Is Marketing a Good Major in 2024?

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Is marketing a good major? A degree in marketing can help develop your creative-thinking skills, teach you to gather and analyze data, and prepare you for an exciting job in marketing, advertising, sales, or public relations.

Is Marketing a Good Major in 2021

After graduation, you could pursue a job in the fast-growing world of market research or put your skills to work in a sales position.

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Pairing a marketing degree with professional experience may position you as a prime candidate for a leadership or management role in an organization’s marketing department.

Is Marketing a Good Major?

Marketing Manager meeting with staff

Yes, marketing is a good major for many undergraduate students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Common marketing careers in this field include market research analyst, marketing manager, writer, advertising manager, and sales manager. Studying marketing in school can introduce you to topics like consumer behavior, market research, and branding strategies.

You may be able to use these skills to help organizations tailor their services, recruit new customers, build brand loyalty, and increase their income. You may pursue a job as a marketing specialist or a market research analyst. From there, you may have a chance to move into a marketing management role.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers earn, on average, over $70,000 more each year than market research specialists.

In a marketing major, you’ll probably take a variety of other business courses as well. Combined with your marketing expertise, these classes might help you become an advertising, public relations, fundraising, or sales specialist or manager.

With training and experience, you may even qualify for one of the highest leadership roles in your organization.

5 Things You Can Do with a Marketing Degree

Advertising Managers planning for a project

Your knowledge of business, behavioral science, research, persuasion, and marketing tools can help you succeed in a marketing job or a related position. You may start in an entry-level position and work your way toward management.

1. Advertising Manager

Advertising is a specific discipline within the larger field of marketing, and a number of universities offer both on-campus and online advertising degree programs as a specific major. If you are interested in promotions, advertising campaigns, or ad sales, this could be a good line of work for you.

After starting as an advertising sales representative or an advertising assistant, you might be ready for a management job. You may oversee teams of advertising specialists, head up creative ad campaigns, or handle client accounts.

2. Marketing Manager

Marketing Manager meeting with team

Advertising and marketing have a lot in common, but marketing professionals are often responsible for analyzing consumer desires and crafting products and services to satisfy those wants.

As a marketing manager, you might be in charge of a team that researches consumer trends, buyer demographics, or potential products. Your responsibilities could include developing pricing structures that maximize profits while also enticing customers to make purchases.

3. Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analyst working on his computer

You may get your start in the marketing field as a market research analyst. Taking classes on data and analytics during your college program can help set you up for success in this role.

As a market research analyst, you could study consumer trends and conduct surveys to gather data from potential customers. You may evaluate that data to make recommendations about what products to develop, where to market them, and how to price them.

4. Sales Manager

Sales Manager talking to clients

Your understanding of consumer behavior could help you be an excellent salesperson. Some salespeople sell directly to consumers, and others sell to business customers. As you gain experience, you may move through the ranks and become a sales manager.

In a management role, you might oversee salespeople and encourage their best work. Your responsibilities might also include developing promotions, determining pricing structures, and increasing your organization’s customer base.

5. Writer

The written word can be a powerful tool for attracting customers or building a brand. As a marketing professional, you could specialize in developing blog posts, email blasts, or media releases to promote your organization.

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Marketing writers are often known as copywriters. In this role, you could provide written content for one particular employer, or you could be a freelancer who completes projects for a variety of clients.

Marketing Major Careers

Marketing Major Careers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts and marketing specialists earn an average annual salary of $65,810. Jobs for those roles are expected to grow at an 18% rate through the next decade.

Here are additional avenues you may pursue with a marketing degree:

Careers Annual Median Salaries
Marketing Managers $142,170
Advertising and Promotions Managers $133,460
Sales Managers $132,290
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers $118,430
Top Executives $107,680
Writers and Authors $67,120
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $65,810
Public Relations Specialists $62,810
Fundraisers $59,610
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners $51,560

Since marketing services can benefit a variety of businesses and organizations, a marketing degree could lead to work in many different industries.

What Is a Marketing Degree?

