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Top 10 Best PhD in Marketing Programs in the US [2024]

How deep do you want to dive into the ever-growing marketing field? A marketing background is a lucrative education choice that brings you applicable expertise for any industry. These days, marketing managers  make upwards of $130,000 per year. A master’s in marketing  is a great start.

But a PhD in marketing takes your career to the highest levels, though not only for individual businesses. You can take that expertise and dive deeper into research or pursue a teaching career in academia.

What are the best marketing PhD programs, and where can you find them? We’ve put together a solid list that even includes online marketing PhD programs for you to choose from!

Table of Contents

Best Marketing PhD Programs and Schools

Arizona state university, w. p. carey school of business, phd in marketing.

ASU was ranked no. 1  by the US News and World Report on its list of the most innovative schools. In this PhD marketing program, you can choose between three tracks: consumer behavior, quantitative marketing models, and service strategy. There are also core courses shared by all streams, which cover research methods and marketing models.

• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $11,720 per year
• Acceptance rate: 88.4%
• Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Harvard University, Harvard Business School

Harvard University is a world-renowned Ivy League  university known for its strength in research. This program draws on various disciplines, such as research methods, statistics, computer science , machine learning, and field seminars. After the first two years, students can embark on their dissertation. Although the Harvard Business School offers this program, doctorate candidates can also collaborate with other Harvard schools and MIT.

• Courses: 13
• Tuition : $50,928
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

The University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin School of Business

The Wisconsin School of Business has a strong reputation for its excellent faculty and reasonable tuition. The school’s core research areas for their marketing PhD are quantitative modeling, marketing strategy, and consumer behavior. Interested in a research position at a university, or teaching a specialized course? You’ll find many network opportunities if you enroll in this prorgam.

• Tuition: Refer tuition page
• Acceptance rate: 57.2%
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

Phd program in marketing.

Carnegie Mellon University is based in Pittsburgh but has campuses all over the world. Their marketing PhD program covers topics like brand-choice models, marketing/operations interface, and theories of consumer behavior. Students are supported by excellent faculty to pursue quality research in specialty areas like behavioral and experimental economics , high-tech marketing, and two-sided market pricing.

• Duration: 4 to 5 years
• Tuition : $47,000 per year
• Acceptance rate: 17.3%
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business

The University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship institution of the University of Colorado system and has nine schools and colleges offering around 150 programs. Its PhD in marketing is an advanced degree covering experimental and statistical methods, predictive modeling, quantitative marketing, and theory building, with crucial courses built around consumer behavior and quantitative modeling.

• Tuition : $2,811 per credit
• Acceptance rate: 84.2%
• Location: Boulder, Colorado

The University of Missouri, Robert J. Trulaske Sr. College of Business

The University of Missouri is a public land-grant university that offers high-quality but affordable education. Its PhD program in marketing focuses on developing teaching and research skills and helps students prepare for careers in various research settings. The program offers small class sizes and promotes a collaborative environment.

• Semester hours: 72
• Tuition : $414.60 per credit hour
• Acceptance rate: 81.8%
• Location: Cornell Hall | Columbia, Missouri

Florida International University, College of Business

Phd in business administration (marketing).

FIU College of Business is a world-renowned institution that falls within the top 5% of elite business schools globally and has been ranked second  in the nation for international business programs. Its PhD in Business Administration with a focus on marketing equips students with the knowledge necessary to establish successful careers in academics and research. The program’s key courses include marketing research methodology, advanced data analysis, and statistical methods in consumer research.

• Duration: 4 years
• Tuition : $10,935.36 per year
• Location: Miami, Florida

Drexel University, LeBow College of Business

Drexel University is a well-known private research institution and center of higher learning that emphasizes experiential learning. Its PhD in marketing program covers both the macro and micro aspects of marketing, though with a greater focus on the microelements. You can also choose between electives in economics-oriented or behavior-oriented subjects. Economics-oriented courses include econometrics and advanced microeconomics, while behavior-oriented includes multivariate analysis, and behavioral science research.

• Tuition : $2,000 per credit hour
• Acceptance rate: 77.2%
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Liberty University

Online doctor of business administration (dba) – marketing.

