Top 5 Online Bachelor's in Internet Marketing Programs for 2019

An internet marketing degree is the perfect marriage of marketing fundamentals and the worldwide web. Internet marketing programs teach students oral and written communication skills, preparing them to work with a variety of clients and colleagues. Students will acquire the skills needed to lead promotional and advertising campaigns and how to reach out to a targeted audience.

The job outlook for marketing professionals is positive: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth rate in the field between 2014 and 2024, faster growth than in most professions. This growth is anticipated to come in the form of digital marketing and social media positions.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN INTERNET MARKETING PROGRAMS?

1

Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State, located in Boone, NC, offers a BS in communication with an advertising concentration. Students generally take 12 credits per semester and complete the degree in six semesters. This 122-credit internet marketing degree prepares learners for many different careers. Students learn how to connect with consumers and effective brand management techniques. Learners must select a minor concentration in business or sociology. Graduates possess research, communication, marketing, and project management skills that are critical to success in the field.

Competitive applicants for this digital marketing degree have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, an SAT score of 800, and a minimum composite ACT score of 17. Applicants who are 21 or older are exempt from GPA requirements, test scores, and course requirements.

2

Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire

SNHU is a private, nonprofit university that's located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The school offers a digital marketing degree with a concentration in social media marketing. The bachelor's degree teaches students how to engage consumers and increase revenue for businesses of all types and sizes. The curriculum emphasizes theory, history, and employing social media within marketing efforts. Learners in this program become more adaptive and evolve with the changing social media landscape through brand building strategies and online marketing organization. Courses include social media marketing strategies and campaigns, consumer behavior, and marketing research. The school has six eight-week terms per year, and the program is offered completely online in an asynchronous format. Students can transfer up to 90 credits; the degree requires students to earn at least 120 credits.

3

Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, Pennsylvania

Penn State's bachelor of design in digital multimedia design combines visual arts and communications into a diverse and flexible undergraduate experience. Students develop a portfolio of design work while enrolled and transform that collection into a self-directed project in their capstone semester. Courses include 3D design fundamentals, social media strategies, and usability engineering. Students work with an academic adviser to determine which elective courses they should take; the curriculum includes 18 elective credits.

Competitive applicants for this digital marketing degree online must submit high school transcripts or GED records. Transfer students must submit transcripts from previous colleges or universities. Standardized test scores are not required for application or admission. This 120-credit program can be completed in four years. Graduates are prepared for a career in marketing.

4

National University La Jolla, California

National, located in La Jolla, California, offers more than 70 online programs. NU's bachelor of arts in integrated marketing communications combines the study of various marketing principles. Students learn the essential components of advertising, sales, public relations, and direct marketing to formulate effective marketing strategies. Students also learn research skills to evaluate their own performance. This research-heavy characteristic is effective for students pursuing further academic research. This online marketing degree helps students create and understand persuasive mediums like print, broadcast, social media, and mobile technology. This program requires 180 quarter units to graduate. The school accepts transfer credits, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At least 45 quarter units must be completed while enrolled at NU.

5

Granite State University Concord, New Hampshire

GSU, located in Concord, NH, offers a BS in digital media that combines key elements of marketing and creativity. Students pursuing an internet marketing degree take courses like consumer behavior and strategic communication, which teach them how to convey messages effectively to individuals and groups. Students learn to manage information, keep up with emerging technology in the field, and utilize strategic marketing techniques in the digital world. Graduates possess an understanding of communication, media, and research methodologies in a global context.

This program requires students to complete at least 120-credits and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. Competitive applicants hold a high school diploma or have successfully completed the GED, HiSET, or TASC.

How to Choose an Online Bachelor's in Internet Marketing Program

There are a variety of factors that go into determining which online bachelor's in internet marketing program will be right for you. You may want to determine whether a program is offered full-time or part-time, examine the curriculum to see if you are interested in a school's courses, and calculate the cost of each degree. Be sure to select a program that will best prepare you to achieve your long-term career goals.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THIS PROGRAM?

