Sometimes a product sells itself — such as a beautiful city with a stunning skyline or other attractive view, as in the picture above. For the other times, there’s marketing. Marketing is a cross-disciplinary field with the primary goal of persuading consumers and businesses to buy products and services. It’s a mix of advertising, market research, cultural understanding, regional trends, economics, demographics, psychology and other aspects. For that reason, marketing skills are applicable for businesses and organizations in any industry/ field, and a typical starting point is an associate’s degree in either marketing or in business with a marketing concentration. From here, a graduate can later add a bachelor’s degree or higher to their knowledge and skill set.
This college rankings article focuses on online degrees in marketing and related topics, at the associate’s level. Be sure to also check our other marketing program rankings:
- 25 Most Affordable Master’s of Marketing Degrees
- 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s of Marketing Degrees
- 20 Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing
- 15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing
Careers in Marketing
The list below shows some of the jobs and organizations/ industries where career opportunities lie, for graduates of associate’s degrees in marketing and closely-related topics. The information is compiled from the Web pages of the 15 colleges ranked in this article.
- advertising account representative
- advertising art director
- advertising coordinator
- advertising manager
- advertising sales agent
- assistant buyer
- business intelligence analyst
- business manager
- business owner
- customer service
- customer service manager
- entertainment
- event planner
- events coordinator
- information architect
- inside sales representative
- management analyst
- management trainee
- market research analyst
- market research assistant
- marketing
- marketing assistant
- marketing communications associate
- marketing events coordinator
- marketing manager
- marketing research analyst
- marketing specialist
- marketing supervisor
- media research analyst
- merchandise displayer
- product demonstrator
- product management
- product promoter
- promotions coordinator
- promotions manager
- public relations
- public relations specialist
- retail buyer
- retail sales manager
- retail sales supervisor
- retailing
- sales agent
- sales coordinator
- sales manager
- sales representative
- sales specialist
- sales support specialist
- search engine marketing specialist
- search marketing strategist
- sports management
- survey researcher
- web content editor
- web designer
- web-based businesses
- wholesale buyer
Rankings: Affordable Online Associate’s Degrees in Marketing
15: Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) is a public community college established in 1969. BRCC is part of the North Carolina Community College System and its main campus is in Flat Rock, North Carolina, about 100 miles west and slightly north of Charlotte, NC, and around 135 miles southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee. Original name: Henderson County Technical Institute.
BRCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing and Retailing. The AAS requires a minimum of 70-71 credit hours, with at least 19 for marketing courses. The program combines a study of advertising, business, computers, management, marketing, merchandising, retailing, and selling to prepare students for marketing careers with manufacturing companies, retail businesses, or service organizations.
Sample courses: Advertising and Sales Promotion; Customer Service; Fundamentals of Selling; Marketing Applications; Marketing Research; Social Media Marketing
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14: Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College (MCC) is a public community college established in 1963. MCC is part of the Maricopa County Community College District and its two main campuses are in Mesa, Arizona, one around 15 miles southeast of Phoenix, AZ, the other about 30 miles east of Phoenix.
MCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Business – Marketing Track III. The AAS requires 67-72 credits, with 18 for the marketing track. This program combines business, management, and marketing courses with a liberal arts core to create a workforce-ready education that prepares students for careers in areas such as advertising, entertainment, marketing, public relations, sales, or sports management. The degree also provides students with the foundation needed to pursue a bachelor’s degree (some curriculum tweaking may be required; check with MCC for details).
Sample courses: Advertising Principles; Introduction to Public Relations; Marketing Research; Merchandising; Principles of Marketing; Principles of Salesmanship
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13: Lakeshore Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) is a public technical community college established in 1967. LTC is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System and its main campus is in Cleveland, Wisconsin, some 65 miles north and slightly east of Milwaukee, WI, and about 55 miles southeast of Green Bay, WI. Original name: Lakeshore Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education School.
LTC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Marketing. The AAS requires 64 credits, with 43 for program requirements, featuring 37 for marketing, internet marketing, and web development courses (incl. a marketing internship). This degree helps students become marketing professionals in the “digital age.” It ensures students can understand, connect with, and develop long-term relationships with modern consumers, most of whom have a wealth of choice, information, and interaction literally at their fingertips.