Looking for online marketing doctoral programs? Liberty University offers various fully online programs flexible enough for working professionals. Its DBA program in marketing includes strategic marketing management, supply chain management, marketing research, and marketing promotions. As one of the only fully-online marketing PhD programs available, it is ideal for working professionals who want to keep a balance between work and study. The program also lets you transfer up to 50% of credits from previous degrees.

• Credit hours: 60
• Duration: 3 years (average)
• Tuition : $595 per hour
• Acceptance rate: 50.1%

Grand Canyon University, College of Doctoral Studies

Doctor of business administration (dba): marketing (quantitative research).

Grand Canyon University is the largest private Christian university with almost 100,000 students. Unlike a qualitative DBA, which attempts to analyze topics using insights into how and why people think and behave, this quantitative DBA focuses on analysis by interpreting numeric data. This online doctorate in marketing includes courses about quantitative data collection and analysis, the complexity of marketing, and digital technology (a PhD in digital marketing is a great specialty!) and consumer behavior.

• Credits: 60
• Tuition : $702 per credit
• Acceptance rate: 80.7%

Should I Get a Doctorate in Marketing?

With a doctorate in marketing, you’ll be eligible for various high-level roles in academia, business, and research. These positions can offer salaries anywhere from $55,000 to $155,000, making the degree a valuable qualification for your CV.

Of course, like any discipline or program, a marketing PhD has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Having a PhD in Marketing:

• Excellent career prospects:

A PhD in marketing will qualify you for roles at the highest levels of business management, which you otherwise might not access with a master’s alone. Alternatively, you use this degree to pursue a career in academia and research.

• Job opportunities in academia:

A PhD is a prerequisite if you want to teach marketing at a post-secondary level or pursue certain research career paths.

• Scope for innovation:

A PhD in marketing helps you contribute to advances in the field, especially in cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence and natural language processing. In contrast, a master’s degree has a smaller scope for research.

Drawbacks of a PhD in Marketing:

• You have to wait to launch your career:

Studying a PhD is a serious time investment: it takes around five years to complete for most people. Of course, this is after you’ve already completed your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, so it will take you an average of 11 years before the degree brings you higher on the career ladder.

• It’s a balancing act:

By the time you start your PhD, you might have a family to take care of. As a result, managing your studies, research, and family could be a challenge.

How to Choose a Marketing Doctoral Program?

With so many options, you might have trouble picking from the top marketing PhD programs. Here are some essential factors to consider before deciding:

1. Your career goals

You might be able to build a worthwhile career in marketing with a master’s degree . But for heavy research and academic or teaching work, you’ll need a PhD. If you’re not interested in teaching or research, you might reconsider the time and financial commitment needed to complete a marketing PhD.

2. Accreditation

Check each school you’re considering for their regional accreditation. Some marketing programs may even have programmatic accreditation to look out for. This is an important factor in picking a reputable program that’s attractive to potential employers.

3. Mode of delivery

If you’re already a working professional, full-time, on-campus study might not be an option for you. In this case, you must look for a PhD in marketing online that offers remote learning and flexibility.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind. Weigh all your options and listen to your gut feeling in the end.

Alternatives to a Marketing Major

Marketing is a specialized discipline with well-defined objectives, needing specific skillsets. However, in today’s interconnected world, various disciplines share many of the same concepts.

You can still build a high-level career in marketing with qualifications in different fields, like:

• Advertising
• Data analytics
• Strategic management
• Analytical management
• Production management

Careers with a PhD in Marketing

A PhD in marketing can open doors to various top-level roles.

Here are some of the most common roles for professionals with a marketing doctorate, with the median annual salaries for each:

• Marketing Manager ( $67,696 )
• Market Research Analyst ( $55,742 )
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ( $156,413 )
• Professor (Marketing) ( $89,181 )

What Do You Need to Get into a Marketing Doctoral Program?

Every marketing PhD program has specific admission requirements. Always double-check by referring to the admission webpage or contacting a school representative. Usually, a master’s degree in a related field is required for admission.

Most programs will also require:

• A statement of purpose , research proposal, or both
• Letters of recommendation
• Academic resume
• GRE/GMAT scores may or may not be required

PhD Marketing vs. Master’s Degree: Which is Better?

A master’s degree in marketing is a career-oriented qualification that can propel you into a meaningful marketing career for a variety of corporations or small businesses. On other hand, marketing PhD programs are generally research-based and will give you more specialized knowledge that equips you for a career in the academic sphere.

