The Best Associate's in Marketing Programs for 2027

Strayer University-Florida's Associate in Arts in Marketing is a fully online, 20-course degree built around 11-week terms. The marketing-specific coursework includes MKT 100 Principles of Marketing, MKT 305 Consumer Behavior, and MKT 325 Social Media Marketing, paired with general courses like Communication at Work and The Power of Persuasion. Every credit earned in the associate degree applies directly toward Strayer's Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, so the program is built as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential.

Strayer's Program Score of 90.4 ranks fourth of these four, but its graduation rate stands at 100%, notably against a total university enrollment of just 1,303 students. Tuition is a flat $13,725 whether a student lives in Florida or elsewhere, since Strayer prices nationally rather than by state, an $11,738 premium over Miami Dade's $1,987 in-state rate. Do the math on the degree itself: Strayer prices each course at $1,555, so 20 courses run $31,100 before the $65 per-term technology fee, $100 per-course resource kit, and one-time $150 degree conferral fee are added; that lines up with roughly two years at the IPEDS annual rate of $13,725, or about $27,450 total. This program fits a student who wants a fixed online schedule and a guaranteed transfer runway into a bachelor's degree, not the lowest sticker price on this list.

Central Penn College's Associate in Science in Marketing is built around a compact, career-facing course list: Introduction to Marketing, Public Relations, Persuasion, Consumer Behavior, Advertising, Fundamentals of Selling, Digital Media Marketing, and Business Accounting. The program is offered on-ground, online, and hybrid, and the school markets it as a fast-track credential completed in as few as 18 months rather than the standard two years. Central Penn also states that credits transfer seamlessly into its Bachelor's in Business Administration, positioning the AS as a launch point toward marketing specialist, advertising copywriter, or sales representative roles rather than an endpoint.

The program earned a Program Score of 90.2, the highest of any associate's marketing program in this group and good for rank 5 nationally. Central Penn's 51% graduation rate sits in the middle of the pack, but the admissions bar is the standout figure: the college admits just 18% of applicants, far more selective than Alfred State's 76% admit rate elsewhere in this group. Because Central Penn is a private for-profit college, tuition doesn't vary by residency: everyone pays a flat $18,324. With enrollment of only 684, this fits a student who wants a small, structured, fast-completing program with a fixed price tag and a documented one-year employment outcome (89.2%), not the lowest sticker price on the list.

Alfred State's Associate of Applied Science in Marketing sits inside a two-year/four-year pipeline that runs directly into the college's IACBE-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Associate-level coursework includes Writing Studies, Statistics I, and Principles of Sales, and the program builds a foundation in consumer engagement, brand marketing, data analytics, and SEO before students who continue into the BBA add digital campaign design, DEI, and sustainability coursework. Business students get applied learning in every course, many requiring a semester-long internship, plus an optional three-week study-abroad program in Sorrento, Italy. Kristy Green, an account manager at Nielsen/Claritas quoted on the program page, says Alfred State's hands-on training gives graduates "a step up from students with only conceptual knowledge."

The program posted a Program Score of 89.5, ranking 6th nationally in this group. Alfred State graduates 55% of its marketing students and admits 76% of applicants, making it the most accessible program here by admit rate. Cost is where residency matters most: in-state tuition is $7,070 a year, while out-of-state students pay $15,015, more than double. Enrollment near 3,781 makes this the largest campus in the group, giving admitted students an established business department and a direct two-year-to-four-year transfer path without leaving campus. It fits a New York resident who wants a low sticker price and a built-in bachelor's pathway; the value case weakens fast for an out-of-state applicant paying the $15,015 rate.

Mid-State Technical College's Associate in Applied Science in Digital Marketing is a 64-credit, two-year program delivered online with fall, spring, and summer start dates. Coursework centers on planning and executing digital campaigns, integrating marketing technology and analytics tools, and building a base in advertising, sales, pricing, and customer service. The degree is structured as a stackable pathway: students can pick up a Digital Marketing Promotions or Sales Specialist credential on the way to the associate degree, then transfer into a four-year program through Mid-State's articulation agreements.