Sample courses: B2B Sales and CRM (Customer Relationship Management); Direct Marketing, PR, and Media; Integrated Web Concepts; Marketing Strategies and Planning; Research and Web Analytics; Promotion in the Social Media Campaign; Retail Marketing
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12: Marion Technical College
Marion Technical College (MTC) is a public technical college established in 1970. MTC is part of the University System of Ohio and is located in Marion, Ohio, some 50 miles north of Columbus, OH, and about 115 miles southwest of Cleveland, OH. Original name: Marion County Technical Institute.
MTC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Business Management with a Marketing Management Major. The AAB requires 63 credit-hours, with up to 15 for marketing courses and 1 for a co-operative education experience. The program combines a range of business, communication, computer, management, and marketing courses to prepare students for roles managing, promoting, and/ or selling an organization and its products/ services. This program is available online, but not all classes are available online in all semesters.
Sample courses: Consumer Behavior; Individual Investigation (in Marketing); Principles of Advertising and Promotion; Principles of Marketing; Public Relations and Social Media
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11: Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College (Bucks or BCCC) is a public community college established in 1964. Its main campus is in Newtown, Pennsylvania, some 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia, PA, and about 70 miles southwest of New York, NY.
Bucks offers one online Marketing program — its Associate’s degree in Management/ Marketing with an Emphasis/ Track in Marketing. This degree requires 60-63 credit-hours, with 3-12 for marketing courses and electives (within the program requirements) and another 12 for the Marketing Track (incl. a cooperative education course). The other two tracks that can be selected with this degree are in Management or Retail Management. Students completing the marketing program will be able to pursue entry-level management, marketing, or sales positions within a variety of businesses.
Sample courses: Advertising; Digital Marketing; Introduction to the Fashion Industry; Principles of Marketing; Retail Merchandising; Selling
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10: Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (MCC) is a multi-campus, public community college established in 1954. MCC’s main campus is in Warren, Michigan, about 15 miles northeast of Detroit, MI. Original name: South Macomb Community College.
MCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Business Administration (ABA) in Marketing. The ABA requires 62 credit hours with at least 21 for marketing courses. One of the key goals of the program is creating marketers who are able to build long-term, successful relationships with their target market through the ability to analyze marketplace dynamics and understand consumer behavior and its influences. Students with this ABA will be prepared for a variety of marketing, retail, and sales positions. (The Marketing program’s curriculum can also be tweaked to ensure students are able to continue on to a bachelor’s degree.)
Sample courses: Advertising and Promotion Management; Consumer Behavior; Dynamics of Retailing; E-Marketing; Global Marketing; Marketing Research; Small Business Marketing
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9: Ozarks Technical Community College
Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) is a public community college system established in 1990. OTC’s main campus is in Springfield, Missouri, some 165 miles southeast of Kansas City, MO, and about 180 miles northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Original name: Heart of the Ozarks Community Technical College.
OTC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business and Marketing. The AAS requires a minimum of 61 credit hours, with about 42 for program requirements, which features 15 to 21 for marketing/ marketing-related courses and electives (incl. a co-operative education/ internship option). The program provides students with a strong foundation in business concepts and principles, supplemented with knowledge in specific areas of marketing. This prepares them for entry-level management, marketing, or retail positions.
Sample courses: Co-Operative Education/ Internship; Customer Service; Entrepreneurship; Principles of Advertising; Principles of Marketing; Retailing; Selling
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8: Columbus State Community College
Columbus State Community College (CSCC) is a public community college established in 1963. Its main campus is in Columbus, Ohio, about 110 miles northeast of Cincinnati, OH, and around 180 miles west and somewhat south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Original name: Columbus Area Technician School.
CSCC offers two online Marketing programs. Its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Marketing requires 63-64 credit hours, with 24-29 for marketing courses (incl. a practicum option). This program provides students with a strong foundation in fundamental marketing principles and the opportunity to selectively study various specialized areas. Those who want an additional focus on direct marketing and digital marketing can take CSCC’s AAS in Digital Marketing. It requires 64-65 credit hours, with 27-29 for marketing courses (incl. a practicum option). Most courses in both programs can be completed online, but some courses may only be available in a blended/ hybrid format and thus have some in-person/ face-to-face requirements.
