Finding the best affordable college for a marketing degree can be a challenging task. The changing nature of human relationships with people and entities that they interact with has made marketing a specialized field. More than ever, employers need professionals with an undergraduate degree. With so many students interested in finding an inexpensive degree in the marketing the staff at Affordable Schools put together this ranking to help find the best cost-effective colleges for a marketing degree.
Students always have a concern about tuition; this is to be expected because, in the United States, tuition rates vary widely based on the institution. But students need a reliable, high-value marketing degree that is affordable while also providing them with the skills necessary to become high-level professionals in the marketing industry. This ranking of the top 15 schools that are both inexpensive and high-quality is a great place for students to begin their research for the school that may be the right fit for them.
Methodology
All rankings begin with some research. This one began as a general search for colleges and universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in marketing. We consulted the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator database to identify the schools and then modified our search to only show schools with tuition of $15,000 a year or less.
Each school on this list has unique aspects that will make it a great fit for students. However, the two most important factors we used for this ranking were tuition and student: faculty ratio. Schools were assigned points based on the information we gathered from NCES. Affordable tuition is key to our ranking, as is the student: Faculty ratio usually means smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from professors. Here is how the points broke down:
Tuition for one year – based on 15 hours per semester:
Under $7,500 – 3 Points
$7,500 – $15,000 – 2 Points
$15,001 and above – 1 Point
Student to faculty ratio:
10:1 or less – 3 Points
11:1 to 15:1 – 2 Points
Greater than 15:1 – 1 Point
The final 15 schools were chosen based on the total points accumulated in the research process. They are listed below in descending order.
Ranking 15 Best Affordable Marketing Degree Programs (Bachelor’s) 2019
15. Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
Total Points: 3
Program Website
Youngstown State University offers an affordable marketing degree that’s perfect for business-minded students. This 120-credit hour Bachelor’s in Marketing degree is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It has two tracks: marketing management and sales management. This economical marketing degree program focuses on the relationship between marketing and business. It’s a good choice for students interested in the cross-disciplinary feel of the industry. With professional opportunities and small class sizes available, this is a great degree for students interested in working in the private sector. The marketing bachelor’s degree is also a great low-cost alternative for students interested in majoring in business but with a focus on marketing.
Tuition
In-State: $8,967
Out-of-State: $9,327
Student: Faculty Ratio: 17:1
14. Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, Minnesota
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Southwest Minnesota State University is one of the most affordable colleges for a marketing degree. Students can choose the low-cost Bachelor of Science in Marketing or the Bachelor of Applied Science in Marketing. Both are 120-credit hour programs that will help students prepare for their careers. Both inexpensive marketing degree programs give students access to the Global Studies Program, known as ENACTUS and SIGMA. Students can also take part in a variety of clubs and organizations on campus, such as the SMSU American Marketing Association Collegiate and the Graphic Design Club.
Tuition
In-State: $8,612
Out-of-State: $8,612
Student: Faculty Ratio: 14:1
13. Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Shawnee State University offers an affordable BS in Business in Marketing. This top-value degree focuses on the in-depth aspects of marketing from a business perspective. The degree is fully accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, an internationally respected professional organization. This program provides a variety of business and marketing courses enabling students understand the relationship between the two fields. Courses range from Entrepreneurial Marketing to Principles of Microeconomics. Students will be in a great position to work in the field after graduation. Small class sizes, a well-respected faculty and low tuition make this a well-rounded degree. Students are prepared to continue on to graduate studies or move into the workforce after graduation.
Tuition
In-State: $8,556
Out-of-State: $14,714
Student: Faculty Ratio: 15:1
12. Granite State College
Concord, New Hampshire
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Granite State College offers an affordable online marketing degree which is a fantastic choice for students who are interested in distance learning. The inexpensive BS in Marketing is explores topics such as:
- global markets
- social media
- branding
- consumer behavior
These courses give student a well-rounded education in the field and prepare them for the workforce. This low-cost school is routinely ranked by U.S. News and World Report, and is known for its outstanding staff and faculty. It also has a generous transfer policy. Students are well supported and will have no trouble finding a schedule that fits their needs.
Tuition
In-State: $7,761
Out-of-State: $8,745
Student: Faculty Ratio: 11:1
11. Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Northeastern State University is one of the most affordable colleges for marketing degrees. This school has several options for transfer students. The Bachelor Business Administration in Marketing is 120-credit hour economical marketing degree program. It’s available at two campuses in the state and provides students with the general knowledge necessary to become experts in the field. This low cost marketing degree is perfect Business to Business, where marketers work with entities rather than the general public. With low-cost tuition and a dedication to preparing the next generation of marketers, this school is definitely one that students should check out.
