Key Information:
- Bellevue University is the #1 school for an affordable online bachelor’s in marketing.
- Earning a degree in marketing can lead to enhanced career opportunities in fields such as advertising, digital marketing, and sales management.
- These online bachelor’s are particularly affordable, providing good value and return on investment for students.
Online degree programs have become the go-to choice for working adults who want to change careers or find new avenues for their skills and talents. For adults who want to move into marketing, an online marketing degree makes a lot of sense. Scheduling for online programs is convenient, so they don’t have to leave their current careers, and taking coursework from home saves on the time and money of commuting to campus.
But for many working adults, one criterion is more important than any other — cost. After all, the average working professional who goes back to school is paying their own way, and putting yourself in a debt you can’t pay back is not the smartest career decision. For busy adults who need the credentials to move their careers ahead, return on investment is critical. For those value-conscious prospective students, Bachelor’s Degree Center has ranked the most affordable online marketing degree programs in the US.
Methodology: Ranking the Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Marketing Online Programs
To rank the best affordable online marketing degree programs, Bachelor’s Degree Center began by searching out all of the accredited, fully online and hybrid bachelor’s programs in marketing in the US. But for the sake of putting programs in order, only one factor matters: tuition cost. Programs are ranked from lowest tuition rate to highest, with data drawn from IPEDS. All public universities are rated at their in-state cost, unless they have a separate tuition rate for online programs.
1. Bellevue University
The BS in Marketing from Bellevue University is an affordable bachelor’s in marketing that provides a convenient way for students to earn their undergraduate degree with all courses completed online. Tuition and fees are very low with a promised high return on investment for both state and out-of-state students. The accredited program features courses that teach students about marketing principles, industry ethics, interpersonal skills, and marketing to a global audience. A total of 127 credit hours are required for a BS in Marketing from Bellevue University.
Bellevue University is considered one of the nation’s top colleges for military students, with veterans benefits offered and accelerated degree programs for active duty military. The college’s central campus is located in Bellevue, but students can also take courses online or at one of the school’s satellite locations. Since 1966, Bellevue University has awarded more than 50,000 degrees to its graduates.
Degree: BS in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
2. Northern Kentucky University
The Northern Kentucky University online BS in Business Administration provided through was designed specifically for students interested in marketing careers. The affordable online marketing degree program requires students to complete a total of 120 credit hours with 50 of those credits from major business courses. The BSBA in Marketing degree program moves at an accelerated pace for fast completion with each course only taking seven weeks to finish. To enter the online program, students are considered pre-BSBA majors and must first pass six pre-requisite classes. Northern Kentucky University’s affordable bachelor’s in marketing online degree program is one of the best in the south.
Since 1968, Northern Kentucky University has educated graduate and undergraduate students on their sprawling suburban campus. The public college includes 16 campus buildings with the latest state-of-the-art technologies found inside. A nearly 10,000-seat arena was recently built adjacent to the college campus—offering more entertainment options to students and faculty. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked Northern Kentucky University one of the best Regional Southern Universities.
Degree: BSBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Undergraduate students can earn the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing completely online. The affordable online marketing degree follows a four-year program plan with 120 credits required for conferment. Topics covered in the degree track include advertising, marketing management, purchasing, copywriting, entrepreneurship, and sales management. The online BBA in Marketing from University of Louisiana at Monroe has an award-winning reputation with accolades given by websites such as Best Colleges and Successful Student.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is part of the state’s public university system. The college launched in 1931 as a junior college before gaining four-year status in 1950. The urban college has a competitive business school with the college’s MBA degree being ranked as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The University has recently expanded the size of their student body by increasing the number of online and graduate degrees offered.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
4. New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University is proud to offer students an affordable online marketing degree track. The NMSU Bachelor of Business Administration-Marketing program is available to take 100% digitally or through a hybrid format. The BBA in Marketing is completed on a part-time or full-time basis within four to six years. To graduate, 120 credits are needed from courses such as Marketing Research, Strategy and Policy, and Financial Analysis. The New Mexico State University’s online marketing degree has a low per credit cost with flexible scheduling options.
