90 Best Accelerated Marketing Degree Online [2024 Guide]

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Prepare for success with an Accelerated Marketing Degree Online. Salaries range from $62K to $200K+ with job growth up to 22% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Prepare for success with an Accelerated Marketing Degree Online. Salaries range from $47K to $200K+ with job growth up to 22% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

marketing team working in the office

The business world is changing drastically; an accelerated marketing degree can help set you up to be a part of the change.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast for the next 7 years shows:

  • 22% increase in employment for market research analysts
  • 10% increase in employment for marketing managers

According to recent a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 15.3 % of employers intended to hire graduates with a degree in marketing.

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Types of Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs

Since a marketing degree is grounded in business administration, it can help propel you into many different fields. Under each field, there are many niches as well.

Internet, analytics, international, advertising? All fit under the marketing umbrella. There are more varieties than there are ways to order your coffee at Starbucks.

Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs Overview

Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs Overview

Marketing involves creativity and doing things differently to stand out from the crowd.

True, you don’t learn that in class. But you may learn skills for how to build marketing models and platforms. You learn what has worked in the past so that you can build on that.

An online degree in marketing may cultivate your talent with innovative classes like:

  • Consumer Behavior
  • Conversion and Optimization
  • Customer Retention Through Digital Marketing
  • Digital Marketing in a Virtual World
  • E-commerce
  • Internet Law
  • Marketing Brand Management
  • Social Media/Internet Marketing
  • Web Analytics

Classes like these can help give you a foundation to innovate on.

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Careers with an Accelerated Marketing Degree

Careers with an Accelerated Marketing Degree

Marketing careers are as varied as the number of products on the market. There are careers in:

  • Content Marketing
  • Database Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
  • Direct Marketing
  • Marketing Research
  • Search Engine Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Traditional Marketing

You may work in management, public relations, sales, or human resources.

Career Tip:

Marketing managers and executives bring home the largest salary. The national average salary for marketing managers is $142,170 a year.

You won’t start there fresh out of school though. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that the average starting salary with a marketing degree is $47,777.

Career Annual Median Salary
E-commerce Marketing Director $150,840
Marketing Manager $142,170
Advertising and Promotions Manager $133,460
Sales Manager $132,290
Public Relations Manager $118,430
Art Director $97,270
Business Operations Specialist $77,420
Market Research Analyst $65,810

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Careers in marketing are many! No job is 100% recession-proof, but marketing is a vital job that will exist as long as the economy and purchasing exist.

5 Accelerated Marketing Degree Career Fields

Top 5 Accelerated Marketing Degree Career Fields

Here are the most promising industries for marketing graduates.

1. Education

While you might not think of educational institutions as having a strong association with marketing, they actually do quite a bit of marketing to attract prospective families and students. They usually have a hefty budget that goes toward marketing and a whole team that creates and implements their marketing campaigns.

If you have an interest in education or higher education, you may combine your marketing degree with those interests for a very rewarding career.

Plus, if you continue past the undergraduate level and pursue a marketing degree at the graduate level like an online digital marketing degree, you may have the opportunity to teach others about marketing strategies and skills in the college classroom. A private high school might also be interested in hiring you for working as a yearbook director and teacher or working in their admissions or public relations offices to attract prospective students.

2. Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

There are many different types of accelerated college degrees offered for people looking to enter the healthcare industry. Because it’s a booming industry, career opportunities abound.

You may not have previously thought that a marketing degree could gain you entry into this field, but many healthcare facilities hire employees with a marketing degree to work in sales, public relations, or advertising. A pharmaceutical company, for example, might hire to you to direct and manage a specific marketing campaign.

3. Performing Arts

Promotional departments at theatres, concert venues, and other performing arts centers need knowledgeable staff members to advertise upcoming events. Your marketing skills could be used in a variety of ways, from designing flyers and advertisements to planning promotional events.

Working at a performing arts center could be a very dynamic and exciting work environment, which may be perfect for someone with a degree in marketing who’s looking to avoid the corporate scene.

