Is a Master’s in Marketing Worth It?

How would you like to make a salary more than 15% higher than national averages while taking your marketing career to the next level working at top companies such as Procter and Gamble, Kroger, US Bank, Accenture, McDonald’s, Ipsos, PepsiCo, and more?

An MS in Marketing is an excellent way to take your career to the next level. This advanced degree provides high-level strategic leadership and decision-making skills that are essential for securing opportunities in branding, strategy, market research, buyer behavior, product management, and other areas critical to the marketing industry.

What Does Working in Marketing Look Like?

Marketing professionals hold high-level positions at nearly every major company and are key members of in-house marketing teams. They make decisions around developing unique campaign ideas to sell or get consumers to engage with a company’s services, products, or brand. Marketing professionals accomplish this by:

• Conducting market research
• Collaborating with sales, design, and product development teams
• Planning promotional campaigns
• Meeting with clients
• And much more

Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Marketing? 7 Reasons to Consider

A master’s degree equips you with advanced skills that go beyond marketing. In addition to technical expertise, you’ll enhance foundational skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. These are essential for making strategic decisions, solving problems, and leading teams.

A marketing degree is particularly valuable for working professionals, offering flexible formats, real-world learning experiences, and tailored coursework that prepares you for leadership roles in a competitive job market.

#1 – Enhanced Career Opportunities

Earning a master’s degree in marketing unlocks more career opportunities, especially careers that have high-growth potential. Some common post-graduate jobs include:

• Digital Brand Managers/Strategists
  • Job responsibilities: in charge of maintaining a company’s public image through the implementation of marketing initiatives such as conducting research on industry trends and public perception; working with company executives, marketing personnel, and public figures; and helping to create winning marketing and advertising campaigns
• Content Marketing Managers
  • Job responsibilities: focus on the creation and management of a company’s overall content strategy
• Senior Brand Managers
  • Job responsibilities: oversee digital brand managers and strategists and take ultimate responsibility for the marketing of the brand
• Account/Client Managers
  • Job responsibilities: act as the liaison between their company and the client to ensure client satisfaction
• Advertising Directors/Managers
  • Job responsibilities: oversee all the advertising operations, sales, and creative functions for the company/client and usually work in advertising agencies or other digital or print media spaces
• Marketing Research Executives
  • Job responsibilities: collect and analyze data that ultimately informs a client’s brand. This can include monitoring and forecasting sales trends or measuring the effectiveness of a marketing campaign

#2 – Networking Opportunities

Pursuing an MS in Marketing connects you with a network of professionals, alumni, and industry leaders who can help open doors for future career opportunities. Graduate programs often facilitate networking through events, industry guest speakers, and alumni networks.

For instance, the MS in Marketing program at the University of Cincinnati offers access to a global alumni network of over 40,000 individuals, allowing you to expand your career connections, share knowledge, and open up opportunities in the industry. Networking with faculty, classmates, and professionals fosters collaborations that benefit your career long after graduation.

With this extensive support system, you can gain valuable career guidance, mentorship, and professional insights that help elevate your marketing career.

#3 – Specialized Knowledge

An MS in Marketing provides in-depth learning about critical topics such as consumer behavior, data analytics, digital marketing, and strategic marketing management. Master’s in Marketing programs expose students to cutting-edge marketing practices, including AI-driven analytics, digital strategy, and personalization techniques.

These advanced skills equip graduates with the tools and strategies to solve complex marketing challenges in today’s competitive job market. This specialized knowledge distinguishes graduates, enabling them to apply the latest technologies and trends to their marketing strategies and business decisions.

#4 – Adaptability to Emerging Trends

The marketing landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, platforms, and consumer behaviors reshaping the industry. An MS in Marketing program is designed to help students stay current by covering emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, digital marketing, social media, and data-driven strategies.