The program earned a Program Score of 89.0, ranking 7th nationally in this group, with a 52% graduation rate. In-state tuition of $4,339 is the lowest of any program here, rising to $6,508 for out-of-state students, a $2,169 gap. Mid-State's own cost estimate for the full two-year credential, including fees and books, runs $11,802.88, about $3,125 above two years of sticker tuition alone. On outcomes, the college cites Lightcast data showing recent Wisconsin graduates of the program started at a median $64,815 a year, and its own graduate survey reports 100% satisfaction. With enrollment above 3,100, this fits a cost-conscious student who wants a fully online, employer-facing digital marketing credential without leaving Wisconsin.

Dakota County Technical College's A.S. in Marketing lays out a fixed two-year, four-semester sequence rather than an open elective menu. Year one covers Principles of Marketing, Fundamentals of Sales, and Marketing Communications Writing alongside Composition I and Interpersonal Communication; year two adds Consumer and Professional Buying Behavior, Advertising Practices and Procedures, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, and International Business, backed by College Algebra, Statistics, and Principles of Microeconomics. The program is offered online, and the college publishes a syllabus outline for every course in the sequence, giving applicants a class-by-class map of the degree before they enroll.

DCTC earned a Program Score of 88.9, ranking 8th nationally in this group. Its 58% graduation rate is the highest of the four programs here. Tuition runs $5,759 a year, and unlike Alfred State and Mid-State, the two other public colleges in this group, Dakota County charges out-of-state students that exact same rate rather than a residency premium. With enrollment near 2,894, this fits a student who wants a structured, fully online curriculum built around named marketing courses, not a general business elective mix, at one flat published price regardless of home state.

Southeast Technical College's Associate of Applied Science in Marketing is a two-year, ACBSP-accredited program students can take on campus at the George S. Mickelson Center in Sioux Falls, fully online, or hybrid. Coursework covers Principles of Marketing, Principles of Selling, InDesign Essentials, Social Media, Market Research, and Marketing Management, with technical electives that let students lean into digital marketing, social media strategy, or consumer behavior. A built-in pathway lets students co-enroll at Northern State University to continue straight into a bachelor's degree after finishing at STC.

The program carries a Program Score of 88.3, tied for the top mark in this group, on a 59% graduation rate and enrollment of 2,659. Tuition runs $282 per credit hour for an annual rate of $3,720, and because that figure is identical for in-state and out-of-state students, an out-of-state student who enrolls in the online track pays the same public price as a Sioux Falls local, a real edge over public schools that reserve their lowest rate for residents only. Southeast Tech also reports a 100% job placement rate in its most recent Graduate Outcomes Report. This fits a student chasing the lowest total cost into an entry-level marketing role, or a transfer-ready foundation before finishing a four-year degree at NSU.

Full Sail University's Digital Marketing program is delivered fully online and covers search engine optimization, display advertising and email marketing, and marketing law and contracts, alongside content strategy for reaching target audiences. Tuition includes Project LaunchBox, a technology package the school lists as an Apple MacBook, a 3-year AppleCare warranty, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Microsoft Office 365. Full Sail runs on an accelerated, non-traditional calendar with monthly start dates (the page lists August 3, August 31, September 28, and October 26) and a predetermined course sequence rather than semester-by-semester enrollment, which the school says lets most students finish in about half the time of a traditional program. The program is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, per the school's own accreditation page.

Full Sail carries a Program Score of 88 built on a 44% graduation rate, the lowest of this group, against a flat, locked-in tuition of $26,906 that does not increase as a student moves through the program and covers books, supplies, and the LaunchBox package. Enrollment sits at 27,169, far larger than the other schools in this set, reflecting Full Sail's national online reach rather than a single campus cohort. This is a fit for a self-directed student who wants speed and bundled equipment and is willing to trade that for a lower completion rate than a traditional academic calendar.

Midwestern Career College's Associate of Applied Science in Marketing runs two years across 80 instructional weeks and five terms in a hybrid format at the college's Chicago Downtown Campus, with the next cohort starting August 24, 2026. Coursework covers Principles of Marketing, Marketing Research & Behavior, Internet Marketing, Personal Selling, Business Ethics, and Financial Accounting, and the program requires a marketing externship where students apply coursework in a professional setting. The page also walks F-1 international students through how the curriculum can connect to CPT and OPT eligibility, a detail aimed squarely at MCC's international student base.

