In the dating world, there are tons of fish in the sea. The marketing world is similar — especially when it comes to degree options and career pathways. However, rather than swiping on Hinge to see whom you’re compatible with, you need to find an educational direction that feels right for you and what you’d like to do upon graduation. No biggie, right?
While you may not know exactly what you want out of your marketing career, it doesn’t hurt to have a general idea of available jobs — and how to get a degree that will provide the skills necessary to excel. On the flip side, you may have already gone through college and are now hoping to get into the advertising world without a marketing degree. This doesn’t disqualify you; it may actually give you a leg up and set you apart.
Want to learn where your skills and interests line up with degree and job opportunities? Find your perfect match for a lifetime of career bliss with this guide on getting into the marketing field.
Is a Marketing Degree Your Ticket to a Competitive Edge?
The quick answer is yes, a marketing degree program is a great way to learn foundational skills and hone in on your specific niches. A base-level knowledge of marketing will quickly show you that there’s so much behind-the-scenes work that goes into each project — more than you’d realize without getting an education in this field or gaining experience with advertising. For example, when you think of marketing, you might envision billboard ads or social media content creation. While these are a few types of advertising, marketing involves a lot more than just the finished product.
A degree will give you advanced skills in strategy, marketing analytics and communication for a career advantage. Rather than just teach you how to write good ad copy, your classes will show you why this type of copy works and how to track its success with key metrics. What target audiences see is only the tip of the iceberg; there’s a lot that happens underneath the surface — and focused marketing courses will help you uncover those tasks and learn to do them yourself.
On top of learning vital marketing skills, a degree also opens doors to diverse roles in digital marketing, brand management and advertising that might otherwise be closed. When you know all the various roles needed for a project, you can decide what part you’d like to play. You also have increased earning potential with higher learning, especially in specialized or senior roles.
Lastly, the marketing world is constantly changing, making it critical to stay on top of trends, patterns and innovations. Becoming a marketing student helps with this — ensuring you’re equipped with up-to-date knowledge and techniques for whatever comes next.
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6 Degrees in Marketing: From Foundations to Executive Roles
So, you’re sold on getting a marketing degree. Great! While any education in this area will assist with getting a job, it’s important to focus on the degree that will give you a straight path to your dream role. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of marketing degrees and what each one brings to the table.
Associate’s Degree
If you’re looking for a quick and affordable way to break into marketing, this is a great starting point. Typically completed in two years, an associate’s degree covers the essentials — think marketing research, consumer behavior and digital marketing basics. It’s perfect for landing entry-level roles like a marketing assistant or social media coordinator or as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree
This is the go-to degree for any marketing student serious about a career in the field. A four-year bachelor’s degree in a marketing major dives deep into principles, consumer psychology, branding, analytics and strategy. You’ll also explore content marketing, SEO and social media trends — skills that today’s digital-first world values highly. Graduates often step into marketing roles like coordinators, digital marketers, content writers or brand specialists, with plenty of room for career growth.
Specialized Bachelor’s Degree: BA in Business Administration or BA in Communications
If you want to be a traditional marketing major with a unique spin, a bachelor’s degree in business administration or communications could be the way to go. A business-focused degree will sharpen your skills in finance, marketing management and strategic planning while a communications degree can refine your storytelling abilities and media savvy.
Master’s Degree in Marketing
Want to take your existing bachelor’s degree a step further? A master’s degree in marketing goes beyond the basics, diving into advanced topics like brand management, data-driven decision-making and leadership. This is designed for individuals wanting senior roles, such as a marketing manager, brand strategist or digital marketing director. It’s also a great way to transition into marketing from another field.
MBA With a Marketing Concentration
If you have leadership ambitions, an MBA with a marketing concentration is the golden ticket. This degree combines core business strategy with marketing expertise, focusing on high-level decision-making, market analysis and leadership development. An MBA is the right choice if you’d like to become a chief marketing officer or take on an executive role.