PhDs also require a much more significant time and financial commitment.

PhD in Marketing FAQs

What can you do with a phd in marketing.

Popular career choices for marketing PhD grads include market research analysts, chief marketing officers, and marketing professors. This advanced degree will not only equip you for roles in senior management, but also the fields of research and academia.

How Many Years is a PhD in Marketing?

A PhD in marketing typically takes five years to complete. However, some universities allow you to earn your doctorate in as little as three years, though usually only if you have enough transfer credits. At the other end of the scale, your PhD may push out to up to seven years.

Is There a PhD in Marketing?

Yes. Many universities offer a PhD degree in marketing, as well as online marketing doctorate programs for working professionals. Some schools also offer a comparable DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)..

Can I Do a PhD in Marketing After an MBA?

Yes, you can do a PhD in marketing after completing an MBA. In fact, you might consider completing a DBA to be more in line with your studies.

Key Takeaways

You can access a wealth of career opportunities available with an MBA or another master’s degree . But if you want to open more doors in research and academia, a PhD in marketing is the way to go. With so many online study options, it’s easier now than ever to complete a remote degree while juggling work or a family.

If you want to explore more options for excellent advanced degrees, take a look at our guides for:

• Best online PhD in Psychology programs
• History PhD programs
• Best PhD programs in California

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Best Doctorates in Digital Marketing: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

There is a wide range of digital marketing jobs you can get if you have a doctorate. You can be a professor or researcher in academia or pursue roles in different industries. In this article, we show you the best PhDs in Digital Marketing that you can earn to advance your career. We also provide information on the best digital marketing jobs and salaries for professionals with PhDs in Digital Marketing.

What Is a PhD in Digital Marketing?

A PhD in Digital Marketing is the highest-level academic degree students can get in the field of digital marketing. This program entails more research work than coursework. Typically, doctoral programs take four to five years to complete.

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How to get into a digital marketing phd program: admission requirements.

The admission requirements for a typical PhD in Digital Marketing are an online application for the program and official transcripts from your undergraduate or graduate education. Some schools also require standardized test scores, such as GMAT or GRE. You also need to submit your resume, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

PhD in Digital Marketing Admission Requirements

• Official academic transcripts
• Test scores (GRE or GMAT)
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

Digital Marketing PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Digital Marketing?

It’s hard to get into a PhD in Digital Marketing program. Acceptance rates for doctorate programs in the marketing field are low. On average, less than 10 percent of prospective students who apply to doctoral programs in digital marketing are admitted because schools only admit a low number of students to these programs every year.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

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Best PhDs in Digital Marketing: In Brief

Best universities for digital marketing phds: where to get a phd in digital marketing.

Some of the best universities for getting a digital marketing PhD are Arizona State University, Duke University, Stanford University, The University of Texas, and University of Pennsylvania. If you’re wondering where to get the best PhDs in Digital Marketing, the following list will help you learn more about the accredited schools that offer doctoral degree programs in marketing.

Arizona State University (ASU) was first founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School in Tempe. Offering over 450 graduate degrees in fields such as arts, computing and mathematics, entrepreneurship, and healthcare, ASU welcomes more than 70,000 students every year. It has been recognized by US News & World Report as the most innovative national university . 

PhD in Marketing

ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business offers a full-time residential Doctoral Degree in Marketing. It’s designed for graduate students who want to pursue research and teaching positions in marketing. Students can choose between consumer behavior, service strategy, and quantitative marketing models specializations to concentrate their digital marketing knowledge.

PhD in Marketing Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 5-10%
• Tuition and Fees: $11,720 (in-state base tuition); $23,544 (out-of-state base tuition)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching or research assistantships, loans and other financing options, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

PhD in Marketing Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• GRE or GMAT test scores
• Undergraduate education transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency (for international students)

Drexel University is a private research university that was founded in 1891. Its LeBow College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This college offers PhD programs in economics and business, as well as an executive doctorate program in business administration. 

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization 

In this full-time PhD program, students can choose between an economics-oriented track and a behaviorally-oriented research track. Development of marketing channel systems is one of the courses where digital marketing can be covered. To graduate, students must complete 45 credits and write and defend a doctoral thesis.