MCC posts a Program Score of 87.8 on a 54% graduation rate and an enrollment of 887; the school's page does not list a tuition figure, so cost should be confirmed directly with the admissions office before enrolling. MCC's own program page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing 7% employment growth for market research analysts from 2025 to 2035, double the 3.5% projected across all occupations. This fits a Chicago-based student who wants a hybrid, career-college pace with a built-in externship rather than a traditional two-year transfer track.

East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) offers its Business and Marketing Management Technology program on the Golden Triangle and Scooba campuses as well as online. The school says it prepares graduates for careers in marketing, professional sales, advertising, management, retail management, entrepreneurship and human resource management. The Associate of Applied Science builds on a Career Certificate option and a Technical Certificate option, plus at least 15 semester hours of general education. Coursework includes applied business math, digital media applications, internet marketing and e-commerce marketing. Entry requires a minimum ACT English score of 13 or equivalent Accuplacer scores, or admission through the MiBest program, and graduates take the MS-CPAS assessment. The page says all program courses can be taken online.

EMCC is open admission, so no admit rate applies. The graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition is $3,600, and out-of-state tuition is $6,600. The program has a Program Score of 87.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a low-cost marketing and management credential, with stackable certificates and the choice of campus or online study.

Northwest Mississippi Community College offers a Marketing Management Technology program, a two-year business pathway built on specialized occupational training. Coursework covers social media marketing, consumer behavior, marketing, entrepreneurship, management, advertising, digital media applications, retail management, event management and marketing case studies. Credentials stack: 30 semester hours earn a career certificate, 45 earn a technical certificate, and 60 earn an Associate of Applied Science. The program runs two to four semesters, with fall and spring entry, and is taught at the DeSoto Center in Southaven and through eLearning. Admission to the program requires a college application, a high school diploma or GED/HiSET on file, and contact with a program instructor. Some assignments need Microsoft Office 2021 or Office 365.

The college is open admission, and 45% of students graduate. Tuition is $3,400 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, which keeps cost the same regardless of residency. The program earns a Program Score of 87.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a short, low-cost path into marketing work, or who want a first credential they can build on.

Indian River State College offers an Associate in Science in Marketing Management in Fort Pierce, along with a Marketing Operations technical certificate. The associate degree is built to give students the skills to create, communicate and elevate a brand, combining timeless sales skills with modern marketing strategy. The page lists several outcomes: effective business communication techniques, identifying ideal customers, creating ads that speak to them directly, and preparing for marketing and advertising roles in any industry. Students also learn to develop products and build advertising and sales strategy. The Marketing Operations certificate adds courses in business management and marketing for students who want a shorter credential. The college runs live info sessions for prospective students and has admissions counselors to answer questions.

IRSC is an open admission college, and 45% of its students graduate. In-state tuition is $2,496, while out-of-state students pay $9,360. The program earns a Program Score of 87.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. It fits students who want a practical two-year marketing credential close to home at a low price, or who want a certificate first and a degree later. Students planning to transfer should ask an advisor how the coursework counts toward a bachelor's degree.

Strayer University's Associate in Arts in Marketing is delivered fully online and is built from 20 courses, each 11 weeks long. The curriculum covers core marketing principles and strategy, with sample courses in Introduction to Business, Communication at Work, Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Social Media Marketing. The school describes the program as teaching students to use social and digital media, blogs and podcasts to build brand loyalty and reach customers. Strayer states that graduates may apply all of their credits toward its Bachelor of Business Administration. Applicants need a completed application, a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid photo ID.

Federal data show a 36% graduation rate at Strayer University-Virginia, and the school is open admission, so there is no selective admit rate to clear. Listed tuition is $13,725 for both in-state and out-of-state students, which makes residency irrelevant to price. The program earns a Program Score of 85.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults who want a short, flexible route into entry-level marketing roles, or who plan to continue straight into a bachelor's degree at the same school.