Doctorate in Marketing
Interested in shaping the future of marketing rather than working in it? A doctorate in marketing might be your calling. This is a marketing research-heavy degree designed for people who want to contribute to academic knowledge, lead cutting-edge studies or become industry thought leaders. Graduates often go on to become university professors, consultants or top-tier researchers for major organizations.
Breaking Down Marketing Careers: Roles, Degrees and Salaries
Now comes the fun part … securing a marketing job! Once you’ve gotten your degree, you’ll have your pick of careers, which all range on responsibilities, degree requirements and salaries. While there are quite literally hundreds of different paths you can take, we’ve outlined a few popular options:
Content Marketing Manager
A content marketing manager is responsible for crafting a content strategy that meets a client’s goals, from driving brand awareness to boosting conversion rates. They also manage a content calendar, overseeing all aspects including planning, scheduling and coordinating content types.
Average salary: $81,606.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
SEO Specialist
An SEO (search engine optimization) specialist’s primary goal is to improve a website’s organic rankings. They use keyword research, content creation, link building, technical audits and more to improve a brand’s position on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Average salary: $65,380.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager is responsible for creating a content strategy and helping to drive engagement on a company’s social platforms — from X and Instagram to LinkedIn and Facebook. They also engage with followers, monitor metrics and oversee social campaigns for maximum ROI.
Average salary: $56,108.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Brand Manager
A brand manager focuses on building and maintaining a brand strategy that connects a company to its customers to retain relationships and improve loyalty. They often conduct market research, analyze marketing analytics for trends, advise multiple teams on branding strategies, manage project development and monitor budgets.
Average salary: $111,147.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Product Marketing Manager
Product marketing managers use their knowledge to combine product development, marketing and sales. Typically, this person develops and implements a marketing strategy roadmap for the creation and distribution of a specific product or service. Then, they monitor this plan throughout the project lifecycle.
Average salary: $115,794.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
PPC Specialist
A pay-per-click specialist spends their time creating paid marketing campaigns for platforms such as Google Ads or Bing Ads. They use a mix of creative and analytical skills to hone in on a company’s target audiences to increase engagement and maximize ad spend.
Average salary: $73,171.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Public Relations Manager
A public relations manager specializes in public-facing communications for a business, maintaining a good image and helping manage a team of public relations specialists. They oversee high-level decision-making to help set marketing communication goals, assess their company’s public perception and develop press releases and speeches.
Average salary: $62,124.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
Marketing Automation Specialist
A marketing automation specialist creates specific processes using marketing automation software to streamline projects and reduce manual effort. They are responsible for managing different marketing technologies and working to implement email, advertising and social media campaigns across teams.
Average salary: $70,495.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree.
Chief Marketing Officer
A chief marketing officer (CMO) focuses on overseeing the planning, development and execution of all marketing and advertising initiatives in a company. This type of marketing professional spends lots of time meeting with different creative, management and sales teams to ensure everyone is on the same page and working as efficiently as possible.
Average salary: $181,385.
Degree requirements: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
Choosing the Right Marketing Degree
Selecting the most suitable marketing degree program is completely dependent on what you’d like out of your career and what your specific skills and interests are. Do you love SEO and dream of mastering the art of optimization? A bachelor’s degree will serve you well. Are you hoping to make a higher wage and potentially be in leadership positions? Maybe opt for more education, like a master’s or specialized degree.
If you’ve already gotten your degree in a different field, don’t sweat it! There are countless alternative pathways like online courses, certifications and boot camps that can get you up to snuff in no time. Even at Brafton, we have tons of amazingly talented team members who didn’t get a degree in marketing and have found their place among some of the industry’s best creatives.
So, whether you commit to a four-year traditional marketing program or just test the waters with a certification, remember — finding the right marketing path is a lot like dating: do your research, know what you want and don’t be afraid to make a move.
