Digital Marketing Master’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Digital marketing involves using one or more digital mediums to create awareness and educate individuals about a product or service. Social media marketing is also part of digital marketing because most contemporary marketing efforts take place on social media platforms.

This result-oriented marketing strategy takes advantage of the interests of its targeted audience. It uses marketing analytics and marketing campaigns to conduct comprehensive research. This research is used to find information about prospective clients and customers to promote products that suit their interests.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is the process of creating digital awareness about a product or service through online and social platforms. These messages generate interest through digital marketing strategies.

This concentration of marketing promotes products or services to the prospective user through tools and models that facilitate easy contact with the sole purpose of making a sale. Digital marketing is rapidly growing in popularity due to the increase of businesses using social and digital media.

What Is a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree?

A digital marketing master’s degree helps students efficiently connect the creative aspects of digital marketing with practical technicalities in the field. A digital marketing program will teach you how to use major marketing analytics and marketing campaign tools such as google analytics, email marketing, and social media marketing.

You’ll become an expert at designing effective marketing strategies that stimulate interest and entice action. You’ll gain the hands-on experience necessary to transform a cold lead into a dedicated repeat customer. It will expose you to the secrets of effective content marketing and integrated marketing communications.

Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Requirements

To qualify for this degree, you need an undergraduate degree, preferably in business management or marketing. You need to be willing to think creatively, intuitively, and analytically. Skills in business communication, critical thinking, and market analysis will help you easily articulate consumer behavior and define marketing objectives.

A Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing usually takes one to two years to complete. You also have the option of applying to a full-time or part-time degree program.

How Much Does a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Cost?

A digital marketing master’s degree costs between $9,000 and $30,000 for an on-campus or online program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2016 to 2017 period, the average cost of tuition for a

master’s program is $18,416

. The average cost of a master’s program at a private institution is $24,712. A public school costs $11,617.

Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Digital Marketing Degree

Paying for

college can be expensive

. You can fund your digital marketing master’s degree through loans or scholarship programs. The 2015 to 2016 data from NCES shows that a large number of graduate students use some form of financial aid when

paying for their master’s program

.

Best Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Digital Marketing: Top Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Programs

These digital marketing degree programs contain core courses broad enough to encompass the scope and diversity of a digital marketing master’s degree.

Master of Science in Digital Media | Bellarmine University

The Master’s Degree in Digital Media offered at Bellarmine University exposes students to the dynamic world of digital communication by teaching them the innovative tools and modern concepts used in business. Students in this program take core courses like media studies and ethical issues in communication.

Master of Science in Strategic Marketing | Bellevue University

This program prepares students to face business challenges. They’ll learn to compile and analyze complex market data for business decision-making. This is especially important for determining market demands, market opportunities, and structuring digital marketing and advertising campaigns.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing | Concordia College of New York

This advanced degree program enables students to achieve their career aspirations by expanding their horizons in the digital marketing industry. Students learn how to use technological and digital media to design promotional campaigns across digital channels to achieve substantial business outcomes.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing | Full Sail University

This advanced degree teaches graduate students to capitalize on multi-channel marketing strategies. Students learn about search engine optimization (SEO) and how to use it to achieve marketing goals. They also learn to construct and implement marketing strategies like affiliate marketing and social media marketing.

Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communication | Georgetown University

This master’s program equips students with skills in strategy and creativity. It ensures they can apply their conceptual knowledge of marketing communication, advertising, personal selling, social media, and word-of-mouth to develop actionable strategies and solve real-world projects.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Specialization

| New York University, Stern

The master’s program at New York University equips students with the analytical and strategic skills needed to capitalize on advancements in digitization, the internet, and social networking. Graduate students are taught courses such as advertising management, media marketing, digital marketing, social media for brand management, and web design.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Strategy Concentration | University of Connecticut

This advanced degree in digital marketing strategy prepares graduate students for executive careers in the business and technological industries. Students participate in real-life cases, competitions, internships, and projects as part of the academic requirements. They learn to analyze consumer behavior and take advantage of market opportunities.

