Digital marketing represents about 54% of total advertising spend in the United States, and that percentage is only going to increase in the near future. Companies need people who understand how to use online and mobile formats to reach customers. Getting an online MBA in digital marketing is a great way to get the skills you need to advance in the workplace and become a digital marketing expert. With some very affordable and convenient programs, you have excellent choices that will allow you to get your degree while continuing to work in your current job.
What is a Digital Marketing MBA?
Just like other MBA programs, an MBA in digital marketing will have basic business courses that will help you understand management, finance, economics, analytics, and strategy. In addition, students will take courses that cover different types of digital marketing like social media, email, and e-commerce. Because the degree is working with online end-products, it makes an exceptionally good program to take as a distance degree, since you can hone your digital skills while you study online.
Who Gets This Degree?
Digital marketing graduate programs are filled with people from many stages in their careers. Some people go right from their undergraduate degree into an MBA, while others will decide to go back for the MBA after years in the workforce. Online MBA digital marketing degrees are especially great for people who want to keep their job while they study for this credential. While some programs require an undergraduate degree in business, others are happy to take students from any field, though a few business prerequisite courses might be required. You will find that your classes may have executives with tons of marketing expertise but less digital knowledge, or marketing pros who want to step up to management positions with the MBA. You will also find business owners who want to grow their skills to make their businesses more successful by earning an online MBA in digital marketing.
MBA vs. Master of Science in Digital Marketing
If you want to get a master’s degree in digital marketing, you have a choice between getting an online MBA digital marketing degree or a Master of Science (MS) in digital marketing. Though both degrees will give you skills in digital marketing, they have very different overall curricula, and will give you different job options when you graduate.
The biggest difference is that an online MBA in digital marketing will give you broad business and management skills that can apply to many areas of business, giving you more flexibility in the types of jobs you may qualify for. An MBA gives you solid managerial training to move into higher levels of responsibility in many areas of business beyond digital marketing. The MBA in general is a very popular degree for people in the business world, and it is an excellent choice if you have a few years of professional experience.
An MS is digital marketing will delve more into marketing than management. For instance, you would likely study more about consumer behavior, media relations, marketing automation, marketing analytics, advertising, and sales. If you know you want to take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of marketing processes and theory, an MS is a better degree. If you are considering a career in marketing after your bachelor’s degree, and you want to go right on to a master’s, then the MS may be a good choice for you.
Is an Online MBA in Digital Marketing Worth It?
In business school, you will learn how to do cost-benefit analysis, but you can do this even before you enroll. Loads of research over the years has shown that graduates of the top MBA programs earn hefty salaries, but does that play out for lesser-known schools too? It turns out that an MBA from any one of the top 50 business schools nets people a median lifetime premium of $2.3 million over what they would have earned with their bachelor’s degree. You may also want to consider whether you will be losing money while you are in school—opportunity cost. If you take an online MBA digital marketing degree, you will likely be able to keep your current job while you level up your credentials. Plus, the cost of the programs on our “most affordable” list are all under $30k, giving you a good chance of making back that tuition money pretty quickly with the MBA digital marketing salary that you can get with the credential.
Online MBA Digital Marketing Careers
There are many jobs out there for digital marketing MBA graduates. The most obvious positions would be as a digital marketing manager, digital media specialist, or social media coordinator. Other traditional marketing titles may be a good fit as well, including advertising account manager, brand manager, product manager, account executive, or market analyst. With some on-the-job experience, a graduate with an MBA internet marketing degree could become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), which would put them right up there with CEOs and CFOs.
Less traditional jobs for someone with a digital marketing degree might be management positions in other parts of a business, such as financial managers, public relations managers, fundraising managers, and any position that can use their core MBA competencies in business. Plus, many MBA digital marketing online graduates may be looking to become entrepreneurs, starting their own businesses with the top-notch digital marketing expertise, whether that is a traditional brick and mortar business, an e-commerce business, or a consulting service. A great business for a digital marketing professional would be to start a digital advertising agency of their own.
