For marketers seeking to grow their careers, an advanced degree can be an avenue towards higher salaries, expanded opportunities, and a larger professional network. But what path is right for achieving your goals? In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits and career trajectories for two of the most valuable degrees for working marketing professionals: the Master’s in Marketing and the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
We’ll go over the major differences between the two later. But for now, think of it like this: if you want deeper expertise in marketing, consider a more specialized degree, such as the Master’s in Marketing. If you prefer to focus on business leadership with the possibility of leveraging your skills across industries, an MBA may be a better fit.
What Is a Master’s in Marketing?
A Master of Science (MS) in Marketing is a specialized degree focused on skills relevant to the marketing industry. This degree is a great choice for working professionals with marketing experience who want to deepen their knowledge. Instead of a general business education, an MS in Marketing will teach you industry-specific concepts, such as branding, consumer behavior, social media strategy, and analytics.
These degrees are typically full-time programs that can be completed in 9 to 18 months, depending on the school you choose, its curriculum, and your availability. However, there are also plenty of part-time and online degree programs designed to offer flexibility for students who already balance a full-time job. Unlike an MBA, an MS in Marketing program requires little to no work experience, making it a great choice if you’ve recently entered the workforce and are eager to level up quickly.
What Is an MBA (with Marketing Focus)?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a more general graduate degree that covers a broad range of topics, including finance, strategy, operations, and leadership. While this degree’s focus is intentionally designed to make it applicable to a variety of industries, many MBAs offer a marketing concentration.
There’s not a cut-and-dry answer to how long it will take to complete your MBA. The program you choose, its class schedule, and whether you can attend full- or part-time will all factor into your total time commitment. However, most programs tailored for adult learners can be completed in about 18 months.
While it’s possible to go straight from an undergraduate degree into an MBA, it’s generally not recommended. Most MBAs have requirements for work experience. Plus, the expertise and soft skills you get through practical work can give you an advantage when applying to your top schools.
Master’s in Marketing vs MBA: Key Differences at a Glance
When you’re making an MBA vs an MS in Marketing comparison, examine their key differences and weigh against your long-term goals. If you’re looking to gain a deeper skillset that will help you move into a senior marketing role, you might consider the MS in Marketing. If you want to build a path towards executive leadership that isn’t exclusive to the marketing industry, the MBA can be a better choice.
Let’s look at both degrees side-by-side to see which is a better fit for your future:
| Master’s in Marketing | MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Focus | Specialized curriculum Areas of study include: social media strategy, analytics, consumer behavior, and brand development | General business education Areas of study include: finance, strategy, operations, and leadership |
| Work Experience Required | No work experience required; makes it ideal for those who want to complete their master’s degree immediately following undergraduate graduation | Most programs require 2 to 5 years of work experience to be considered for acceptance; makes it a great track for established professionals looking to expand their capabilities |
| Duration of Study | 9 to 12 months | Depends, most programs take about 18 months |
| Average Cost | $31,630 per year | $28,440 per year |
| Career Outcomes | Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Brand Manager | Management & Strategy Consultant, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst/Manager |
| Leadership vs Specialist Path | Specialist path for those who want to grow in their marketing career | Leadership path for those who are open to accepting roles across industries |
Source: https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/masters-degree-cost/
Career Outcomes and Return on Investment
If you’re a working professional, the deciding factor between an MS in Marketing and an MBA will likely focus on career outcomes. The return on investment for your graduate business degree will come not only in the form of a higher salary, but also in increased opportunities for advancement and overall job outlook.
A Master’s in Marketing is a valuable degree that can provide you with skills specific to moving into senior roles within the marketing industry. These career paths often combine advanced analytics, strategy, and data literacy, such as:
- Digital Marketing Manager: Oversees marketing efforts across departments such as brand, SEO, paid media, and content. They execute online campaigns, as well as track performance metrics that ladder up to a broad strategic vision.
Median Salary: $159,660 per year
Job Outlook: 6% (Faster than average)
- Brand Analyst: Studies consumer behavior, market trends, and independent factors to forecast marketing and sales trends. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
Median Salary: $76,950 per year
Job Outlook: 7% (Much faster than average)
With an MBA, your career options are broader, allowing you to move seamlessly into leadership roles across a multitude of industries. An MBA can offer a wide range of opportunities, either within the marketing field or in other competitive markets. These roles are centered around using strategy as a pathway for overall business growth, such as:
- Operations Research Analyst: Collect and organize information from a variety of sources, such as databases, sales histories, and customer feedback, to help businesses make informed decisions and solve problems.
