10 Most Affordable Online MBA in Marketing Programs 2027

Marketing has become one of the more data-driven corners of modern business, and an MBA with a marketing concentration is built to prepare you for that shift. Rather than treating marketing as a purely creative discipline, this concentration pairs core business training in finance and strategy with coursework in consumer behavior, digital campaigns, and marketing analytics.

Building that skill set doesn't require an expensive degree. A number of accredited, affordable online MBA programs deliver genuine marketing leadership training without the steep tuition some business schools charge. This guide rounds up ten of those programs, along with what the coursework covers and what to expect once you enroll.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Marketing?

An MBA degree is a type of master's degree program that prepares students for various leadership and management roles in business. These programs often have specializations to help students prepare for specific career paths.

Many schools offer MBAs with marketing specializations. These programs provide a solid foundation in core business topics while offering extra classes geared toward aspiring marketing professionals.

Typically, a marketing MBA takes about one to two years of full-time study to complete. Courses are often available in a flexible online format to help busy working professionals advance their education.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Marketing Cost?

The cost of an MBA marketing online degree can vary depending on the school you attend. Generally, public schools charge lower rates than private schools, though this isn't always the case. Many schools charge several hundred to more than $1,000 per credit hour in tuition.

Among the schools featured in this article, tuition rates range from around $247 to $659 per credit hour, making them some of the most affordable options available. Many online learners pay the same rates regardless of their residency status and are often charged lower rates than on-campus students. There are also specfic scholarships for online students to cover costs.

Cheapest Marketing MBA Online Programs

If you have a bachelor's degree and are ready to start an affordable graduate program in marketing, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some top business schools offering cheap online marketing degrees for MBA students.

1. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University, a public historically Black university in North Carolina, offers a 36-credit MBA with a marketing concentration available online or in person, backed by accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program incorporates hands-on projects designed to build real-world marketing skills alongside core business coursework.

Fayetteville State has built a reputation specifically around affordability among AACSB-accredited programs, keeping in-state graduate tuition among the lowest in the country. That combination of accreditation and accessibility has made the marketing concentration a popular pick for students who want a recognized credential without a steep price tag.

2. University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a 33- to 42-credit online MBA with an emphasis in marketing through its AACSB-accredited College of Business, a distinction held by roughly 5% of business schools worldwide. Coursework covers marketing, sales, and analytics, with a strong emphasis on applying concepts to real-world business scenarios.

Courses run in an eight-week format, and a rolling admissions process lets students enroll whenever fits their schedule rather than waiting for a single annual intake. Motivated students can complete the degree in as few as four semesters while working full time.

3. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit institution based in Orange Beach, Alabama, offering a self-paced online MBA with a marketing concentration. The university's business programs carry accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Coursework includes both core business requirements and marketing-specific electives covering digital marketing, business-to-business marketing, and digital analytics. A generous transfer credit policy makes the program especially appealing to students who already hold graduate-level credit from another institution.

4. Emporia State University

Emporia State University's School of Business and Technology, AACSB-accredited and based in Emporia, Kansas, offers a 33-credit online MBA with a marketing concentration built for working professionals. The accelerated program runs in seven-week terms with six start dates throughout the year, giving applicants frequent opportunities to begin.

Core coursework in economics, finance, and accounting pairs with marketing-specific electives focused on marketing analytics and strategic decision-making. Full-time students can complete the degree in as little as 12 months.

5. Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University's Williamson College of Business Administration offers a 30-credit online MBA with a marketing concentration, backed by AACSB accreditation held by a relatively small share of business schools nationwide. The program blends core business fundamentals with marketing-focused coursework in a fully online format.

Multiple start dates throughout the year give students flexibility in when they begin, and motivated students can complete the degree in as little as 12 months. The marketing concentration draws on the same faculty and curriculum standards applied across Youngstown State's broader MBA program.

6. Lamar University

Lamar University, a public AACSB-accredited institution in Beaumont, Texas, offers a 30-credit online MBA with a marketing concentration that charges the same tuition rate to every student regardless of residency. Coursework emphasizes digital-age marketing skills alongside the broader business fundamentals covered in Lamar's core MBA curriculum.