MBA digital marketing salary ranges can be quite high, depending on the position you land. The median salary for marketing managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $141,490, and jobs are expected to grow 10% between 2020 and 2030. Market research analysts, though they make a lower median salary of $65,810, have an incredible projected job growth of 22%, which is much faster than average. The skills you learn in an MBA, combined with the concentration in digital marketing, which is so central to business now, will make you competitive for many highly-compensated and in-demand jobs.
9 Most Affordable Online MBA in Digital Marketing
Below you’ll find the top, affordable online MBA in digital marketing programs. Each of these online degrees are available at least 80% online, most 100% online.
Fort Hays State University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $11,900The online MBA digital marketing concentration from Fort Hays State University breaks the rule: it is fast, good, and cheap. One of the most affordable MBA programs out there, this degree has rolling admission and 8-week long courses to make it easy to start any time and finish quickly. There are 24 credits of core classes, including Marketing Management, Advanced Corporate Finance, and Organizational Behavior in a Global Context. Nine credits of concentration classes are required, and students can choose from Integrated Marketing Communication, Strategic Electronic Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Social Media Marketing Content and Analytics. Applicants need no GRE, and there are no prerequisite courses no matter what subject your undergraduate degree is in. FHSU offers career counseling and placement for life, plus provides each graduate student a dedicated advisor to help them navigate the program. For a flexible, convenient, and quality digital marketing program, the FHSU online degree is a great choice.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingArkansas Tech University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State): $12,491
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $22,127Arkansas Tech University’s digital marketing MBA online offers students from Arkansas and neighboring states an amazing deal on tuition, and also offers affordable rates for other online students. Core curriculum includes courses such as Business Information Analysis, Corporate Financial Management, Decision Modeling in Supply Chain Management, and Digital Marketing Strategy. In addition to the 24 credits of core courses, students take nine credits in the concentration, including Applied Predictive Analytics, and then choose two out of the following: Strategic Social Media Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Special Topics in Marketing. Applicants need to have a 3.5 GPA from an accredited business bachelor’s degree or meet minimum scores on the GRE or GMAT. Conditional admission is possible for those with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or lower GPA plus at least five years of management experience or minimum GRE/GMAT scores. The exam scores may be waived for applicants with work experience or other graduate degrees. In addition, students must have taken prerequisite courses in accounting, economics, finance, and statistics. With exceptionally high standards for quality education and reasonable tuition pricing, the Arkansas Tech program is a great way to advance your career in marketing.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingClayton State University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $13,933There are five possible start dates each year for the online MBA in digital marketing from Clayton State University, and it is a fast-track 33-credit program that can be completed in one to two years depending on a student’s schedule. Core courses include Accounting Concepts, Decision Making Uncertainty, Management Change & Innovation, and a capstone in Global Strategic Management. Concentration classes are Integrated Marketing Communication, Digital Marketing & Strategy, and Social Media Marketing. To apply, students need an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, a GPA of 2.75 plus three years of professional experience, GPA of 2.5 plus experience and interview, or 2.0 GPA with experience and acceptable GMAT scores. For applicants over 62, a bachelor’s degree plus ten years of business ownership or management experience allows acceptance. International students are welcome. Excellent faculty, convenient scheduling, and low tuition are all attractive features of the Clayton State University program.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingTexas A&M University – Commerce
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State): $17,380
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $33,838Texas A & M University – Commerce’s digital marketing graduate program is in the form of an MBA with a minor in digital marketing and boasts accomplished faculty and great industry connections. The 39-credit program requires no thesis and no foreign language, and takes four years as a part time program. Core courses include Applied Business Research, Business Analytics for Majors, and Management & Organizational Behavior. The minor requires four classes: Advertising and Promotion, Digital Marketing, Internet Marketing, and Marketing Internship. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and a business undergraduate degree is not required. For those with a non-business bachelor’s degree, there is one prerequisite course in statistics. This degree is a true bargain for Texas residents, with reasonable tuition for students in other states. At this time, the program is not open to international students. For a convenient part-time online program, the Texas A & M University MBA with a digital marketing minor is a great choice.