as a gateway to management positions.

Students should also consider potential earnings. As of April 2024, Payscale reports that those with a master’s in marketing earn an annual average salary of $70,000, while individuals with an MBA in marketing earn an average of $99,000 per year.

Learners also have the option of earning a dual MBA and master’s in marketing degree. Graduates with these two degrees can become strong competitors for senior positions in business and marketing. However, choosing the dual degree path also has downsides, including a longer completion time and higher tuition.

According to data collected by BestColleges, the average MBA program costs about $55,000. However, the specific program, the type of school, and residency can push this number up or down.

Many online MBA in marketing programs charge the same tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students. These programs also offer savings on costs associated with housing, meals, on-campus fees, and transportation.

Some schools offer flexible, part-time, asynchronous programs that appeal to busy professionals. Other schools use a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning and full- and part-time formats. Synchronous programs include weekly class sessions at specified times.

A hybrid marketing MBA consists of one or more residential immersion sessions. These on-campus learning experiences help online students build connections, a valued asset among MBA students. While most MBA in marketing programs require two years of full-time study, accelerated programs often take 12-18 months to complete.

Many online MBA marketing programs require on-campus residencies. These experiences vary in length from as little as one three-day orientation to several three-day immersion courses. Additionally, online programs generally offer optional opportunities to meet with classmates and faculty, attend seminars, and work with local companies.

Students who have little time to travel may want to consider schools closer to home. On the other hand, students who hope to work in a particular city after graduation may want to look at schools in that area.

The best online MBA in marketing programs offer resources like access to corporate recruiters, career counseling, and networking opportunities. Many business schools help students find internships and have relationships with recruiters in order to assist them in finding jobs after graduation.

Accreditation means that a school and program have met certain educational standards as determined by a third-party agency. To assure a quality education and receive a degree recognized by employers, school and program accreditation is key.

Additionally, respected business schools and MBA programs hold accreditation from one of three organizations. These include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.