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization Overview

• Program Length: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 10%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 - All admitted students are considered for research and teaching assistantships which include a full tuition waiver
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, research awards

PhD in Business with a Marketing Specialization Admission Requirements

• Minimum of 3.0 GPA in undergraduate programs and 3.3 GPA in graduate programs
• Transcripts
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Personal statement
• 2 letters of recommendation

Duke University is a private research university that was founded in 1838 in Trinity, North Carolina. The school has more than 80 Graduate School Departments, and over 3,000 graduate students are enrolled in its graduate programs. Duke University’s main goal is to give students the analytical and critical skills they need to succeed in their chosen field of study.

The PhD in Marketing at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business aims to prepare students for successful careers in research and teaching. This program covers digital marketing through the effects of Internet search agents on consumer choice. To graduate from this program, students are required to write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Tuition and Fees: $28,950/semester (years 1-3); $4,000/semester (years 4+)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition grants, research and teaching assistantships
• $95 application fee
• Academic transcripts
• Provide undergraduate GPA
• Statement of purpose essay
• English language proficiency test scores (for non-native speakers)

Georgia State University (GSU) is a public research institution founded in 1913. The university offers more than 150 graduate degree programs across nine different colleges. Innovation is central in GSU’s Graduate Schools, as the US News & World Report named it the second most innovative school in the country . 

GSU’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business prepares students for successful careers inside and outside academia. In this program, students learn to apply combined research and marketing methods to digital marketing. Its curriculum includes 15 hours of research courses, 18 hours of marketing courses, and nine hours of courses in the student’s area of interest. 

• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $4,776/semester (in state); $15,108/semester (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching and research assistantships, doctoral fellowships
• Online application and $50 application fee
• GMAT scores
• College transcripts
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Immunization records

Harvard University was the first college founded in America in 1636. Its Harvard Business School (HBS) was later established in 1908. HBS is now considered one of the best business schools in the world. It offers doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields, such as accounting, management, economics, organizational behavior, and marketing. 

PhD in Marketing 

HBS offers a full-time Doctoral Degree in Marketing, which requires a minimum of 13 courses, including economics and psychology. Its machine learning, computer science, and statistics courses are useful for digital marketing analysis and application. To graduate, students need to complete a teaching engagement, pass the special exam, and write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 (fully funded for 5 years)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid program, research support
• Online application and $105 application fee
• GRE or GMAT scores

Northwestern University is a private research institution founded in 1851. US News & World Report considers it one of the top 10 national universities in the country . It’s home to over 50 research centers and receives over $890 million annually in sponsored research awards. More than 13,000 students are currently enrolled in its 90 graduate degree programs.

This PhD in Marketing is offered through the Kellogg School of Management. It offers two concentrations in consumer behavior and quantitative marketing. It teaches students to become successful marketing researchers in various areas of marketing, including digital marketing. To earn a doctorate, students must complete 18 courses and maintain a GPA of 3.0. 

• Program Length: 4+ years
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Tuition and Fees: $18,689/quarter (8 or fewer quarters); $4,672/quarter (more than 8 quarters)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowship stipend, teaching and research assistantships, tuition scholarships
• Courses taken form
• 3 recommendation letters
• Proof of English proficiency (for international students)
• Optional writing sample

Founded in 1855, Penn State University is a public land-grant research university with 24 campuses catering to graduate and undergraduate students. The university offers more than 190 graduate degree programs and around 100 graduate certificate programs. Penn State stays on top of the research field with over $1 billion in annual research expenditures.

Penn State’s Smeal College of Business offers PhD in Marketing in three specializations in consumer behavior, marketing management, and marketing models. All three of them provide valuable learnings applicable to digital marketing. The program’s graduation requirements entail the completion of all coursework, a qualifying exam, and a thesis dissertation.

• Program Length: 3+ years
• Acceptance Rate: 15%
• Tuition and Fees: $0 - Admitted students receive a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend guaranteed for five years
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waiver, monthly stipends, research assistantships, research funding options
• $65 application fee
• GPA and coursework
• GMAT, GRE or TOEFL scores
• Work sample, such as research papers or essays

Stanford University was founded in 1885, but it didn’t open its doors to students until 1891. In 1925, the Stanford Graduate School of Business was created. Its three full-time graduate degree programs are all accredited by the AACSB. Among this school’s faculty, there are five Nobel Prize laureates and five recipients of the John Bates Clark Medal in Economics. 