4. Graphic Design

If you’re creative and artistic, working in the graphic design industry may allow you to combine your creative talents with your marketing skills and knowledge. Companies always need help creating the most attractive and appealing marketing ads, which is why they higher graphic designers and graphic design firms.

Your additional marketing expertise may be appealing to a company looking to hire the firm you work for. With a marketing degree, you might be a strong asset to any graphic design firm.

5. Event Planning

A lot of event planners and firms earn their business by word of mouth. By hiring someone with a degree in marketing to help spread the word about their business, an event planning company might be able to drum up a significant amount of referrals.

If you have any knowledge in the realm of social media or creating an online presence, you might be asked to maintain a social media site for an event planning firm. Putting a professional touch on the ways in which an event planning firm advertises its services might mean a stable career for you in this field.

Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs Offer Year-Round Admissions

Now that you have an idea of the job possibilities, let’s look at the fastest way to get there.

Many of the universities that have accelerated online marketing degrees offer start dates each month. You may start sooner rather than later and warp speed yourself to completion. Start whenever you’re ready!

Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs Online – Accelerated Classes vs. Self-Paced Classes

runners running on race track

Your accelerated online marketing degree is controlled by you, thanks to the flexibility offered by Accelerated Online Classes and Self-Paced Classes.

Accelerated online classes are set up on a regular schedule. You get a class start day, class assignment dates, and you finish on a set schedule, just like traditional on-campus programs.

A self-paced class is more like being self-employed. You set your own schedule and go as fast (or as slow) as you like.

Option 1: Accelerated Online Marketing Classes

Accelerated online marketing classes put the speed into your degree. Although you complete the same material as a traditional classroom, you may get to go twice as fast. At home. In your pajamas.

Instead of a class taking you 16 weeks to complete and hours of sitting in class, you may complete the class in 8 weeks.

Option 2: Self-Paced Online Marketing Classes

Self-paced classes offered at schools like Western Governors University or Capella don’t impose schedules and due dates. You work at your own pace.

At Capella University, you can set up an account where you pay a one-time fee for a 12-week session. During that 12-week session, you may complete as many consecutive courses as you can.

Your speed and dedication is your only limit. You are set up to take 2 courses at a time. But once you finish one, you can register for another with no downtime.

This is definitely the self-driven way to go!

3 Ways to Accelerate Your Marketing Degree Even More

3 Ways to Accelerate Your Marketing Degree Even More

Are you ready to hold on tight and see just how fast a marketing degree can be finished? You don’t have time to sit in class for 4 years and have the cutting edge ideas you learn in your first year become old and obsolete before you use them.

You need to get out in the field while your training is fresh. These 3 ideas, outside of just getting an online associates degree in marketing, may help cut years off your bachelor’s degree and huge amounts off your bill.

1. Test Out of College Classes (Up to 1 Year’s Worth)

You don’t have to go to college classes to get college credit.

Instead, you can test out of college classes — thousands of accredited universities participate in the program.

College credit can be earned by taking the exam for the class you want. You may register with the College Level Examination Program and complete up to 30 credits by passing tests. You register for the exams you need (or just want to check off as electives), grab a study guide, power through the guide, and then take the exam.

The Principles of Marketing exam is 100 multiple choice questions that you have 90 minutes to answer. 90 minutes of exam time and $89 to potentially earn 3 college credits.

Plus, you only need to get 50% to pass and get your credit. That is a lot less time than 16 weeks of class!

2. Get College Credit for Your Life and Work Experience

Did you start your own business at some point? Or attend seminars in your workplace? That stuff may count for credit.

Most universities will grant you up to 15 credits for prior life learning. You can submit a portfolio that:

  • clearly documents your experiences and can be verified
  • shows which course objectives you have already covered
  • demonstrates the learning outcomes you have mastered

American Intercontinental University, for example, states that up to 84% of their students received credit for prior learning or military experience. Don’t miss out on the credit you’ve already earned.