Sample courses: Branding; Business to Business Marketing; Digital Marketing; Direct and Database Marketing; Marketing Information and Consumer Analysis; Marketing Practicum; Marketing Seminar
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7: Lanier Technical College
Lanier Technical College (LTC) is a public technical community college established in 1964. LTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and its main campus is in Oakwood, Georgia, some 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, GA, and about 205 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. Original name: Gainesville-Hall County Area Vocational Trade School.
LTC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business Management with a Specialization in Marketing. The AAS requires 63 credit hours, with 33 for the program core and 12 for the Marketing Specialization. The program’s two other specialization options are in Social Media (Marketing) or General Management (which allows students to build their own option from any business management or marketing course). Students with the AAS will be able to become business managers, business owners, or marketing specialists. (Program specializations should begin in 2016-17, and are replacing LTC’s Marketing Management degree, which is no longer accepting new students. Check with the college to determine exact timing/ availability.)
Sample courses: Analyzing Social Media; Buying and Merchandising; Global Marketing; Integrated Marketing Communications; Marketing Research; Principles of Marketing; Professional Selling
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6: Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College (PCC) is a public community college established in 1961. PCC is part of the North Carolina Community College System and its main campus is located in Winterville, North Carolina, about 85 miles east and somewhat south of Raleigh, NC, and around 145 miles southwest of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Original name: Pitt Industrial Education Center.
PCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing. The AAS requires 69 credit hours, with 53 for the major, including 28 for marketing courses. The program covers a wide array of marketing topics and includes a strong focus on retailing. Students will also have the opportunity to practice and develop such fundamental marketing skills as the ability to create ads (newspaper, radio, TV); displays; logos; marketing plans; packaging designs; and sales presentations. Career opportunities can be found with businesses in the manufacturing, retail, or service sectors.
Sample courses: Advertising and Sales Promotion; Customer Service; Marketing Applications; Marketing Research; Retailing; Social Media Marketing; Visual Merchandising
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5: Clark State Community College
Clark State Community College (Clark State or CSCC) is a public community college established in 1962. CSCC’s main campus is in Springfield, Ohio, some 45 miles west and slightly south of Columbus, OH, and about 80 miles northeast of Cincinnati, OH. Original name: Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program.
CSCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Management with a Marketing Option. This AAB requires 62 credit hours (incl. a capstone), with 15-18 for marketing courses and electives. The program provides students with a broadly focused business education, featuring a strong foundation in management and marketing, including the “four Ps of marketing”: physical distribution, pricing, product management, and promotion. The recommended course schedule suits full-time students best; part-time students may require additional semesters due to course rotations. The degree can be completed almost fully online, although at least one marketing course is in a hybrid format, and some elective options may have in-person requirements, too.
Sample courses: Electronic Business Applications; Marketing Management; Pricing Strategies; Product Management; Promotion and IMC (Integrated Marketing Communication) Strategies; Sales and Sales Management
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4: Cuyahoga Community College District
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is a public, multi-campus community college district/ system established in 1963. Tri-C’s main campus is located in Cleveland, Ohio, about 130 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tri-C offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in Marketing. The AAB requires 62 credit hours, with 46 for program requirements, featuring about 15 for marketing courses and 17 for business administration courses (incl. a capstone). The degree helps students develop communication and interpersonal skills, while providing them with a foundation in business and marketing, supplemented by accounting, economics, and mathematics knowledge. This ensures they can pursue marketing-related positions within a variety of businesses. This marketing degree is available almost fully online (Tri-C states 95% of the program can be completed online).
Sample courses: Business-to-Business/ Organizational Marketing; Principles of Advertising; Principles of Marketing; Principles of Salesmanship; Sales Promotion and Public Relations
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3: Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) offers the third lowest cost online Marketing Associate’s degree in the U.S. FTCC is a public community college established in 1961. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System and its main campus is in Fayetteville, North Carolina, some 70 miles southwest of Raleigh, NC, and around 115 miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Original name: Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center.
FTCC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing. The AAS requires 66 credits, with at least 27 for marketing courses. The degree provides students with a wide spectrum of marketing-related knowledge and skills (incl. in advertising, customer service, merchandising, and social media marketing). This prepares them for a variety of marketing and marketing-related positions with manufacturing, retail, or service organizations.