Marketing Manager working at home

Marketing is a business discipline that addresses customer behavior, demographic analysis, brand promotion, and engaging communication. In a marketing program, you’ll learn to conduct detailed data analysis while also developing your creative thinking skills.

In a marketing program, you’ll take marketing-specific classes that cover topics such as on online marketing and international marketing techniques. You’ll also study general business topics.

This field of study may prepare you for jobs in marketing, advertising, sales, and promotions. You could pursue work as a data specialist who analyzes consumer trends, or you could lean toward the creative side as you come up with new product or advertising ideas.

Is Marketing a Good Degree?

Marketing team collaborating during the meeting

You may enjoy marketing studies if you’re interested in having a job with opportunities for both logical data analysis and creative brainstorming.

The field of marketing is growing, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for market research analysts will increase by 18% over the next decade. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that marketing managers earn an average of more than $100,000 each year.

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In addition to marketing positions, this degree can lead to a variety of other business jobs, including roles in sales, advertising, and promotions. So, a degree in marketing could be one of the most useful degrees for you.

What Does a Marketing Major Do?

Market research analysts working in the office

Marketing majors study ways to engage consumers and turn them into customers. Your classes may cover behavior science, communication, and business.

This is a dynamic field, and the techniques that marketers use change regularly. In a marketing program, you’ll learn about current trends, such as social media advertising, and you’ll also gain skills that can help you keep up with future marketing developments.

After completing your program, you may work in an organization’s marketing department as a specialist, a copywriter, or a research analyst. You may also get a job in public relations, event coordination, or fundraising.

How Much Do Marketing Majors Make?

Marketing Managers cheering after a meeting

Your marketing major salary will depend on the type of job you hold. Typically, managers earn more than employees who aren’t in supervisory positions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts and marketing specialists earn an average annual salary of $65,810. You may be qualified for these positions shortly after graduating with your bachelors in marketing.

After you gain experience, taking a management role might be the next logical step in your career. Your management salary might be comparable to the national average for marketing managers, which is $142,170 per year.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Marketing Degree?

marketing specialist working in the office

If you’ve majored in marketing, you could become a market research analyst, a marketing specialist, or an advertising sales representative. Once you’ve done those jobs for a while, you might apply for a position as a marketing or advertising manager.

Some job opportunities for marketing majors don’t have “marketing” in the title. For example, your training could help you become a skilled copywriter or an engaging social media director.

You may be a fundraiser who persuades donors to join your cause or a convention planner who attracts organizations to your venue.

What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree?

market research analyst working in the office

Since marketing degree jobs are available in many industries, this major can lead to a variety of opportunities.

Most organizations, including small businesses, corporations, and nonprofit agencies, need professionals who can analyze their customer base, provide pricing recommendations, and promote the brand.

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You may begin your marketing career as a market research analyst. Other roles that you may qualify for shortly after finishing college include copywriter, advertising sales representative, marketing specialist, fundraiser, and event planner.

If your goal is to become a manager, there may be a role for you in marketing, advertising, sales, or promotions management or executive leadership once you’ve gained experience.

Is a Marketing Degree Worth It?

Marketing team in a meeting

Yes, a marketing degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth in management occupations for the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Common marketing careers in this field include marketing specialist, promotions manager, advertising manager, event planner, and public relations specialist.

As a marketing student, you may gain skills that can help you succeed in roles related to consumer research, advertising, social media outreach, or event planning. Your business marketing savvy might also give you an advantage in a public relations or sales job.

Getting Your Marketing Degree Online

Getting Your Marketing Degree Online

With an online degree in marketing, you may enter this exciting field of creative thinking, data analysis, and business leadership.

You’ll learn about conducting surveys, performing data analytics, understanding consumer behavior, developing ad campaigns, and pricing products. Earning an online marketing degree from an accredited school may set you up for success as a marketing specialist, a marketing manager, or a market research analyst.

With online learning, you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to start your degree. You may even start exploring online marketing programs today to find the one that’s right for you.

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Jordan Meeks
WRITTEN BY
Jordan is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and earned her Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management and her Bachelor's in Business Administration. Jordan's research focuses on adults returning to college and online degree programs.