Marketing is an ever-evolving, fast-paced field—and it’s constantly changing to keep up with changing times. Gone are the days where only those with a marketing degree could break into the industry. In fact, many individuals with a wide range of bachelor’s degrees are finding success in marketing!

You may be wondering: what is the best degree for a marketing career? And do you need a marketing degree to pursue this career? Let’s explore the answers to these questions and many more.

Key Takeaways:

• Marketing professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds, ranging from business majors to graphic designers.
• While some degrees are more common in the field than others, what matters most is building relevant skills in communication, writing, and marketing strategy.
• A double major or minor is an option for students who want to pair marketing with another academic discipline—especially if they hope to market within that industry.

Is There One Best Degree for a Marketing Career?

If you’re interested in a marketing career, you may think that your only option is to major in marketing. However, marketing professionals come from vastly different educational backgrounds. There is no singular “best” degree for breaking into the field.

It might help to think of a marketing degree as the path of least resistance. You’ll graduate with a solid foundational knowledge of marketing trends, principles, and best practices. However, if you have your heart set on another major, don’t be discouraged! A marketing career is still well within your reach. Even better, the knowledge you’ll gain from a non-marketing bachelor’s degree may even make you more attractive to potential employers.

Most Common Degrees for a Career in Marketing 

Many degree programs lead graduates to successful marketing careers. However, a few staples are particularly common due to their coursework and overall focus:

• Marketing
• Business Administration
• Communication
• Advertising
• Public Relations

Marketing

While it may seem obvious, marketing majors are particularly well-positioned for a career in the industry. These programs cover the essentials for any marketing professional, including marketing strategy, digital marketing, and sales. Additionally, most marketing majors must complete an internship where they gain valuable professional experience.

Business Administration

Another popular choice amongst marketers, a business administration degree helps you become attuned to the needs of companies and clients. While ensuring that you excel at business management, financial planning, and data analysis, these programs may also require you to take marketing coursework prior to graduation.

Communication

Few degree programs prepare you for a marketing career better than a communication degree can. After all, persuasive writing and interpersonal communication are at the heart of marketing. Building a strong communicator’s skill set allows you to translate that expertise into effective marketing strategies.

Advertising

According to the American Marketing Association, advertising falls under the larger marketing umbrella and involves companies paying for ads in specific locations. Advertising majors typically take several marketing courses alongside advertising, brand strategy, and content creation classes. For individuals who are creatively inclined, an advertising degree is an excellent pathway into the world of marketing.

Public Relations

By studying business communication, rhetorical theory, and media literacy, public relations graduates naturally thrive as marketers. This degree equips students with strategic communication skills that translate easily to the marketing world. Since PR often involves urgent or sensitive information, these individuals also bring delicacy to the art of marketing to an audience.

Other Degrees to Achieve Marketing Success 

Now that we’ve covered the most common degrees, you may feel like you have limited options. However, some easily overlooked degree programs can lead to the same career:

• Psychology
• Economics
• Graphic Design or Digital Media
• English or Creative Writing
• Data Analytics and Statistics

Psychology

The study of psychology centers human behavior. For someone marketing a product or service, understanding how people think is crucial to crafting an effective, persuasive marketing strategy. The communication and research skills you’ll build through a psychology degree also help with client relationships, market research, and other duties.

Economics

Studying economics provides you with invaluable knowledge about the economy and the production of goods and services. This knowledge is a huge asset in the business world—especially in marketing. An economics degree provides insight into why and how people spend money, allowing you to market to them more effectively.

Graphic Design or Digital Media

Do you thrive when you’re being creative? A degree in graphic design or digital media allows you to flex your artistic muscles while preparing you for a marketing career. Many marketing roles call for experienced designers; with this degree, you can craft striking visuals for clients and companies.

English or Creative Writing

So much of marketing is about storytelling. Whether you’re narrating a company’s journey or crafting a compelling social media presence, you need to capture attention in marketing. English and creative writing graduates are well-suited to copywriting and content writing, two major niches within the marketing field.

Data Analytics and Statistics

Many marketing roles call for a solid understanding of data analytics and statistics. After all, you can only judge the effectiveness of a marketing strategy by collecting, organizing, and analyzing the resulting data. You’ll have a leg up when applying for jobs that specialize in data analytics.

How to Choose the Right Degree for You 

Remember: while there isn’t a singular degree that leads to a marketing career, your degree should set you up for success. In the long run, you’ll experience the most success by choosing your degree based on your individual strengths and goals. These three tips can help you make the right decision:

1. Define your career path. You should choose your major with a plan in mind. Even if you’re unsure about your exact dream job, having a general idea will help you align your career and education.
2. Consider your skill set. No one is a prodigy at everything, and that’s okay! When evaluating where you see yourself after college, reflect on what you enjoy doing and where your strengths naturally lie.
3. Research course requirements. If you’re torn between two degrees, take a closer look at the curriculum for each program. Your coursework is the single biggest aspect of your education, so you want to take classes that excite you.

Double Majors and Minors for Marketing Careers 

After choosing the perfect major, many students still agonize over another question: what about double majoring? The answer highly depends on the individual.

For many aspiring marketers, a double major is an opportunity to get a second area of expertise under their belt. Let’s say you’re pursuing a marketing career, but you also have a passion for medicine. In that case, completing a biology double major alongside your primary coursework not only combines your interests—it also positions you to work on marketing campaigns specifically within the health care field.

The downside to double majoring is the additional stress of completing coursework for two different degrees. Ultimately, if double majoring will hurt your grades or cause you to turn down other opportunities—like internships or extracurricular involvement—it may not be worth it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take any additional coursework.

Minoring in a secondary discipline offers similar benefits but requires fewer additional credits than a second major. And if you don’t want a marketing degree but do see yourself working in the field? You can still tailor your education toward this goal by pursuing a marketing or business minor.

Considering an Online Master’s Degree in Marketing? Contact UC Today and Explore How We Can Help

Whether your bachelor’s degree is in marketing or another field, it’s worth considering how a graduate degree might benefit you. Even with years of experience in the field, you can expand your skill set and take advantage of new opportunities.

At the University of Cincinnati, our online Master of Science in Marketing gives you the skills you need to enter the field or move up. You don’t even have to come to campus! And if you’re not ready to pursue a master’s but want to experience our flexible online programs, you can always start with the Marketing Graduate Certificate.

Ready to explore your options? Your first step is to contact your Enrollment Services Advisor. UC’s staff is dedicated to answering all of your questions about the marketing program, the online student experience, and more. Don’t wait to embark on your future career!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which degree is best for the marketing field?

While a marketing degree is the most straightforward option, you can go into marketing with a variety of degrees. Business administration, communication, PR, graphic design, and English all can be beneficial in the field.

Can I make six figures with a marketing degree?

Yes! According to Glassdoor, entry-level marketing roles average between $50,000 to $88,000 annually. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $161,030 for marketing managers.

Do I need a master’s degree in marketing?

While you may not need a master’s in marketing, earning one can be extremely beneficial. A master’s can help you move beyond entry-level roles, particularly if your undergraduate degree wasn’t in the field.