Best Online Marketing MBA Programs of 2025

Marketing jobs are in demand, and an online MBA degree with a marketing concentration can help you break into the field or improve your career prospects.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is higher than the national average rate of 4% growth projected for all occupations during the same time period.

Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapidly evolving social media landscape are driving companies to seek out skilled marketers who are up to date on best practices within the field.

An online marketing MBA program can help prepare you to step into these roles, with curricula focused on teaching business fundamentals and current best practices within the field.

We ranked some of the best online marketing MBA programs based on factors like affordability and student outcomes to help you pick the best option for you.

Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez, an associate professor of management at Loyola Marymount University, says it’s important to consider which learning format (online, in person, or hybrid) best fits your schedule.

“It is also important to consider your career interests and find a program that has the type of curriculum, including specialty or concentration, that will provide you with the skills and knowledge to advance in your career,” Gutiérrez added.

Other key factors when comparing options include accreditation, cost, program length, and potential career opportunities.

The cost of a marketing MBA degree can vary significantly from school to school.

Typically, programs at well-known universities are much more expensive than those offered by regional universities. At the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business, for instance, the price tag for an online MBA degree is more than $125,000.

However, online MBA programs typically cost less than half of what their in-person counterparts cost. And financial aid can reduce this already lower cost even more.

Also, keep in mind that studying at a public institution is generally cheaper than a private university, and some schools offer in-state tuition at a discounted rate.

MBA programs traditionally take two years to complete if you’re a full-time student.

Part-time MBA programs, on the other hand, take longer since you’ll take fewer courses each semester. The upside is that these programs offer greater flexibility for working professionals who need to balance their studies with other responsibilities.

You can also consider accelerated MBA programs. These programs typically have similar curriculum as traditional MBA programs but are condensed to allow students to graduate in about a year.

The usual application requirements for an online marketing MBA program include:

Enrolling in a marketing MBA program with programmatic accreditation can help boost your career opportunities after graduation.

Programmatic accreditation guarantees that a degree program meets the standards of a recognized accrediting organization.

For example, MBA accreditors may assess programs based on factors like faculty qualifications and post-graduation employment rates to determine if a program is worth it for prospective students.

Here are some of the major programmatic accreditors to look for when comparing programs:

Marketing MBA degrees can set you up for several leadership positions within the marketing industry.

These programs usually feature courses on branding, digital marketing, social media strategies, and other key skill sets that can help prepare you to become an advertising, marketing, or promotions manager.

According to the BLS, employment for these positions is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate from 2023 to 2033.

Other roles you can potentially qualify for with a marketing MBA degree include brand manager, market research analyst, public relations manager, and product manager.

MBA degrees are generally tied to higher earnings and can help you qualify for in-demand positions such as marketing manager, which earns a median annual salary of $161,030 as of May 2024, according to the BLS.

Additionally, if you enroll in an online program, you can continue working and fulfilling other responsibilities while you study. In fact, online MBA programs are often built with working professionals in mind. This means that they offer flexible scheduling options and asynchronous courses so you can complete your degree at your own pace.

Your MBA degree doesn’t have to be the end of your education. Many schools offer additional online credentials and certificates to boost your skill set even further. For example, Harvard University recently launched an online credential in digital innovation and strategy.

If you’re interested in teaching at the university level, you can consider pursuing a doctorate in business administration. This advanced degree is typically research-focused and emphasizes the practical application of findings to real-world business challenges and leadership scenarios.