The flexible online format is designed for working adults balancing the degree with existing career and family commitments. Most students complete the program in as little as 12 months.

7. Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University Shreveport, a separate AACSB-accredited institution from LSU's main Baton Rouge campus, offers an accelerated online MBA with a marketing concentration that students can complete in as few as 10 months. Coursework covers consumer behavior, product and services marketing, and international marketing alongside core business requirements in operations and finance.

GMAT and GRE waivers are available for applicants who meet specific academic or professional criteria, simplifying admission for many working professionals. LSU Shreveport's College of Business has held continuous AACSB accreditation for more than three decades.

8. National University

National University, a private nonprofit institution based in San Diego, offers an MBA with an emphasis in strategic marketing covering strategic marketing, digital marketing, and product management. The class-based format carries accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), while the university's individual-based MBA format is accredited separately by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Courses run in flexible eight-week sessions, and National University's year-round enrollment model lets students start nearly whenever fits their schedule. That flexibility has made the program a popular choice among working professionals who don't want to wait for a traditional semester start date.

9. Liberty University

Liberty University, a private Christian institution in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers an online MBA with a marketing specialization among its broad menu of concentration options. The program carries accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and students can transfer in up to half of the credits required for the degree.

Courses run in eight-week sessions with year-round enrollment, giving students consistent opportunities to begin. Liberty's large online student population includes a significant share of working professionals balancing the degree with full-time careers.

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers a 10-course online MBA with a marketing concentration, with each course running for ten weeks and no fixed class times required. The program carries accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Students set their own study schedule as long as they meet course deadlines, giving them meaningful flexibility to balance the program with work and other commitments. SNHU's marketing concentration draws on the same broad support infrastructure and faculty standards backing the university's other online MBA offerings.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

• Accreditation: All of the schools are institutionally accredited, and some of the business schools also maintain specialized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• Affordability: Each program features affordable tuition rates of under $700 per credit hour and provides financial aid opportunities.
• Program reputation: Each school of business is known for providing high-quality education to prepare students for real-world administrative and management positions.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What To Expect From an MBA in Marketing Online

Online MBA programs are typically designed for working professionals, with flexible or asynchronous coursework, multiple yearly start dates, and both full-time and part-time options. Many programs allow students to complete their entire degree online, with no in-person components.

Students complete core courses in fundamental business and advanced marketing topics. These topics may include business analytics, marketing strategies, understanding consumer behavior, and more.

Some full-time and accelerated online MBA programs can be completed in as little as 10 to 12 months; students enrolled part-time may take two to three years or longer to graduate. Common tuition rates range from $500 to $1,000 per credit hour, though many schools offer more affordable rates.

FAQs About Online MBA Marketing Programs

If you still have questions about returning to graduate school for an affordable marketing degree, you're not alone. Keep reading as we provide answers to some questions you may be wondering about.

Is an MBA in Marketing Worth It?

Depending on your career goals, getting an MBA in marketing can be well worth the time and money spent. Marketing professionals are in demand and are often paid well for their expertise. What's more, earning an MBA degree gives you the necessary credentials to pursue numerous career opportunities in business so you aren't just limited to marketing.

What Jobs Can I Get With an MBA in Marketing?

There are many MBA marketing jobs you can pursue. Some specific job titles to consider include:

• marketing manager
• brand manager
• social media manager
• sales manager
• market research analyst

How Much Can I Earn With a Marketing MBA?

Salaries can vary widely depending on factors like location, experience, education, and the company you work for. That said, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average MBA marketing salary for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is $159,660 per year and $76.76 per hour.

Are Marketing MBA Programs Good for Digital Marketing Careers?

Yes, an MBA in marketing can help you pursue various careers, including those in digital marketing. It provides advanced credentials and training that can prepare you to work as a manager or administrator in a digital marketing setting.

Discover Online MBA Programs

If you're ready to boost your business and marketing skill set, reach out to the schools here on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools directly for more information on admission requirements and to find the right marketing MBA program for you.