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingOhio Christian University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $20,440The 36-credit Ohio Christian University digital marketing MBA online offers 5-week courses with weekly online discussions and assignments that make it easy for working adults to fit study into their busy schedules. The core curriculum includes classes such as Economics for Managers, Quantitative and Analytic Methods, Global Business Environment, and Applied Business Administration Capstone. The digital marketing concentration courses are Marketing and Advertising for Managers, Digital Marketing, Psychology of Marketing, and Product and Brand Development. Applicants need to hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Tuition is reasonable for all, but the special price for military students makes it a real bargain for those with military affiliation. The program integrates faith with education and is especially appealing to students for whom Christian faith is a central part of their lives. Highly recommended for students who seek a convenient budget option for their degree.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $21,384The 36-credit Ohio Christian University digital marketing MBA online offers 5-week courses with weekly online discussions and assignments that make it easy for working adults to fit study into their busy schedules. The core curriculum includes classes such as Economics for Managers, Quantitative and Analytic Methods, Global Business Environment, and Applied Business Administration Capstone. The digital marketing concentration courses are Marketing and Advertising for Managers, Digital Marketing, Psychology of Marketing, and Product and Brand Development. Applicants need to hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Tuition is reasonable for all, but the special price for military students makes it a real bargain for those with military affiliation. The program integrates faith with education and is especially appealing to students for whom Christian faith is a central part of their lives. Highly recommended for students who seek a convenient budget option for their degree.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingNational American University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / E-Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $25,000The 36-credit Ohio Christian University digital marketing MBA online offers 5-week courses with weekly online discussions and assignments that make it easy for working adults to fit study into their busy schedules. The core curriculum includes classes such as Economics for Managers, Quantitative and Analytic Methods, Global Business Environment, and Applied Business Administration Capstone. The digital marketing concentration courses are Marketing and Advertising for Managers, Digital Marketing, Psychology of Marketing, and Product and Brand Development. Applicants need to hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Tuition is reasonable for all, but the special price for military students makes it a real bargain for those with military affiliation. The program integrates faith with education and is especially appealing to students for whom Christian faith is a central part of their lives. Highly recommended for students who seek a convenient budget option for their degree.
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Master of Business Administration / E-MarketingMessiah University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Digital Marketing
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $25,560
The 100% online MBA in digital marketing from Messiah University can be completed in two years and has courses starting every eight weeks. With 27 core credits, classes include Business Strategy and Execution, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Best Practices in Leadership, and Organizational Effectiveness. Nine credits of concentration classes include Digital Marketing, Social Media Strategy, and Marketing Analytics. The program finishes with a capstone project that students will work on with a faculty member and an organization of their choice. All the courses are designed to be immediately applicable to a student’s current employment and are taught by experienced faculty. The school offers extensive opportunities for networking and connections, and is a community based on faith influencing the way business is done. There are no extra fees with the tuition, and the program offers deferred billing for students who are using employer education benefits to finance their education. A highly recommended program, Messiah University’s MBA is especially relevant for those who value a Christian perspective in their education.
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Master of Business Administration / Digital MarketingLiberty University
Degree: Master of Business Administration / Strategic Media & Digital Content
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $26,520Liberty University’s 45-credit digital marketing MBA offers students the option to transfer in up to 50% of the credits for the degree, making it an excellent choice for those who have previous graduate credits but no degree. It is also a great option for military students and veteran first responders because of the incredible tuition discounts afforded to them. The program can be completed within two years fully online. Core courses include Strategic Marketing Management, Legal Issues in Business, International Business, Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management, and Operations Management. The concentration classes include Media Technologies & Communication Strategies, Strategic Media Analysis, Best Practices: Transforming the Digital Organization, and Using Emerging Trends in Strategic Communication. Admission requires and undergraduate GPA of 3.0 plus undergraduate business prerequisites. Liberty University boasts a strong online teaching environment, tuition that has not increased in six years, and exception faculty, making this a great program for many who seek a digital marketing MBA online.
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Master of Business Administration / Strategic Media & Digital Content
Start Today!
What is digital marketing MBA training going to do for your career? The skills are hot, the business education gives you a great foundation for management in many sectors, and the salary bump with an MBA is substantial. Getting an online MBA digital marketing degree, especially one of these highly affordable choices, is a great investment of your time and money, knowing that you can rise in almost any business you want to work in! Is there any reason to wait?