3. Stay Continuously Enrolled with Max Course Load

Testing out of exams and prior life experiences may only take you so far. At some point, you need to attend classes (online or in-person). But you don’t need to stay inside the traditional box.

Tradition says: You take 15 credits in the Fall Semester and 15 credits in the Winter Semester. It will take you 4 years to get 120 credit hours.

You don’t need to be traditional. Be innovative.

Innovation says: Most colleges will let you take up to 18 credits, in fall, winter, and summer. Yes, 3 semesters each school year. You will earn 54 credits a year this way.

Timeline to Completion

Accelerated Marketing Degree Programs Timeline to Completion

Here’s how long it will take you to finish your marketing degree if you use these 3 tips at the same time.

  1. Register and take 30 credits through the College Level Examination Program
  2. Submit a portfolio for 15 credits for Credit for Prior Learning
  3. Complete 18 credits each semester for just over 4 semesters

You might be done with 120 credits in 18 months. Start in September this year and be done by next Christmas.

Transferring Your Existing College Credits

Any credit you have may be good credit. If you have previously attended and completed college classes, then you might be able to apply those toward your marketing degree. Check to make sure that:

  • The college you attended was accredited
  • You earned at least a C in the class
  • Your old class will fit in with your new degree

That last point is not really that important because if you took random college classes in American Poetry, you may still apply that class as an elective for your marketing degree. No credit is wasted!

Marketing Degree Accreditation

logos of the regional accreditors

Anybody can print off a degree from their computers. But that will not get you very far in the professional world. You want an accredited degree. Most colleges are regionally accredited from one of these boards:

If you are wanting to get a higher level of accreditation, you would be applying for schools that are also accredited by one of these boards:

A big name accreditor feels good but is not necessary. If your school is regionally accredited, you are good to go.

Lower Tuition Costs

screenshot of FAFSA website

College is not cheap. Anybody who tells you otherwise is either lying or trying to sell you something. But there are completely legitimate ways to save you money while you get an accredited marketing degree.

The biggest way to pay less for your college tuition is to earn your credits by taking exams and credit for prior learning. Each credit hour that you have to spend in class will cost you more than $300. No matter where you go, testing out of exams and applying for credit for prior learning can help save you big bucks.

You may also save yourself some money by taking advantage of financial aid opportunities. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you qualify for. Then, supplement that with state funding and scholarships from private organizations and universities.

Universities Offering Online Marketing Degrees

The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Albany State University

Albany State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Albany State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

American Intercontinental University

American Intercontinental University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

AIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

American Public University System

American Public University campus

  • BA in Marketing

APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Arizona State University – Tempe

Arizona State University - Tempe campus

  • BS in Marketing

ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University campus

  • BS in Business – Marketing

APU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Baker College

Baker College campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Baker is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Bellevue is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Brenau University

Brenau University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Brenau is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University campus

  • BS in Marketing

CBU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

California Southern University

California Southern University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

CalSouthern is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission

Cambridge College

Cambridge College campus

  • BS in Digital Marketing

Cambridge College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Capella University

Capella University campus

  • BS in Business – Marketing

Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Clayton State University

Clayton State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Clayton is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Cleary University

cleary university campus

  • BBA in Digital Marketing

Cleary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University campus

  • BS in Marketing and Sales

CCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Colorado State University – Global

Colorado State University campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

CSU-Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University campus

  • BBA in Digital Marketing

CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Columbia College

Columbia College campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

Columbia is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Concordia University-Saint Paul

Concordia University St Paul campus

  • BA in Marketing

CSP is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University campus

  • BBS in Marketing

DBU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Davenport University

Davenport University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Davenport is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

East Carolina University

East Carolina University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Fisher College

Fisher College campus

  • BS in Marketing

Fisher is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

FAU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Florida International University

Florida International University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

FIU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Franklin University

Franklin University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Franklin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

GSW is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University campus

  • BS in Advertising and Marketing

GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Granite State College

Granite State College campus

  • BS in Marketing

Granite is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Harding University

Harding University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Harding is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Huntington University

Huntington University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Huntington is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Indiana State University

Indiana State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Indiana State has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1915.