Master of Science in Digital Social Media | University of Southern California, Annenberg

Through this graduate program, students gain the skills, mindset, and knowledge necessary to identify, analyze, and devise marketing strategies for social media platforms and digital media. This STEM-designated degree program will equip you with the skills to drive positive changes in business and communication.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Specialization | University of South Florida

This industry-focused degree program trains both part-time and full-time students on how to design effective digital marketing plans including social media and SEO strategies and campaigns. Students learn topics in consumer behavior theory, promotional management, and data mining as part of their credit requirements.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Media | Yeshiva University

This is a flexible program that accommodates different classes of students, including international students. The faculty at Yeshiva encourages automatic scholarship applications and focuses on industry-led laboratory projects. Core classes for this program include marketing analytics, digital and social strategies, and creating effective online campaigns.

Best Online Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Digital Marketing: Top Online Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Programs

Below is the list of advanced online courses in digital marketing whose concentration courses educate online students on the procedures involved in drafting an actionable digital strategy.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing | Aurora University

The online Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing offered by Aurora University combines coursework on digital strategy and graphic design. Graduate students in this program develop an in-depth understanding of brand communication in design and marketing aspects. They learn topics like marketing management and media strategy.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Design | Brandeis University

This online Master of Science in Digital Marketing combines both the technical and creative aspects of designing marketing campaigns. Students learn how to use search engines, social media, and emails to market products and services. They also learn how to synchronize fields such as public relations, graphic design, product management, and communications.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Specialization | Concordia University, Chicago

As part of this online degree program, students hone their skills in market analysis and strategy to create effective campaigns for an online audience. They learn how to leverage data to achieve marketing objectives. Students learn the different marketing channels and how to use them when conducting digital business.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Concentration | Fort Hays State University

The online program offered by Fort Hays State University provides students with the chance to specialize in digital marketing. They can take courses on topics like integrated marketing communications, strategic electronic marketing, social media content and analytics, and social media marketing.

Master of Science in Marketing Research | Michigan State University

This online master’s degree prepares students for successful roles in the market research industry. They’ll gain technical skills in data collection, sampling, and experimental design and analysis. They participate in real-world consulting, publication, and market research projects as part of their course curriculum.

Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Concentration | Montclair State University

The online program offered by Montclair State University equips students with the knowledge needed to expertly combine their business knowledge and creativity to achieve results in the digital advertising space. This degree ensures that they have the skills needed to land high-paying jobs in the industry.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing | Northern Illinois University

This online Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing combines foundational and featured knowledge. Students take courses on topics such as marketing analytics, social media marketing, content marketing, database marketing, mobile marketing, email marketing, and marketing research.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing | Rutgers University

This program provides in-depth knowledge of industry trends and practices. Students study a fundamental marketing curriculum that covers analytics, consumer behavior, marketing research, digital marketing laws, ethics, and law. Some of the electives include digital innovation in marketing and digital advertising and promotion.

Master of Mass Communication, Digital Strategy Concentration | University of Florida

The online program in digital marketing and strategy is an excellent option if you’re interested in a career as a digital marketer, promotional manager, specializing in lead generation, social media strategy, media engagement, and customer conversion. You’ll learn through hands-on assignments and flexible online classes.

Master of Science in Digital Marketing Communications | West Virginia University

The online graduate program in digital marketing communication offered by West Virginia University covers skills in SEO, display marketing, marketing automation, social media marketing, content marketing, and analytics. You’ll learn to use analytics in deciphering individual social media patterns and the purpose of the media in marketing communication.

What’s the Average Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Salary?

According to PayScale, the average salary for professionals with a

Master’s Degree in Marketing is $101,000

. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the

median salary is $133,460

for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers.

Top Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Digital Marketing Master’s Degree Jobs Explained

This field helps you apply the basics of business strategy to your advantage. The digital marketing skills gained through an advanced degree in digital marketing will enable you to land your dream job.

Sales Manager

Sales managers coordinate the efforts of a sales team to ensure the company’s products and services get to the target market. They develop sales strategies that enable them to promote the product and services to their clients.

Public Relations Manager

Public relations managers serve as intermediaries between a business and its customers. They coordinate the external affairs of the business as regards their public image and perception. They provide management with valuable insights on how the public views their service offering and design promotional campaigns to boost the business image.

Advertising Copywriter

These professionals write sales copy for online marketing and digital advertising across several channels and platforms. They aim to create a purchase response from clients. They need to have strong persuasion and creative writing skills.