Sample courses: Advertising and Sales Promotion; Consumer Behavior; Customer Service; Marketing Applications; Marketing Research; Social Media Marketing; Visual Merchandising
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2: Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Second on our list of America’s most economical online Associate’s degrees in Marketing is an offering from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC), a public technical community college established in 2010 (when East Central Technical College merged with Valdosta Technical College). WGTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia and its main campus is in Valdosta, Georgia, some 80 miles northeast of Tallahassee, Florida, and about 130 miles northwest of Jacksonville, FL.
WGTC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Marketing Management. The AAS requires 62 credit hours, with 36 to 38 for occupational courses (incl. 21 to 27 for marketing courses and electives) and 11 to 12 for one of five available Specializations: e-Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing Management, Retail Management, or Social Media Marketing. The degree provides students with the knowledge and skills required for a variety of management or marketing positions, or to be able to manage and promote their own businesses.
Sample courses: Analyzing Social Media; Consumer Behavior; Digital Publishing and Design; International Marketing; Marketing Internship/ Practicum; Professional Selling; Visual Merchandising
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1: Albany Technical College
Albany Technical College (ATC or Albany Tech) offers the most affordable online Associate’s degree in Marketing in the United States. ATC is a public technical community college established in 1961. It is part of the Technical College System of Georgia and its main campus is in Albany, Georgia, some 185 miles roughly south of Atlanta, GA, and about 95 miles north and slightly east of Tallahassee, Florida. Original name: Monroe Area Vocational-Technical School.
ATC offers one online Marketing program — its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Marketing Management. The AAS requires 62 credit hours, with 47 for occupational courses, which includes 21 for marketing courses and electives (incl. an internship/ practicum option) and 9-12 for one of three Specializations: Entrepreneurship, Marketing Management, or Retail Management. The program is suitable for three types of students: (a) those just entering the workforce; (b) those who already work in marketing but want to improve their skills and/ or advance their careers; and (c) those who work in another field but want to transition into management or marketing management positions.
Sample courses: Buying and Merchandising; Integrated Marketing Communications/ Promotion and Marketing Communication; Marketing Channels; Marketing Internship/ Practicum; Marketing Management; Marketing Research; Services Marketing
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NOTES
- In terms of topic categories searched in the NCES.ed.gov database, we queried for programs in two categories: (1) Marketing/Marketing Management, General and (2) Marketing, Other.
- For online degree rankings, if a college does not report graduation rate, it is shown as 0% for that institution, for the purposes of charting and statistical summaries.
- A college’s tuition for online programs may differ than that quoted for the on-campus program. This could be due to either or both of technology fees and out-of-state-portion waivers. Check with a college if you’re unsure. We have listed the tuition and net price values recorded in the NCES.ed.gov database.
- As accreditation can change or only be valid regionally, please verify accreditation of any college to which you are planning to apply.
- NCES data is subject to change and some of these “affordable degrees” guides may use more recent data than described in the Methodology.
- For the full list of programs covered to date, please check our School Rankings page.
- Online programs are strongly self-directed and recommended only for students who are self-driven when it comes to studying and researching.
- Some online program selection tips:
- Spend the time to carefully read the degree requirements.
- Browse the course curriculum and make notes of the courses that interest you most.
- Consider creating a spreadsheet to compare summaries of course/ programs across the schools referenced here. If you are looking for a minimum set of courses, make a list of those courses, one per column. Then list ranked schools vertically in the spreadsheet, one per row. Color code or make an annotation for each course offered by a given school.
- Add other columns to record information about tuition, net price, #credits/ courses required, etc., and color code their cells as suitable.
- This visual approach to online program selection can be quite effective compared to staring at bare numbers.
- The methodology for this series on online bachelor’s degrees is essentially the same as for our 15-school college rankings list. For example, see the “Methodology” section of the ranking list article 15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing for an explanation of the process we use to rank colleges in each topical bachelor’s list.
Rankings:
- 20 Tuition-Free Colleges
- The 50 Most Affordable Colleges with the Best Return
- 30 Most Attractive Yet Affordable College Campuses
- 30 Most Inviting Yet Affordable College Dorms in America
- 25 Most Affordable Bachelor’s-Granting Historically Black Colleges/ Universities
- These 30 Colleges are Reversing the Rise in Tuition
- The 50 Most Affordable Community Colleges That Offer Online Degrees
- 20 Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
The Best Colleges
The Lowest Costs
The Highest Returns