Strayer University-North Carolina offers an online Associate in Arts in Marketing built from 20 courses, each 11 weeks long. The page describes a curriculum on core marketing principles and strategy: what influences and motivates consumers, how to build brand loyalty, and how to use social media, blogs and podcasts to reach customers. Listed skills include using data from digital campaigns to guide strategy, developing a communication strategy from consumer insights and choosing channels to promote products and brands. Graduates may apply all credits earned toward a Bachelor of Business Administration at Strayer, and the school notes that students with four or more transfer courses may qualify for a scholarship, subject to eligibility rules. Strayer states that it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Federal data shows a 33% graduation rate, and the school is open admission. Tuition is $13,725 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program has a Program Score of 84.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Open enrollment and a fully online format make it a fit for adults who need flexible scheduling, though the graduation rate shows many students do not finish.

Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, offers an Associate in Applied Science in Management Marketing in its Business and Technology division. The degree is designed for students who want to work in marketing or management driven organizations. The page says marketing management roles typically involve traditional print media, digital advertising and social media, and often include overseeing marketing and sales teams. It lists careers such as public relations manager, advertising manager, chief marketing officer, market research analyst, promotions manager, social media manager and media planner. A four-semester plan guides students through the degree. Class sizes are capped at 24 students, and the curriculum draws on business, accounting, computer software and digital media, and math courses.

Garden City is an open admission college. Its graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition is $1,890 and out-of-state tuition is $2,460. The program earns a Program Score of 84.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want small classes, a fast two-year route into marketing roles, or an inexpensive start before transferring.

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) offers a 60-credit associate degree in marketing, taught on the Eau Claire campus under the MyChoice model, which lets students attend in person or online. The program starts each August and is labeled a high-enrollment-demand program. The page describes industry-backed, hands-on experiences: group projects with real clients, business tours and an internship opportunity. Topics include advertising and sponsorship, B2B and B2C selling, social media strategies and digital communities, market research, customer relationship management, basic promotion design, client presentations and writing a marketing plan. Students who completed CVTC's Sales & Marketing Specialist technical diploma or Customer Sales & Service certificate already have credits toward the degree. CVTC reports an average starting salary of $45,507 for recent graduates.

CVTC has a Program Score of 84.5 out of 100, which is the basis of this ranking. The college is open admission and graduates 50% of its students. In-state tuition is $4,485 and out-of-state tuition is $6,728. The program fits students who want practical marketing skills and client experience in two years, and those who prefer to choose between campus and online delivery.

Ridgewater College lists Marketing and Sales Management as an Associate of Applied Science, alongside an Essentials for Business Certificate. The page frames marketing as selling products, experiences and ideas, and as building narratives, connections and brand awareness. Coursework covers strategic principles and buyer perceptions and behaviors, and computer concepts and applications, business presentations and management. The online format has no set meeting time, and students attend lectures and access class materials according to their schedules. The page shows upcoming application and class start dates. It does not describe an internship, a capstone or a credit total, so students should confirm those details with the college before enrolling.

Ridgewater is an open admission college, so no admit rate applies. The graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition is $5,473, and out-of-state tuition is the same $5,473. The program has a Program Score of 83.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a flexible, self-paced route into marketing or sales work and who may prefer an online format that fits around a job.

St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) delivers its marketing program as Marketing Sales Management. Students can choose an Associate of Applied Science, a Diploma designed over two semesters, or an Associate Diploma. The curriculum emphasizes marketing, management and sales, with coursework in marketing management, branding and promotion, sales management, professional sales, human resource management, customer service, entrepreneurship, business math, communication and accounting. Students apply what they learn in an internship at a real workplace, and the page says many internships lead to jobs after graduation. Listed career paths include professional sales representative, retail manager, sales manager, customer service manager, hospitality manager, marketing assistant and small business owner.

SCTCC is an open admission college, so there is no admit rate to clear. The graduation rate is 45%. In-state tuition is $5,392, and out-of-state tuition is the same $5,392. The program has a Program Score of 83.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a short, job-focused path into sales or marketing work, and those who prefer to start with a two-semester diploma and continue toward the AAS.