New Mexico State University is a public research college that has the distinction of being the oldest highest learning institution in the state. Founded in 1888, the university started as an agricultural college before expanding to add mechanical courses. Today, the campus spreads out over more than 2,000 acres and has a current enrollment of 21,000 plus students. Students have many majors to choose from: 90 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs, many available fully online.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
5. Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University’s online BS in Marketing helps students gain a better understanding about both the world of business and the advertising industry. Students enrolled in the competitive program must complete 124 credits for graduation with 57 hours being core business classes, 9 hours of marketing classes, and the remainder being general education requirements. With the convenience of taking classes online at Northwest Missouri State University, students can earn their BS in marketing degrees while working full-time jobs.
Northwest Missouri State University has a rich history within the United States, including acting as a site for naval military training during World War II. The rural college continues to be a veteran-friendly university with a number of programs designed to help military personnel earn their degrees. The university provides a number of inclusions with tuition costs, including giving students access to laptops and textbooks at no additional cost. The college has become green too, in recent years, with up to 85 percent of energy needs met through alternative fuels. Northwest Missouri State University is highly ranked on college review sites—including rating i the top 20 regional public schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Degree: BS in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
6. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing degree is available fully online. The first two years of study focuses on educating the student on business practices with classes scheduled such as Banking, Financial Management, Business Law, and International Business. Marketing elective choices include Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Promotional Management, and International Marketing. For graduation, Florida Atlantic University requires a total of 120 credits completed. Earn an affordable bachelor’s in marketing from Florida Atlantic University with business, marketing, and elective courses available to take online.
Florida Atlantic University was established in 1961 with an initial student enrollment of just 867. Today, more than 30,000 students are enrolled at the public college and take courses at the Boca Raton campus, one of the five satellite campuses, or online. The Princeton Review named Florida Atlantic University one of the best colleges in the Southeastern United States. The college is the site of major research projects funded by organizations that include Scripps Research Institute and the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies. Florida Atlantic University promises a well-rounded education at an exceptional value.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
7. Fort Hays State University
The Fort Hays State University Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing degree is delivered in both a traditional and digital format. All general education and business courses are available through the college’s online portal. To earn the marketing degree, students must pass business core classes, marketing major core classes, marketing electives, and general education courses. Fort Hays State University also allows student to choose a marketing concentration such as Business Development and Sales or Digital Marketing. Job outlook for marketing degree holders from Fort Hays State University is exceptional.
The rural Midwest campus of Fort Hays State University sprawls across 200 acres in the Heartland. The college awards both bachelor’s and master’s degrees with the recent addition of a Doctorate of Nurse Practice degree. Despite the rural location, a number of shops, restaurants, and galleries are located on or near the Hays campus. Fort Hays State University boasts a 95 percent graduation rate among students.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
8. West Texas A&M University
For an affordable online marketing degree option, students turn to West Texas A&M University’s online Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The BBA can be completed through digital delivery and requires a total of 120 credit hours for graduation. Before acceptance into the School of Business, 30 pre-requisite credits are needed. Business course start during the second year of study with business and marketing electives completed in years three and four. The online and affordable bachelor’s in marketing from West Texas A&M University prepares graduates for careers as public relations managers, retail managers, promoters, and wholesale buyers.
West Texas A&M University began as a teaching college in the early 20th century with less than 200 enrolled students. In the 1960s, the college was given status as a state university and has continued to grow in size since that period. In recent years, the college has been considered a leader in the field of distance learning, with national recognition ranking the college’s online MBA degree program as a best value.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
9. University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Students appreciate the ability to earn an affordable bachelor’s in marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin on their own timelines. The marketing degree requires a total of 120 credits with hours earned from general education classes, major courses, business courses, and electives. The highly-rated affordable bachelor’s in marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin has a high job placement rate with the average starting salary exceeding $40,000 annually.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a public college that is part of the University of Wisconsin University System. The college was launched in 1868 as a teachers college and now has over 12,000 students enrolled in one of 60-plus degree programs. The college has traditional, hybrid, and digital course offerings.