Indiana University

Indiana University campus

  • BS in Marketing

IU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University campus

  • BS in Marketing

IWU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Johnson & Wales University – Providence

Johnson and Wales University campus

  • BS in Marketing

JWU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

KSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College.

Liberty University

Liberty University campus

  • BS in Business – Digital Marketing and Advertising

Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Linfield University

Linfield College campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

Linfield is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

LSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Midway University

Midway University campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

Midway is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Minot State University

Minot State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

MSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

Missouri Southern is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Montana State University – Billings

Montana State University Billings campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

MSUB is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

NMSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University campus

  • BS in Marketing

NIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

NKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

NMSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northwest University

Northwest University campus

  • BA in Business Management – Marketing

Northwest University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Northwest Christian University

Northwest Christian University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

NCU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Northwood University

northwood university campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

Northwood is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

ODU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University campus

  • BA/BS in Marketing

OSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Penn State Online is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Peru State College

Peru State College campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Peru State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Post University

Post University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Post is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen College campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

Rasmussen is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Regent University

Regent University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Regent is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Regis University

Regis University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Regis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University campus

  • BABA in Marketing

Saint Leo is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University campus

  • BS in Marketing

SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University campus

  • Bachelor’s in Business Marketing

SAGU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Strayer University

Strayer University campus1

  • BBA in Marketing

Strayer is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Sullivan University

Sullivan University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

Sullivan is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Temple University

Temple University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Temple is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Texas State University

Texas State University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Texas State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

TESU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Troy University

Troy University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing – Global Business

Troy is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Truett McConnell University

Truett McConnell University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

Truett McConnell is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Alabama – Birmingham

University of Alabama Birmingham campus

  • BS in Marketing

UAB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Louisiana – Monroe

University of Louisiana Monroe campus

  • BBA in Marketing

ULM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Mary

University of Mary campus

  • BS in Marketing

UMary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing

UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Massachusetts – Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst campus

  • BBA in Marketing

UMass Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth

University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth campus

  • BS in Marketing

UMass Dartmouth is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

University of Memphis

University of Memphis campus

  • BBA in Marketing

U of M is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Minnesota – Crookston

University of Minnesota - Crookston campus

  • BS in Marketing

UMN Crookston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Minnesota – Duluth

University of Minnesota campus

  • BBA in Marketing

UMN – Duluth is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Northwestern Ohio

University of Northwestern Ohio campus

  • Bachelor’s in Marketing
  • BBA in Marketing

UNOH is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix campus1

  • BS in Business – Marketing

UOPX is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Texas – Permian Basin

University of Texas Permian Basin campus

  • BBA in Marketing

The UTPB is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of West Alabama

University of West Alabama campus

  • BA/BS in Integrated Marketing Communications

UWA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus

  • BBA in Marketing

UW-Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission during a 2015 campus visit.

Walden University

Walden University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Walsh College

walsh college campus

  • BBA in Marketing

Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Walsh University

Walsh University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

WalshU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

West Texas A & M University

West Texas AM University campus

  • BBA in Marketing

WTAMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University campus

  • BSBA in Marketing

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Wilmington University

Wilmington University campus

  • BS in Marketing

Wilmington is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Ready to Start?

marketing team discussing during a meeting

Do you believe what you just read? That you can potentially:

  • Finish a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 18 months
  • Start a marketing career earning $47,000 or more a year (National Association of Colleges and Employers)

It will be hard work. But it doesn’t mean you have to quit your current job or move across the country. You can still be home for dinner and all the important family events.

Then, in 18 months, you may have earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Start by narrowing down your choice of colleges and applying for financial aid.

Ready to start your journey?
WRITTEN BY
Joy is pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Policy & Foreign Policy at Liberty University and holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Amberton University, as well as a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Columbia College. With over 20 years of experience navigating online degrees and courses, Joy's focus is helping non-traditional students find accelerated degree options and credit for prior learning opportunities.