For professionals looking to elevate their careers, few graduate degrees offer the versatility, salary potential and leadership preparation of a Master of Business Administration. MBAs with concentration or specialization options can offer even more opportunity, allowing you to adapt your coursework to your career.
For current and aspiring marketing leaders, an MBA with a concentration in marketing can be greatly beneficial for career advancement. Whether you’re transitioning from a creative role, moving up from a business analyst position or pivoting from an entirely different industry, an online MBA in Marketing can provide the strategic edge you need to grow your skills, lead effective teams and increase your earning potential.
What Is an MBA in Marketing?
An MBA in Marketing blends essential business fundamentals such as finance, leadership, strategy and operations with targeted marketing coursework. Students explore:
- Consumer behavior
- Digital marketing
- Brand strategy
- Market research
- Marketing analytics
This field of study is designed to help professionals develop integrated marketing strategies that leverage customer insights and drive success across platforms and industries. It’s ideal for those looking to make informed, data-backed decisions that directly impact organizational growth.
What Classes Define a Marketing-Focused MBA?
Core MBA in Marketing courses ensure students develop business fundamentals, while electives allow for deep dives into specialized areas of marketing. Typical coursework for an MBA in Marketing program includes:
Core Courses
- Strategic Management
- Financial Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Organizational Leadership
Marketing Electives
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Consumer Behavior
- Marketing Analytics
- Brand Management
- Marketing Research
These classes equip you with a comprehensive toolkit that blends creative vision with operational insight.
Master’s in Marketing vs. MBA in Marketing
While both degrees offer valuable skill sets, the MBA in Marketing provides broader business training and leadership readiness, specifically tailored for marketing leadership. A master’s in marketing is highly specialized, often suited for early-career professionals focused solely on marketing functions.
| Degree | Salary Outlook | Career Path | Business Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA in Marketing | Higher long-term earning potential | Executive leadership, strategy roles | Strong across finance, ops, leadership |
| MS in Marketing | Competitive early-career salaries | Specialized roles (e.g., digital marketing specialist) | Primarily marketing-focused |
How an MBA in Marketing Impacts Salary
Earning an MBA with a marketing concentration can unlock significant salary increases and upward mobility, especially for professionals with several years of experience.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports that marketing managers earn a median salary of $161,030 annually, with the top 10% earning more than $239,200. These roles are typically reserved for candidates with the advanced education and demonstrated leadership that an MBA provides. Lightcast labor market data shows high demand for marketing leaders that have strong analytical and cross-functional business skills.
MBA in Marketing Careers
An MBA prepares professionals for leadership across various industries, from tech and healthcare to retail and finance. Below are some high-growth, high-salary roles that MBA graduates with a marketing concentration commonly pursue.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Marketing Director | $110,500 |
| Product Marketing Manager | $135,000 |
| Chief Marketing Officer | $209,800 |
| Director of Public Relations | $125,200 |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,100 |
Source: Lightcast
Marketing Director
Median Annual Salary: $110,500 (Lightcast)
Marketing directors lead teams, oversee campaign strategy and report directly to executive leadership. They are broadly responsible for the day-to-day management of the marketing team at an organization. The MBA provides the strategic mindset and leadership experience needed to thrive in this role.
Product Marketing Manager
Median Annual Salary: $135,000 (Lightcast)
These managers drive go-to-market strategies, product launches and customer positioning. Product marketing managers need both the marketing prowess and the cross-functional collaboration skills that are taught in MBA programs.
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Median Annual Salary: $209,800 (Lightcast)
CMOs sit at the executive table, shaping brand strategy, overseeing budgets that can climb into the multimillions and aligning marketing with company-wide goals. An MBA is often a minimum requirement for C-suite roles, and an MBA in Marketing offers the dual packages that CMOs need.
Director of Public Relations
Median Annual Salary: $125,200 (Lightcast)
Marketing experts in this position direct communication strategy and manage responses to challenges and crises while shaping brand perception across channels. MBAs train you in strategy, communication and leadership, which are essential for this level of responsibility.
Market Research Analyst
Median Annual Salary: $73,100 (Lightcast)
Market research analysts conduct data analysis that helps organizations forecast trends and leverage customer insights. While this is not a direct leadership position, an MBA can help analysts take on more strategic, management-level projects.
Why Should You Consider an Online MBA in Marketing?
If you want to advance your career while continuing to work, an online MBA with a marketing concentration offers a flexible, powerful path forward.
Whether you’re coming from a creative role, a technical discipline or you’re already in the business world, the degree helps you:
- Build business fluency that complements your growing marketing expertise
- Develop leadership skills that prepare you for executive roles
- Enhance your marketability in a competitive, evolving job landscape
- Become more confident, competent and credible to lead in an increasingly data-driven business world
An MBA is a strategic investment in long-term career success, and professionals with an MBA in Marketing will be in demand and well-compensated for their skills. Choosing this degree can provide the strategic, analytical, and leadership skills needed to excel.
Pursuing an MBA either online or in person is one of the best ways for mid-career professionals to enhance their career prospects. If you have a non-business degree and are seeking a career change, the MBA will fill skill gaps and open new opportunities.
Online programs like Tulane’s Online MBA are designed with working professionals in mind. The program offers on-demand coursework, robust career support and strong networking opportunities with peers averaging 4–9 years of experience.
— Ashley Francis, Assistant Dean for the Stewart Center for Professional and Executive Education
About the Online MBA at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University
The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University offers an AACSB-accredited Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other MBA options based in Louisiana. The Online MBA program builds core competencies in accounting, data analytics, finance, marketing and operations, and also allows for in-depth exploration in your areas of interest. While a concentration is not required as part of the 46 required credits, you may pursue up to two of the following: Business Analytics, Finance or Marketing.
The program is designed to meet the needs of professionals from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Regardless of your desired concentration or industry, you’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of business and managerial concepts and the practical skills to make informed business decisions and lead in your organization.
In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Freeman climbed 19 spots among the nation’s top MBA programs. This is one of the biggest year-over-year changes among ranked programs and reflects Freeman’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation in business education. The momentum continued with the school moving up an additional eight spots in 2025 to No. 54.
Download a program brochure or start your application for the Online Master of Business Administration.
Get the Online MBA Program Brochure
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Online Master of Business Administration offered by the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 504-226-8311.