Degree: BBA in Marketing
$$$$$
10. East Carolina University
The BS in Business Administration from East Carolina University can be done fully online with specializations in the field of marketing. The accredited program involves access to the college’s online portal with certain courses requiring in-person proctored examinations. Approved proctors are located throughout the U.S. Topics covered in courses include supply and demand, inventory management, quality control, marketing research and distribution. The affordable distance learning marketing degree program from East Carolina University makes the school a top choice.
East Carolina University is a public college located in the city of Greenville, NC. The college boasts a large course catalog with close to 200 degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Best known for their nursing and health sciences program, ECU has long been a major force in education for working adults and professionals, making it one of the highest-ranked regional institutions in the South.
Degree: BSBA in Marketing
$$$$$
Learn more about this affordable marketing degree here!
When you look for affordable online marketing programs, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. Students want to know that they’ve made the right choice. An online marketing degree will definitely open doors for your career. Your experiences will give you options, but most degree-seekers have questions about the decision to pursue online marketing.
Can I Get a Marketing Degree Online Free?
The short answer: It’s possible but not probable. Some students can take free digital marketing classes online, but it’s not an easy search.
The longer answer: You might be able to get a marketing degree online free, but you’ll have to put in a lot of effort and research to make it happen. Thanks to scholarships, a few students have earned their marketing degrees for free. At the very least, you can make your degree experience affordable. If you want the best online digital marketing courses, but you need financial help, the first thing you should do is check with your school’s financial aid office. You can also research independent scholarships. A scholarship can help you pay for your online marketing courses.
You can also find some online marketing courses for free. Check college websites and your local library for free courses. However, these courses don’t usually come with credit, so they won’t count towards your degree. That said, if you just want to get your feet wet, you can find some of the best online digital marketing courses this way. They’ll definitely make you more knowledgeable in your field and could potentially open career options.
You may find free online courses to develop marketing skills in areas like:
- integrated marketing communications
- marketing strategies
- pricing
- brand management
- marketing analytics
- business marketing
- e‑commerce
- internet marketing
- search engine optimization
- strategic marketing
- managing marketing campaigns
- developing marketing plans
There are many ways marketing students can save money on a degree, however; you may transfer credit, earn credit for work experience (for working marketing professionals), and other approaches. High-quality higher education and affordability don’t have to be opposed for online students. Online colleges are often cheaper for learners than on-campus as well. Online learning goes all the way to an online master.
Will a Marketing Certification Help My Career?
Some people choose marketing certification programs over degree programs. Certificates provide a cheaper, faster option than the degree path. Even without a degree, a certificate can absolutely help your career. They’ll give you a competitive edge when it comes to promotions and other career advancements. You may even find marketing certifications free online. When it comes to marketing certifications, free options are much easier to find than free degree options. Just search “marketing certifications free online” to get started. You’ll find lots of credible programs this way.
Just like with a degree, marketing certification offers different specializations. You might get a social media marketing certification, for instance. If a social media marketing certification doesn’t appeal to you, then maybe you’d prefer a content marketing program instead. You have lots of marketing certification programs to choose from. Each one can help you advance your career or take it in a different direction.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts are growing much faster than other jobs. The marketing field is booming, and online schools are offering everything from an online bachelor of science in marketing to doctorates. Check the accreditation of your school, and whether it is non-profit or for-profit. An online bachelor’s degree may also let students use their current workplace for internships.
Is Digital Marketing a Good Career Choice?
Yes, digital marketing is a good career choice. As long as you enjoy digital marketing, then you can make a great career out of it. Digital marketing isn’t going away any time soon. As long as people have the internet, people will hire those who have taken digital marketing classes online. Once you’ve earned your digital marketing certificate, Google and other search engines can help you find some great job opportunities.
In fact, you can see right now how lucrative your career can become. Before you even earn your digital marketing certificate, Google the possibilities. You’ll find page after page of options. A digital marketing degree salary hovers over $138,730 on average. Even beyond the digital marketing degree salary, a job in online marketing can bring lots of enjoyment, exploration, and job security. If you’re interested in earning your degree or certificate, don’t hesitate to choose online marketing.
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