Is an MBA in Marketing Worth It?

According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), enrollment in business master’s programs accredited by the association increased by 30% between 2014 and 2024. As more students advance their education and careers through postgraduate degrees, options have become more specialized and varied. However, interest in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains strong, with 30% of master’s students at AACSB-accredited schools pursuing MBAs.

While MBA programs offer a comprehensive business education, they also allow for specialization in fields such as marketing. Is an MBA in marketing worth it in 2026? Anyone interested in advancing their marketing careers will find that today’s flexible online MBA programs make preparing for new roles and honing specific skills more accessible.

What Do You Learn With an MBA in Marketing?

MBA programs typically offer a range of concentrations that allow students to gain expertise in their chosen field, with classes focused on up-to-date skills and trends.

A marketing concentration offers coursework covering current practices and tools, as well as the fundamentals of marketing, including customer relationship management and professional selling.

While MBA in Marketing programs do include specialized material, they also offer a broad foundation in other business areas. Graduates are well-rounded business professionals who understand the inner workings of businesses and can be effective collaborators with other organizational leaders.

Benefits of an MBA in Marketing

Students wondering if an MBA in marketing is worth it should consider their career goals. Professionals interested in senior marketing roles, particularly at the executive level, will find that an MBA in marketing is an ideal way to demonstrate their expertise and adaptability.

Demonstrate Business Acumen

In the business world, an MBA demonstrates a high level of knowledge and skills to prospective employers. In a 2025 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey, 99% of employers said that students with graduate management education, such as an MBA, were prepared to succeed in their organizations.

Employers largely agree that MBA graduates have strong communication skills, a versatile skill set, and are strategic leaders. Earning an MBA in marketing sets graduates apart and shows employers that they have invested in their education and their future.

Respond to a Growing Skills Gap

In a 2026 Robert Half survey of marketing leaders, 65% said they planned to expand their marketing teams in the first half of 2026. At the same time, they reported struggling to find the right talent, with 45% stating that finding highly skilled marketing professionals was more difficult than a year ago.

This skills gap ultimately benefits marketing MBA holders, as they graduate with specialized expertise. Today’s marketing leaders say they’re looking for candidates with up-to-date skills in digital marketing campaigns, data analytics, and automation.

MBA graduates demonstrate the knowledge and skills that fit the current marketing landscape, making them more competitive in the job market. Perhaps that’s why the GMAC survey found that employers hired more MBA graduates in 2024 than holders of any other graduate business degree, including a Master of Marketing. Nearly one-third of employers said they planned to hire even more MBA graduates in 2025.

Prepare for More Advanced, Higher-Paying Roles

Nearly 40% of 310 surveyed chief marketing officers hired in 2024 held an MBA, according to Taligence, an executive search firm. To reach the highest marketing roles, leaders need to understand all foundations of their industry, including finance, accounting, and information systems — all topics covered in MBA programs’ core classes.

These advanced roles also tend to come with higher salaries. MBA holders had a projected median annual salary of $125,000 in 2025, according to GMAC. In comparison, individuals with only a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field such as marketing had a projected median annual salary of $75,000.

MBA in Marketing Career Paths

While some of the positions below are possible to achieve without an MBA in Marketing, many employers prefer to hire applicants with a graduate degree. This advanced education can sometimes be a substitute for the years of experience that would typically be required to reach these advanced roles.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers plan and carry out marketing campaigns, manage staff and resources for campaigns, and track results to optimize future performance.

The median annual salary for marketing managers was $161,030 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Brand Manager

Brand managers differ from marketing managers in that they focus on creating the company or brand identity that ultimately drives marketing strategies, rather than carrying out specific marketing strategies. Brand managers conduct research on a company’s audience, develop brand messaging and voice, and ensure that the brand identity is consistent across all marketing channels.

The median annual salary for brand managers was about $86,500 as of February 2025, according to Payscale.

Product Manager

An MBA in Marketing can be especially worth it for those interested in product management, a collaborative role that bridges the engineering and the marketing teams. Product managers research a company’s audience and collaborate with engineering teams to translate consumer insights into product features and updates.

The median annual salary for product managers was about $112,200 in March 2026, according to Payscale.

Earn an MBA in Marketing at NCCU Online

MBA degrees are highly regarded for a reason. To employers, they’re symbols that graduates are not only highly skilled marketing professionals but also adaptable management experts who know how to make their teams more efficient and effective.

The online MBA from NCCU Online provides students with a comprehensive business education, with courses on essential topics like economic analysis, production and systems management, and financial policies.

Students can choose from eight concentrations, including data analytics and marketing, that help them fine-tune their skills in their chosen field. NCCU Online also offers the option to pursue dual concentrations, making graduates even more effective in roles such as market research analyst and product manager.

Discover your new marketing career with an MBA from NCCU Online.

Recommended Readings

What Is a BBA Degree?

How Long Is an MBA Program?

MBA Benefits: Outcomes and Advantages

Sources:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Master’s Enrollment Trends at AACSB Schools: A Shifting Landscape

Chief Marketer Network, “Report: MBAs More Common Than Agency Experience Among Global CMOs”

Graduate Management Admission Council, Corporate Recruiters Survey — 2025 Report

Payscale, Average Brand Manager Salary

Payscale, Average Product Manager, Software Salary

Robert Half, 2026 Marketing Job Market: In-Demand Roles and Hiring Trends