Should you get a master's degree in marketing or communications?
If you want to take your strategic written and verbal communication skills to the next level, you may consider earning a master's in marketing or communications. But which is right for you? Learn more about each of these lucrative degrees.
Marketing vs. communications degrees
In a marketing master's program, you learn how to reach a specific audience and sell them a product or service. In a communications master's program, you learn what to say to both internal and external stakeholders — and how to craft a compelling message. While these two disciplines both teach strategic messaging, they serve different purposes and prepare you for different kinds of careers.
Cost
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020, the average student budget was $27,919 for communications and journalism master's degrees and $30,111 for business, management, and marketing master's degrees.
Business, management, and marketing roles generally have higher earning potential, which may offset this difference in cost. Program costs vary significantly, so check each program's tuition costs and financial aid opportunities.
Curriculum
Master's in marketing
In a master's in marketing degree program, you'll learn how to combine strategy, storytelling, and analytics to become a successful marketer. In these programs, you may analyze case studies, complete creative projects, and discuss emerging digital marketing topics. Some of your coursework may cover:
- Social media marketing
- Marketing management
- Digital branding
- Market research
- Content creation
- Marketing analytics
- Ethical marketing strategy
Master's in communications
Master's in communications degree programs cover everything you need to know to successfully manage a newsroom, become a PR maven, or deepen your business communications expertise. In these programs, you'll learn from communications veterans from various renowned organizations. They'll teach you the latest trends, techniques, and technologies necessary to succeed in an evolving field. Some of your coursework may cover:
- Strategic communications
- Media management
- Data-driven journalism
- Web and mobile story production
- Research methodologies
- Leadership
- Business management
Program outcomes
Both marketing and communications master's program graduates can apply their degrees in various ways. Many aspiring journalists succeed in digital media by combining journalism and marketing skills.
What you can do with a master's in marketing
Many master's in marketing graduates become:
- Marketing or advertising managers
- Market research analysts
- Art directors
- Marketing executives
According to the NCES, the average adjusted gross income for business, management, and marketing master's graduates in 2020 was $74,596.
What you can do with a master's in communications
Those who have earned their master's in communications often go on to work as:
- Journalists
- Public relations (PR) managers
- Professors
- Communications executives
The NCES reports the average adjusted gross income for communications and journalism master's graduates in 2020 as $45,392.
Salary and career outlook
Marketing roles
- Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers
- Median annual salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advertising, promotions, and marketing managers made a median annual salary of $156,580 in 2023.
- Career outlook: As organizations continue to rely on marketing services, advertising, promotions, and marketing manager jobs are projected to grow by 8% from 2023–33.
- Market research analysts
- Median annual salary: Per the BLS, market research analysts made a median annual salary of $74,680 in 2023.
- Career outlook: Due to an increased demand for customer and prospect data, market research analyst jobs are projected to grow by 8% from 2023–33.
Communications roles
- Public relations specialists
- Median annual salary: The BLS reports that public relations specialists made a median annual salary of $66,750 in 2023.
- Career outlook: Due to continued organizational demand for a positive public image and strategic media outreach, public relations specialist jobs are projected to grow by 6% from 2023–33.
- News analysts, reporters, and journalists
- Median annual salary: According to the BLS, news analysts, reporters, and journalists made a median annual salary of $57,500 in 2023.
- Career outlook: Due to a decreased demand for traditional journalism, news analyst, reporter, and journalist jobs are projected to decline by 3% from 2023–33.
Marketing vs. communications: which degree is right for me?
As you decide between a marketing and communications master's degree, consider:
- Your interests: Would you rather learn how to sell products and services using social media or write a byline from the perspective of a CEO? Are you more interested in interpreting data or telling a story? Would you enjoy building an advertising campaign or an editorial calendar more?
- Your budget: While program costs vary, marketing master's programs tend to be more expensive than communications programs. Remember to factor in your financial aid eligibility and fees not covered by tuition when calculating how much you'll pay for school.
- Your career goals: Think about what you want to do once you've earned your master's degree. Choose a program with a curriculum that best prepares you to achieve your goals.