Tuition
In-State: $6,650
Out-of-State: $14,720
Student: Faculty Ratio: 19:1
10. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Odessa, Texas
Total Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable marketing degree at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is for students interested in the relationship between marketing and business. The school offers a low-cost Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing. It help business-minded students understand marketing from a private sector perspective. This 120-credit hour economical marketing degree is comprehensive and rigorous. It prepares students for the challenges in the profession.
Tuition
In-State: $6,260
Out-of-State: $7,100
Student: Faculty Ratio: 20:1
9. Harris-Stowe State University
St. Louis, Missouri
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Harris-Stowe State University offers a BS in Marketing, a general degree. It will help prepare students to find a position in a number of industries seeking qualified professionals in the field. This low-cost marketing degree is a 120-credit hour program prepares students for the business demands that accompany a marketing career, including courses in:
- Business Computing and Applications
- the Legal Environment of Business
- Retail Management
With this affordable marketing degree in hand, students will be prepared challenges profession. Students also get expert advice from practicing professionals.
Tuition
In-State: $5,388
Out-of-State: $10,020
Student: Faculty Ratio: 16:1
8. The University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Students interested in the Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing degree should take a close look at the University of North Georgia. This school offers an affordable degree in marketing. The program gives students the skills needed to be professionals in the field. Additionally, students can choose from three concentrations:
- digital marketing
- general marketing
- professional sales
The program is a great choice for students as they can choose a specialization, something that is quite hard to come by in a cost-effective program. This marketing degree program is also fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, making it a viable option for students who are interested in graduate work.
Tuition
In-State: $4,692
Out-of-State: $13,514
Student: Faculty Ratio: 19:1
7. Dalton State College
Dalton, Georgia
Total Points: 4
Program Website
Dalton State College offers the affordable Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. The program that will suit business-minded students quite well. This marketing degree program is 122-credit hours. The helps prepare students who want to work in the business sector o the marketing profession. It can prepare students to find work after graduation or can be used as a stepping stone to graduate work. Students are supported by:
- small class sizes
- affordable tuition
- a dedicated staff
Practicing professionals on the faculty provide students with support to successfully complete the program. Courses range from Consumer Behavior to Integrated Brand Promotion. Students can move seamlessly from both online to traditional forms of marketing.
Tuition
In-State: $4,246
Out-of-State: $12,668
Student: Faculty Ratio: 21:1
6. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Total Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable marketing degree at Western Carolina University is for marketing majors who wish to work in sales and marketing. The school’s 120-credit hour affordable Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing focuses on sales, a unique specialization in the profession. Students in the Sales and Marketing program will learn the relationship between business, sales, and marketing. It provides students with a perspective that’s unparalleled and enables them to move up faster than their colleagues. The program has strong support faculty and staff, as well as small class sizes. Students in this degree will be able to meet the demands of the industry straight after graduation.
Tuition
In-State: $3,926
Out-of-State: $7,926
Student: Faculty Ratio: 17:1
5. Crowley’s Ridge College
Paragould, Arkansas
Total Points: 5
Program Website
Crowley’s Ridge College is a biblically-centered college that offers an inexpensive BS in Marketing. This school has a service-oriented view of the field. This helps students keep their ethics and morals at the forefront of their career while understanding how marketing can affect all markets. This high-value degree is a 120-credit hour program that can be completed in four years. It’s a comprehensive program with a variety of directed electives that will enable students to choose subjects that interest them. This results in a degree that’s in line with their career goals. With small class sizes, this is a program that spiritual students will definitely want to take a closer look at.
Tuition
In-State: $13,600
Out-of-State: $13,600
Student: Faculty Ratio: 10:1
4. Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, Ohio
Total Points: 5
Program Website
The high-value economical marketing degree is available at Wilberforce University. It’s for students who are ready to make a difference in marketing, whether that’s in the public or private sector. The school’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing is a four year, 120-credit hour program. It provides students with all of the information needed to become experts in the field. The program has a strong dedication to experiential learning, small class sizes and a supportive faculty and staff. Students will be prepared to become strong and moral professionals in the field.
Tuition
In-State: $13,250
Out-of-State: $13,250
Student: Faculty Ratio: 9:1
3. Delta State University
Cleveland, Mississippi
Total Points: 5
Program Website
Delta State University offers an affordable Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. This top-value degree is focused on how marketing affects and can change, the business field. This 120-credit hour program gives students the foundational understanding needed to take on entry-level positions after graduation or move into graduate work. It’s a flexible degree that will help all students meet their career goals. It has small class sizes, a faculty populated with experts, and low tuition that is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. It’s a good choice for students interested in a low cost, quality education.