One of the first things you should do is examine each school's course catalog to learn what kind of classes they offer. You should also pay close attention to opportunities to specialize your studies within each internet marketing degree program. For example, you may want to specialize in sports or international marketing. Knowing what kinds of classes a school offers and who the faculty are that teach them will help you decide if a school is right for you.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM?

The length of each online marketing degree depends on a variety of factors. First you should determine whether you can study full-time or part-time in the program, as full-time study is typically allows students to earn their degree in half the time. Some programs also offer accelerated programs or accept transfer credits, both of which can reduce the amount of time it takes to earn a degree.

HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT ONLINE STUDENTS?

Even while earning your digital marketing degree online, you'll need access to your professors, academic advisers, and career counselors to ensure your educational and occupational success. When searching for the right online bachelor's in internet marketing program, be sure to check that each school offers online support services and allow you to connect with the people and resources that you need.

WHAT INTERNSHIP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES DOES THIS PROGRAM OFFER?

Ideally, you'll be able to find a program that offers internships and other hands-on experiences. These opportunities allow you to gain experience in the field before graduation, which can help you apply lessons learned in class in a meaningful way. Your school should also offer career services that will help place you in a job once you graduate. Examine what types of internship and job placement opportunities are offered at various schools to decide if they meet your expectations.

Careers for Graduates of this Program

Internet marketing is a booming field because of the rise in digital media. Websites and social media are now becoming the standard ways that large companies reach out to the public and grab the attention of consumers. These platforms allow companies to reach a significant audience in a cost-effective manner. As a result, organizations experience a great increase in productivity and revenue by employing professionals who are able to specifically target the right consumers on social media.

Marketing Manager

These professionals help design and lead advertising and sales campaigns. Their work focuses on different types of products, brands, or lines of merchandise across the entire organization. This career requires the ability to think creatively, research market demand, and collaborate well with others in a team environment.

Median Salary: $62,913

Advertising Manager

Advertising managers facilitate the planning and execution of advertising campaigns for their organization. They oversee brand messaging across various media platforms and collaborate with stakeholders and partners to ensure the effectiveness of their campaigns. They also guide their teams towards meeting campaign goals on time and under budget.

Median Salary: $54,826

Promotions Manager

Promotions managers are responsible for raising point-of-sale transactions by encouraging consumers to purchase products. This involves researching and appropriately targeting the right market for the merchandise. It also requires leveraging the right kinds of visuals -- like in-store graphics -- to attract buyers and ensuring that the cost of a campaign remains within its budget.

Median Salary: $51,280

Marketing Specialist

These professionals help companies sell products and services as members of a team, typically lead by a marketing manager. They are responsible for marketing specific products or brands as well as analyzing marketing data to help drive the overall strategy of these campaigns. They also help create marketing materials, including presentations on recommended marketing strategies.

Median Salary: $49,608

Social Media Manager

Social media managers develop an organization's social media strategy by monitoring a variety of internet activities. They encourage their company to participate in social media and engage with target audiences online. They also encourage their target audience to actively engage with the organization through multiple social media platforms.

Median Salary: $48,272

Job Outlook and Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that career opportunities in marketing will increase 9% from 2014 and 2024, which is faster than the national average growth rate. This is largely due to the increasing use of digital media to attract and communicate with consumers on a scale larger. Social media accounts, websites, and live chat events all help organizations to better target their consumers and interact with them on a personal level.

The salary for internet marketing positions varies greatly by industry. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that marketing managers in large enterprises earn a median income of $116,270, while those in retail typically earn $86,500.

Employment Growth for Internet Marketing
Employment, 2014 Projected Employment, 2024
225,200 244,900

Source: BLS

SALARY GROWTH BY EXPERIENCE

Experience is one of the most important factors that determines an internet marketing specialist's salary. The world is quickly becoming more digital, which has created a demand for tech-savvy professionals who can effectively community through these platforms. Earning a digital marketing degree online can prepare you to pursue a creative and lucrative career.


To determine the best online bachelor's in internet marketing programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 10 best online bachelor's in internet marketing programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.