Students enrolled in this PhD in Marketing degree can choose between two areas of study in behavioral marketing or quantitative marketing. Its coursework for digital marketing include deep learning, machine learning, and consumer behavior. To graduate, students must pass a field exam, submit academic papers, and complete apprenticeships and a dissertation.

• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Acceptance Rate: 3.5%
• Tuition and Fees: $56,487/three quarters (if 11-18 units per quarter); $36,720/three quarters (if 8-10 units per quarter). 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, professional development grants. All incoming doctoral students in the Marketing PhD program are provided with financial aid for five years.
• Online application
• $125 application fee
• Official transcripts
• 3 letters of reference
• TOEFL score (for international students)

Syracuse University (SU) is a private research university established in 1870. It’s accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education. SU’s graduate school offers more than 193 master’s degrees and 50 doctoral degrees across 13 schools and colleges. Over 1,400 doctoral students are currently enrolled in SU’s PhD programs.

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major

SU offers a PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major through the Whitman School of Management. It has two areas of specialization, analytical modeling and empirical analysis, for quantitative marketing. Students need to earn 72 credits to complete this program. Other graduation requirements include submitting three research papers and a thesis.

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major Overview

• Tuition and Fees: $1,802/credit hour
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Tuition waivers, yearly stipends, grants, fellowships, awards, teaching and research assistantships 

PhD in Business Administration with a Marketing Major Admission Requirements

• Recommendation letters

University of Arizona is a public land-grant research university founded in 1885. It offers more than 150 master’s degree programs and over 100 doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields. The university is known for its heavy investments in research and development, spending over $700 million in recent years.

The university’s Eller College of Management offers a full-time PhD in Marketing that prepares students for research-heavy and academic roles. Strategy, marketing models, and consumer psychology are some of the courses useful for a digital marketing career. The program’s coursework has 36 units in marketing, nine units in a minor subject, and 18 units of dissertation credits.

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• Program Length: 4-5 years
• Tuition and Fees: $14,600/academic year (in state); $34,800/academic year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching or research associateship
• $90 application fee
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students)

University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) was founded in 1868. At present, more than 5,000 graduate students are enrolled at UC Berkeley’s wide variety of doctoral degrees. The US News & World Report named UC Berkeley as the fourth-best global university in the country.

UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business offers an interdisciplinary doctoral marketing program with two areas of research in consumer behavior and quantitative marketing. Both tracks require taking courses in buyer behavior and choice modeling or marketing strategy. To get this degree, students need to pass an oral qualification exam and write and defend a dissertation.

• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Tuition and Fees: $14,442/academic year (in state); $29,238/academic year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid, scholarships, fellowships
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• $120 application fee
• GMAT or GRE test scores

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is an Ivy League research university founded in 1740. The Wharton School was established as UPenn’s first business school in 1881. The Wharton School offers nine graduate programs of study in various areas, including finance, management, and marketing. Currently, around 13,000 graduate students are enrolled in UPenn.

This interdisciplinary doctoral program in marketing offers a consumer behavior track and a quantitative track. Data analysis and research methods are some of the program’s courses, which can be best applied to digital marketing. To graduate, students need to complete a dissertation and at least 15 graduate-level course units.

• Acceptance Rate: 3%
• Tuition and Fees: $37,678/full program
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Financial aid awards, fellowships
• $80 application fee
• Official transcripts and academic history
• Personal statement essay

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public research university founded in 1969. Over 900 students are currently enrolled in the university’s doctoral degrees. UTSA is home to 32 research centers and institutes and offers a wide range of well-funded research partnerships.

UTSA offers its doctoral degree through Carlos Alvarez College of Business. This degree requires a minimum of 84 credits for students who previously obtained a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 66 credits for those with a master’s degree. Its courses that are useful for digital marketing include strategy research and experimental design.

• Tuition and Fees: $575/credit hour (in state); $1,572/credit hour (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Annual stipends, research assistantships
• $50 application fee
• Personal statement of academic goals and interests

Can You Get a PhD in Digital Marketing Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Digital Marketing online. Northcentral University and Atlantic International University are some of the schools that offer online doctoral marketing degrees. You can also get a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Marketing online. A DBA program focuses more on practical marketing applications, while a PhD program is designed for research and academic-oriented positions.

Best Online PhD Programs in Digital Marketing

How long does it take to get a phd in digital marketing.