Median Salary: $91,290 per year
Job Outlook: 21% (Much faster than average)
- Human Resources Manager: Plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff, as well as act as a liaison between a business and its staff.
Median Salary: $140,030 per year
Job Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
- Information Technology (IT) Manager: Plan the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software across a business’s devices. They also establish and maintain processes to detect, prevent, and mitigate IT security threats.
Median Salary: $171,200 per year
Job Outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)
The total cost of earning a graduate degree will depend on factors like whether you attend in-person or online, enroll in full or part-time coursework, and where you get your degree. The average cost of an MBA in the U.S. is around $28,440 per year, including tuition, fees, books, and incidentals. A Master of Science (MS) degree follows close behind at $31, 630 per year.
While these figures might feel overwhelming at first, a graduate degree is an investment in your future. Both the master’s in marketing and the MBA can provide a significant return when it comes to your salary expectations and overall career growth. According to the Economic Policy Institute, graduates of advanced degree programs earn about 25% more than those with just a bachelor’s degree.
At National University, we offer flexible online programs that make getting an advanced degree easier for working professionals who are currently balancing career, family, and a busy life outside their studies.
Which Degree is Right for You ?
When you’re a working adult balancing a full-time job, household responsibilities, and your professional ambition, your time is a valuable commodity. That’s why National University is here to help adult learners confidently make the graduate business degree decision that best aligns with both their career and lifestyle goals.
If you’re trying to decide if an MS in Marketing or an MBA is right for you, it’s important to take stock of where you are at in your career today – and where you want to go tomorrow. Are you interested in a role that’s specialized or more general? Are you interested in working at a leadership level? What budget, time, and lifestyle compromises are you able to commit to while pursuing your degree?
Not sure where to start? Use this chart to compare these degrees against your goals for career advancement:
| MS in Marketing | MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Deeper specialization in marketing skills and theory | Leadership skills that can carry across multiple industries |
| Work Experience | Little to no experience, but ready to jump into learning | 2 to 5 years of work experience |
| Potential Roles | Digital Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) | Management Consultant, Finance Manager, Investment Banker |
How to Evaluate Programs: Accreditation, Flexibility & Skills
When you’re evaluating MBA vs marketing master’s programs, look for business schools that are accredited by reputable sources, such as the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) or the IACBE (International Accreditation Council for Business Education). It’s also important that you choose a program with a curriculum that aligns with modern marketing skills, such as analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and comprehensive digital marketing.
For working professionals, finding a program designed with flexibility in mind is critical for academic success while also managing responsibilities at work and home. An online marketing master’s or MBA gives adult learners more agency to complete work on their own schedule.
Next Steps: How to Leverage Your Prior Credits
Once you’ve decided which degree best fits your career goals, we can guide you through the application and acceptance process to help you get started right away. Our admissions team can work with you to transfer any existing credits you may have, advise on part-time vs full-time coursework, and help you create a coursework schedule that is sustainable when balanced against your work and real life.
Summary and Recommendation
As an adult learner choosing a marketing degree online, you have more options than you might think. At National University, we offer flexible MBA and Master’s in Marketing programs designed to accommodate working professionals and adult learners.
When you’re thinking about which is right for you, consider the following factors:
- Work Experience: While MS in Marketing programs usually don’t require work experience, real-world experience is often required for MBAs.
- Career Goals: If you’re looking for specialized skills that will prepare you for senior roles in the marketing field, an MS in marketing is an excellent choice for upskilling. Consider an MBA if you want to expand your leadership capabilities and be able to flex between industries.
- Lifestyle Factors: An MBA program can take longer to complete, but it is a valuable degree that sets you apart in a competitive job market. An MS in Marketing is often a shorter time commitment, allowing you to upskill and quickly move into a more lucrative and fulfilling role.
Take some time to reflect on your career goals, and decide if an MBA or a Master’s in marketing is right for you. Contact us at National University to set up a consultation with one of our advisors to determine your best path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Master’s in Marketing provides a deep dive into marketing theory, analytics, and tactics. An MBA is also an advanced degree, but it covers a broad business curriculum (finance, operations, leadership) and often includes a marketing specialization.
If you know you want to specialize in marketing and work in digital marketing, analytics, or brand management, a Master’s in Marketing may be a better fit.
An MBA (especially with a marketing concentration) can better prepare you for leadership across business functions, not just marketing.
Master’s in Marketing programs often accept early-career applicants; MBA programs generally expect 2–5 years (or more) of professional experience.