UC’s program emphasizes consumer psychology, strategic planning, and the latest tools necessary for adapting to changes in the market. Graduates leave the program with the expertise needed to lead teams through digital transformations, positioning them to stay ahead in an industry that demands agility and innovation

#5 – Increased Earning Potential

One of the most appealing aspects of earning an MS in Marketing is the increased earning potential. Individuals with advanced degrees often see significant salary increases compared to those with only a bachelor’s degree.

According to Forbes, roles such as marketing managers, digital marketing specialists, and brand managers—positions requiring advanced expertise—can command much higher salaries than entry-level or mid-level roles. For example, University of Cincinnati graduates in the MS in Marketing program have achieved a 92% placement rate within three months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $71,875, demonstrating the value of the degree in the job market

#6 – Career Advancement

An MS in Marketing accelerates career progression, particularly for those aiming for leadership roles.

Programs provide students with the strategic and managerial skills required for senior positions like marketing director, brand manager, and chief marketing officer. The combination of hands-on experience and advanced coursework prepares graduates to make high-level marketing decisions, manage teams, and lead marketing efforts within organizations.

Additionally, the leadership skills and business acumen gained in the program help individuals advance more quickly through the ranks, enhancing their professional trajectory and positioning them for more lucrative job opportunities. Graduates have found success in high-profile organizations like Abercrombie & Fitch, Toyota, and the Cincinnati Reds.

#7 – Practical Experience

Many MS in Marketing programs, including the University of Cincinnati’s, offer students hands-on experience through internships, consulting projects, and partnerships with businesses. This practical experience is invaluable as it allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world marketing challenges.

UC’s program includes a capstone project where students work on live projects with organizations, solving actual business issues. This experience not only boosts students’ resumes but also enhances their confidence in managing complex marketing tasks. Working with real clients allows graduates to refine their problem-solving skills and develop solutions that are immediately applicable to the marketing world.

Why Choose the University of Cincinnati? 

When you choose to earn your degree from UC, you’ll learn fundamental skills that go beyond marketing, enhancing foundational skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. We offer support from registration through graduation as every student is assigned a dedicated Academic Advisor and a Student Success Coordinator who will help guide you through our innovative and specialized academic curriculum that covers a wide range of marketing topics.

In addition, our marketing department is a part of the UC Lindner College of Business, which strives to fuel professional growth through a combination of academic and hands-on experience via a problem-solving mindset, a cooperative education, flexible pathways, and an inclusive community. The College has been repeatedly recognized for excellence in business education and our nationally renowned faculty are both well-connected in the marketing world and committed to promoting students’ careers.

Earning your master’s degree in marketing from UC is not only a smart move professionally but also financially. UC has one of the most affordable tuition rates in the country with no surprises and no hidden fees. Many of our students take advantage of our online financial aid assistance which can come in the form of scholarships, FAFA, GI Bill, grants, and more.

We’ll Meet You Right Where You Are

No matter where you are in life, the University of Cincinnati’s online MS Marketing program will meet you there with our extensive offering of online programs of the same high quality and integrity as traditional courses and the flexibility to complete them at a time and place that’s convenient for you. With each course, our students receive the tools, skills, and education to further their skill set, expand their opportunities, and enrich their local communities.

Ready to earn your MS Marketing Degree online? Start our simple, easy-to-follow application process today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it worth it to get a master’s degree in marketing?

Yes, a master’s degree in marketing is worth it for those looking to advance their careers, increase earning potential, and gain specialized skills that set them apart in a competitive job market. It prepares professionals for leadership roles in areas like branding, digital strategy, and market research, offering both personal and professional growth.

How much can you make with a master’s in marketing?

Professionals with a master’s in marketing often earn salaries more than 15% higher than the national average, with roles like marketing managers, brand strategists, and advertising directors frequently offering six-figure incomes. Earning potential varies by industry and location, but this degree positions you for some of the most lucrative opportunities in the field.

Is a master’s in marketing the same as an MBA?

While both degrees prepare you for leadership roles, a master’s in marketing focuses specifically on advanced marketing strategies, branding, and consumer behavior. An MBA provides a broader business education, covering areas like finance, operations, and management, with marketing being just one of many concentrations.