It takes four to five years to get a PhD in Digital Marketing. Typically, students dedicate the first two or three years to completing the required coursework. During their second and third years, students are expected to complete a field exam. This exam measures their depth of knowledge and comprehension of the marketing field.

During the program’s remaining years, students must focus their efforts on research activities, a dissertation, and any additional graduation requirements. Such requirements can be to complete research or teaching assistantships. They can also be to submit academic papers to accredited publications and to participate in seminars.

Is a PhD in Digital Marketing Hard?

Yes, a PhD in Digital Marketing is hard. The average completion time of a PhD in Digital Marketing is between four and five years. The majority of doctoral degrees are full-time programs. This means that working outside while pursuing your degree won’t be possible. You’ll have to rely on funding options such as research assistantships to support yourself while you are studying.

A doctorate can also be hard because of the program’s coursework and graduation requirements, which will require a lot of hard work and dedication. In general, students have to complete courses in advanced digital marketing topics, as well as courses in complex disciplines like statistics. They also have to complete the program’s dissertation requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing?

It costs approximately $12,171 per year to get a PhD in Digital Marketing at a public institution, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The tuition for a doctoral degree at a private university can cost between $14,208 and $27,776 per year.

Many universities offer affordable graduate tuition rates. An example is Georgia State University, where in-state students pay $4,776 per semester, and out-of-state students pay $15,108 per semester. Moreover, there are plenty of funding opportunities for digital marketing PhD students.

How to Pay for a PhD in Digital Marketing: PhD Funding Options

The PhD funding options that full-time students can use to pay for a PhD in Digital Marketing are tuition waivers, fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Most schools also offer PhD students plenty of financial aid options to reduce their expenses. Some schools even provide stipends to help students with other living costs.

Best Online Master’s Degrees

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What Is the Difference Between a Digital Marketing Master’s Degree and PhD?

The difference between a digital marketing master’s degree and a PhD is the job outlook for graduates. Master’s degree programs are great for career advancement because they teach the necessary skills for various executive positions in the marketing field. PhDs are terminal degree programs designed to prepare students mostly for careers in academia.

Doctoral degrees are a necessity in a range of job roles in the academic field, such as college professor or tenure researcher. Doctorate programs take approximately five years to complete, while master’s degrees can be completed in only two years. Because of this, getting a PhD in Digital Marketing will give you more advanced knowledge of the marketing field.

Master’s vs PhD in Digital Marketing Job Outlook

Digital marketing professionals with a PhD have advanced skills and knowledge for academic positions in postsecondary education. This field has a job outlook of 12 percent . Professionals with a master’s degree can strive for a wide variety of digital marketing jobs across different industries. For example, market research analysts have a 22 percent job outlook .

Difference in Salary for Digital Marketing Master’s vs PhD

While a digital marketer with a Master’s Degree can get a median annual income of $93,000 , the average PhD in Digital Marketing salary is $106,000 per year based on PayScale data. This pay disparity exists because of the advanced skills and knowledge that a PhD graduate can offer in digital marketing roles.

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Why You Should Get a PhD in Digital Marketing

You should get a PhD in Digital Marketing because it’ll give you a proper knowledge of advanced topics and crucial research skills needed for various digital marketing jobs. Apart from gaining expertise, PhD graduates also enjoy low unemployment rates, higher salaries, and networking opportunities. Below, we discuss in detail the reasons for getting a PhD in Digital Marketing.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing

• Lower unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing professionals with a PhD have a lower unemployment rate at 2.5 percent than those with a master’s or bachelor’s degree. This can be partially because pursuing doctoral degrees make it easier for graduates to land digital marketing jobs in the academic field.
• Advanced knowledge. A PhD in Digital Marketing will give you advanced skills and knowledge. With this degree, you’ll also learn quantitative and qualitative research methods that are necessary for landing higher-paying digital marketing jobs in any field.
• Higher salary. Most companies tend to pay employees with higher education and experience more money. By earning a PhD in Digital Marketing, you’ll be able to make an annual salary of $106,000 or more, depending on your professional experience and where you work.
• Networking opportunities. A digital marketing PhD will give you plenty of opportunities to grow your professional network. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests and passions, but you can also attend conferences and seminars. These events are where you can connect with experts from all over the world.

Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing: Digital Marketing PhD Coursework

Getting a PhD in Digital Marketing is a matter of completing the required course load and any other graduation requirements. The typical PhD coursework is broken down into core digital marketing courses, courses in other disciplines, and courses focused on research or how to prepare for your dissertation. Below are a few examples of the courses that students must take.

Consumer Behavior

Consumer behavior studies are the psychological and behavioral processes that influence people’s choices when buying or consuming products and services. With this course, graduate students will better understand how cultural and psychological variables tend to influence the behavior of consumers. They’ll uncover how this can be used for effective marketing strategies.

Introduction to Econometrics

Econometrics is a discipline that combines mathematical and statistical methodologies in order to quantify economic phenomena. With this course, students will learn how to use regression methods, such as nonparametric and linear regressions, to quantify and interpret relevant data. This is useful for students that want to pursue careers in digital marketing research.

Qualitative Research Methods

In digital marketing, qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to understand phenomena that are useful in market research. With this course, PhD students will learn how to use qualitative research methods to gather data that can help in understanding all the factors and variables that influence consumers’ decisions.

Quantitative Marketing

Qualitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It’s a crucial step in statistical analysis. In this course, students will learn how to quantify and analyze the data gathered from surveys and polls answered by a target audience. This will help students draw insights based on the data gathered from market research focus groups.

Statistical Inference

Statistical inference refers to the process of deducing facts about a specific group of the population based on statistical data. This course will provide digital marketing students the skills necessary for working with statistical data. The use of statistical methods, such as statistical inference, is common in the marketing field, so it’s a crucial skill for digital marketers to learn.

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How to Get a PhD in Digital Marketing: Doctoral Program Requirements

To graduate, PhD students have to complete the doctoral program requirements. Common graduation requirements include completing the required coursework, completing the necessary teaching or researching requirements, and writing and defending a dissertation. Finishing these requirements is how to get a PhD in Digital Marketing.

Doctorate programs require students to complete the necessary coursework, as well as a minimum number of credits. Core courses include digital marketing courses and research methods courses. The coursework is meant to be finished in the first two years of the program. Students might be required to maintain a minimum GPA throughout their coursework.

Once students complete the required coursework, they are required to pass an exam meant to assess the depth of their comprehension of topics covered in the first years of the program. It’s also meant to measure the depth of advanced knowledge they learned through completing the required coursework. This examination can be a written exam or an oral examination.

PhD students are required to complete research requirements. These requirements include working as research assistants and completing a set number of hours or classes of teaching. You might also need to participate in research assistantships under experienced faculty members, participate in seminars and colloquia, and submit your research to academic journals. 

Teaching apprenticeship requirements can mean working as teaching assistants (TAs) during a set time frame from the total length of the program. Alternatively, you might need to complete a teaching engagement during a semester or a full academic year. This is a great opportunity for students who want to pursue teaching careers.

To get a PhD in Digital Marketing, you’ll have to write and defend a dissertation. Dissertations are where students show that they’re able to conduct independent research and present it in a well-organized manner. Dissertation requirements include writing a dissertation, presenting a dissertation proposal, choosing a doctoral dissertation committee, and defending the final dissertation.

Potential Careers With a Digital Marketing Degree

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PhD in Digital Marketing Salary and Job Outlook

The typical salary for marketing experts with a PhD is over $100,000 per year. There are plenty of job opportunities for PhD graduates, both in business and in the academic field. On average, there are more than 200,000 job openings for digital marketers with a PhD every year. Most marketing professions are expected to grow between eight and 14 percent in the next decade.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Digital Marketing?

With a PhD in Digital Marketing, you can apply to various senior-level positions in marketing or academia. Once you get your degree, you’ll have the skills and knowledge necessary to work in positions such as marketing manager, postsecondary education teacher, market research analyst, and public relations manager.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Digital Marketing

• College Professor
• Marketing Manager
• Market Research Analyst
• Public Relations Manager
• Postsecondary Education Administrator

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Digital Marketing?

The average annual salary for a PhD in Digital Marketing is $106,000. This salary varies depending on the specific digital media marketing field a professional decides to focus on. For example, digital marketers working in an academic environment earn an average of $96,910 per year. Marketing experts who work in marketing management earn $133,380 per year.

Highest-Paying Digital Marketing Jobs for PhD Grads

Best digital marketing jobs with a doctorate.