Tuition
In-State: $7,246
Out-of-State: $7,246
Student: Faculty Ratio: 13:1
2. Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota
Total Points: 5
Program Website
Minot State University offers the best-value Bachelor of Science in marketing. It’s a 120-credit hour program and ranks as one of our most affordable colleges for a marketing degree. This is a general marketing degree. It’s aimed at pre-service and early-service professionals who are interested in entry-level and mid-level positions in all industries. Students will find a variety of business and marketing courses required for graduation. These include:
- International Business
- Corporate Finance
- Marketing Strategy
Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce or continue on to earn a graduate business or marketing degree program.
Tuition
In-State: $7,064
Out-of-State: $7,064
Student: Faculty Ratio: 12:1
1. Western New Mexico State University
Silver City, New Mexico
Total Points: 5
Program Website
Western New Mexico State University tops this list of the best affordable colleges for marketing degrees. This school’s economical Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing has:
- a solid curriculum
- co-curricular activities
- a strong foundation in experiential learning
This is a 131-credit hour program. It’s rigorous and comprehensive. It prepares students to work in a variety of industries as marketing professionals. Once this low-cost marketing degree has been completed, graduates can enter the workforce or begin graduate study. The program has a low tuition and a strong dedication to individualized attention. Graduates will be prepared for a variety of career paths in the marketing field.
Tuition
In-State: $6,066
Out-of-State: $13,539
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What Careers are Available For Low-Cost Marketing Degree Graduates?
Marketing is a field that has positions in every industry, meaning that graduates will have the option to have careers in different fields. While some of these may require additional training or professional experience, these careers all start with a Bachelor’s in Marketing degree. Here are some of the careers that an undergraduate marketing degree can provide for students:
-
- Account Executive
- Event and Meeting Planner
- Social Media Manager
- Advertising Accounting Planner
- Market Research Analyst
- Public Relations Account Executive
- Sales Promotion Account Executive
- Publishing Rights Manager
- Marketing Assistant
- Web Content Manager
- Public Relations Officer
- Public Relations Representative
- Corporate Office Administrator
- Market Research Analyst
What is the Salary Potential With an Affordable Marketing Degree?
The current average salary for a marketing professional is $65,000 to $67,400. This is in reference to entry-level and mid-level jobs that can be held with a bachelor’s degree. The addition of a master’s degree can increase the median salary to $90,000, although this depends on the position as well as the city and field where the marketing professional is employed. Marketing career salaries are directly proportional to the field that they are in, with business and technology sectors providing the highest wages. However, high-paying careers can be found in other sectors, such as:
- healthcare
- tourism
- entertainment
The field depends on the student’s specialization and expertise.
Graduates in this field can also choose to work as freelancers, which has its own pay schedule. Students who opt for this field tend to be paid per project or on a commission basis. Working as a freelancer provides professionals with the chance to become independent workers. This gives them the opportunity to travel as digital nomads. This can significantly lower their cost of living while giving them the chance to travel.
What are the Various Disciplines of Marketing?
Marketing is the broad field of how the general public, or a specific audience, interact with an industry, company, or public figure. It affects every single industry and is hard to pin down. Marketing happens from social media feeds to newspapers to even journalism. However, the main disciplines of marketing are:
- business
- economics
- digital media
- narrative media
- psychology
- politics
- law
Marketing also has several sub-disciplines, with the most common being:
- business marketing
- retail marketing
- digital marketing
The digital marketing field is the most interesting to employers as technology is changing the way that most consumers interact with companies and products. The introduction of AR and VR has changed the beauty landscape significantly in the last few years, making it difficult to quantify the impact that technology has in the space.
Marketing has a large say in digital companies. These are companies that primarily or wholly do business online without brick-and-mortar stores. This is known as the business to consumer model or B2C. Marketers are in high-demand in these scenarios.
Marketing is best understood as the relationship between an entity, government or public figure and their audience or the general public. The different needs of these relationships can change based on the situation or industry. It is more important than ever to find professionals who truly understand the qualities of the relationships they are trying to build. Attending one of the best affordable colleges for marketing degrees will lay the groundwork in an economical way to start building a career in the field.
AS Staff
This concludes our ranking of the 15 Best Affordable Colleges for a Marketing Degree (Bachelor’s).
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