Marketing Schools and Programs in The United States

Marketing Studies in The United States

Marketing is the part of business studies that deals with customers: what they want, how products and services are developed for them, and how they are priced, promoted and sold. Penn State's Smeal College of Business describes it as a broad field whose primary purpose is generating demand for an enterprise's products or services, based on an understanding of consumer behaviour and research. In the United States, marketing is taught mainly in university business schools, and also at community colleges.

How the degree is organised

Undergraduate study leads to a bachelor's degree, which according to EducationUSA is usually completed in four years of full-time study and is awarded after a specified number of credits in a major field of study. Marketing is normally a major or specialisation within a general business degree, not a separate degree. Temple University's Fox School of Business awards a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing. The University of Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Marketing with a programme length of 120 credits over four years of full-time study. At The Ohio State University, marketing is a specialisation within the undergraduate business programme of the Fisher College of Business.

Students first take general education and core business courses, such as economics, statistics, accounting and finance, and then the marketing courses. The required courses are similar across universities. Temple lists Customer Data Analytics, Marketing Research, Consumer and Buyer Behavior and Marketing Strategy; at Penn State all marketing majors take consumer behaviour, marketing research and marketing strategy, and can then choose a specialty track in Business Development & Sales or Strategic Insights & Analytics. Electives cover areas such as digital marketing, retail management and professional selling. Bentley University reports that 89% of its students complete at least one internship.

Community colleges offer two-year programmes leading to an associate degree, and also technical and vocational programmes. EducationUSA describes a "2+2" route in which a student earns a bachelor's degree with two years of community college followed by two years of university study.

At graduate level, EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree providing additional specialisation, although specialised business master's degrees can be shorter: the MS Marketing programme at the University of Florida has 30 credits and takes one year full time. A PhD in Marketing is a research degree; the University of Florida states that most students complete its programme in five years.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants generally must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, so the search should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study marketing in the United States

The schools listed on this page are spread across the whole country. They include large public universities such as The Ohio State University in Columbus, The University of Texas at Austin, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in University Park, the University of Florida in Gainesville and Purdue University in West Lafayette. Private universities on the list include Bentley University in Waltham, Northeastern University in Boston, Drexel University in Philadelphia and Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The cities with most schools are New York, Philadelphia and Miami; Temple University and Drexel University are in Philadelphia, and Florida International University and the University of Miami are in Miami. Community colleges such as Pasadena City College, Bucks County Community College and American River College are also listed. Teaching is in English.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised: institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. In addition, business schools can hold a voluntary accreditation of their own, such as that of AACSB, which describes its accreditation as a framework for quality assurance and continuous improvement in business education. Students who plan to continue studying or to work in another country should check how a US degree is recognised there before enrolling.

Careers

Ohio State lists brand and product management, advertising, sales, market research and digital marketing as typical destinations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree, and courses in statistics, research methods and marketing are important. The occupation had 952,700 jobs in 2025 and employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Advertising, promotions and marketing managers typically need a bachelor's degree and work experience in a related occupation; the BLS counts 454,800 jobs in 2025 and projects growth of 6 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a marketing degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. An associate degree at a community college takes two years, and a specialised master's can take one to two years depending on the programme.

Is marketing a separate degree or part of a business degree?

It is usually a major within a business degree, such as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). Students take core business courses as well as the marketing courses.

Can I start at a community college?

Yes. EducationUSA describes the "2+2" route: two years at a community college followed by two years at a university to complete the bachelor's degree. Transfer conditions depend on the institutions involved.