Business Analyst

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $82,343
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  740,900**
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, New Jersey, Delaware**

Business analysts employ their numeracy and analytical skills to conduct business research. They gather information on a business’s performance by comparing present performance with records to determine the solvency and long-term growth potential of the business. The business analyst generates the business strategy to solve the issues identified.

Digital Marketing Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $71,914
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  10%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado*

Digital marketing managers develop and promote effective digital marketing communication strategies across multiple social media platforms and devices. They engage in both mobile marketing and web marketing to generate sales traffic.

SEO Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $69,499
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  10%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado*

These professionals drive sales and attention towards a particular product, platform, or idea through search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). SEO managers deploy the technical services of tools like Google analytics to process market data on consumer behavior and marketing mediums. These include email, affiliate marketing, and google ads.

Content Marketing Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $68,151
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  10%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado*

Content marketing managers are in charge of digital storytelling. They develop strategic communication campaigns to sell a particular idea, product, or service. They use a blend of content writing and social marketing because their strategies are built around educating the consumer on why the product is a necessity.

Marketing Research Analyst

Marketing research analysts are professionals who conduct market research to gather useful insight into the behavior of customers towards a particular product or company. They use this research to provide useful advice and strategies to businesses to facilitate effective business decisions.

Account Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $51,057
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  10%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado*

These professionals manage client accounts for their employers. They perform customer relationship management functions to ensure continued patronage and service satisfaction. Their job requires them to monitor clients’ sales patterns and make suggestions when necessary.

Social Media Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $50,088
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  10%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado*

These professionals perform social marketing and online media page management for clients. They update profiles using graphic designing, content writing, and digital messaging to keep the prospective customer base updated with the latest trends.

*Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

**Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Research Analysts

Digital Marketing Bootcamp vs Digital Marketing Master’s Degree: Which Is Better?

Deciding on which educational pathway is right for you depends on several factors, such as the length of the program, cost, and industry relevance. Bootcamps can prepare you for a

career in digital marketing

. We’ve compiled the benefits of master’s degrees and bootcamps below to help you make a decision.

Benefits of a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree

• 
  More career options.
  
  A digital marketing master’s degree will give you a wide range of career options. You’re not just limited to careers in sales and marketing but in any field where you can use your creative and strategic skills.
• 
  Industry positioning.
  
  A master’s degree shows prospective clients and employees you’re competent and educated in the digital marketing field.
• 
  Attractive salary potential.
  
  With a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing, you can earn more. You can apply for and receive higher salaries because you have the degree to back up your skills.
• 
  Broad sales and market knowledge.
  
  A Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing broadens your scope of reasoning in business and marketing. You’ll be able to easily analyze and project industry trends and use this information to your advantage.
• 
  Long-term relevance.
  
  A master’s degree prepares you for changes in the field and equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to stay relevant in the industry.

Benefits of a Digital Marketing Bootcamp

• 
  In-demand marketing skills.
  
  
  Digital marketing bootcamps
  
  ensure that you have the necessary skills to excel in the industry. These programs equip you with the marketing, analytical, and strategic skills that will give you effective results.
• 
  Opportunity to work on real-life projects.
  
  Digital marketing bootcamps emphasize hands-on training. You’ll get the chance to work on projects that are relevant to your field and gather the professional experience you need to excel.
• 
  Career services.
  
  Most digital marketing bootcamps offer career services to students as part of the course training. They can help you set up your profiles on social platforms so you can generate good job prospects. They can also provide you with connections to get started.
• 
  Flexible learning formats.
  
  You have access to remote learning and self-paced options so you don’t have to disrupt your job or current schedule.
• 
  Affordable training.
  
  Digital marketing bootcamps are relatively cheap compared to master’s degrees. You can save money and still get the results you desire.

Should You Get a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing?

Yes, you should. A Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing offers you the opportunity to streamline your career path. You get to pursue your passion through a wide range of career paths, without the restrictions of a traditional job. Digital marketers are trained to be self-sufficient and problem solvers.

These professionals earn a high salary compensation and can freelance, set their rates, and decide their work hours. The long-term relevance for this field is also very encouraging. Because of how integral marketing is to the success of our business, competent professionals in this field will always have job security.

Digital Marketing Master’s Degree FAQ