The best digital marketing jobs with a doctorate are marketing manager, public relations manager, postsecondary education administrator, college professor, and market research analyst. These jobs require an advanced education degree because they need experts who know digital marketing trends very well and know how to apply research methods.

In this section, we discuss an overview of the best digital marketing jobs with a doctorate. We also provide details on the salary, job outlook, and highest-paying states.

Marketing managers plan effective marketing campaigns and evaluate promotional campaigns of businesses. These professionals possess leadership skills and advanced knowledge of advertising principles needed for identifying potential target markets for a specific product or service. They create promotional campaigns for target markets. 

• Average Salary: $133,380
• Job Outlook: 10% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 316,800
• Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, California

Public relations managers create content, such as press releases, articles, draft speeches, and images for a company to reach its target audience. They also analyze the audience’s perspective of a business and create digital marketing strategies to shape or improve the business’s overall image.

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $119,860
• Job Outlook: 13% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 89,000
• Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, Virginia, New York

Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and sometimes, faculty research at private and public colleges and universities. These professionals need to have interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. They also need experience in administrative settings to perform their job.

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $96,910
• Job Outlook: 8% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 178,800
• Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, Delaware

College professors or postsecondary teachers in the digital marketing field develop outlines and syllabi for the courses they teach. They also plan individual lessons and assess their student’s progress through various assignments. 

• Salary with a Digital Marketing PhD: $79,640
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

Market research analysts have a vast knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods that are widely used in the marketing field. They also have the analytical skills required for interpreting complex data. Their main responsibility consists of evaluating the market conditions and determining the potential sales of a product or service.

• Average Salary: $63,920
• Job Outlook: 14% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 740,900
• Highest-Paying States: Washington, Delaware, New York

Is a PhD in Digital Marketing Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Digital Marketing is worth it because it provides more employment opportunities and a higher annual salary. With a doctoral degree, you can apply for academic positions, such as post-secondary education teacher or researcher. You can also apply in various industries as a marketing manager, public relations manager, or market research analyst.

Additional Reading About Digital Marketing

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PhD in Digital Marketing FAQ

Yes, you can get a PhD in Digital Marketing online. The best PhDs in Digital Marketing with a fully online format are offered by Northcentral University, Washington State University, and Trident University International. Liberty University offers online DBA programs, which have more hands-on experience than a traditional PhD in Marketing.

You should get a PhD in Digital Marketing because it’ll give you’ll learn in-demand skills and knowledge in marketing and research methods. Getting a PhD will not only ensure you earn a high annual income, but it’ll raise your chances of finding a good and rewarding job.

The digital marketing jobs that require a PhD are teaching and research positions in the academic field. If you want to pursue a career in academia, you must get a doctoral degree. While other digital marketing jobs might not require doctoral education, having a PhD will make you stand out from other candidates with a master’s or bachelor’s degree.

Yes, digital marketing is a good career choice. Digital marketers are one of the most in-demand professionals in marketing and advertising. Becoming a digital marketer will open a wide range of careers in business. The average salary of a digital marketing expert is approximately $50,000 per year, and the average PhD in Digital Marketing salary is over $100,000 per year.

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Curriculum & Coursework

Our programs are full-time degree programs which officially begin in August. Students are expected to complete their program in five years. Typically, the first two years are spent on coursework, at the end of which students take a field exam, and then another three years on dissertation research and writing.

The Marketing program draws on computer science, economics, behavioral science, and psychological methods to focus on marketing problems faced by the firm and its management. Through a combination of discipline- and field-based methods, the curriculum enables students to master concepts and research skills directly relevant to business problems. Candidates must come to understand the point of view of practicing managers and be able to bring theory and careful research to bear in illuminating important business problems.

The program requires a minimum of 13 semester-long doctoral courses. Students in the Marketing program are required to complete a year-long discipline sequence typically in microeconomics or psychology. They also complete courses in the areas of machine learning, computer science, statistics, research methods, academic field seminars, and two MBA elective curriculum courses. In addition to HBS courses, students often take courses at other Harvard Schools and MIT.

Research & Dissertation

Students in Marketing begin research in their first year typically by working with a faculty member. By their third and fourth years, most students are launched on a solid research and publication stream. The dissertation may take the form of three publishable papers or one longer dissertation.

Recent examples of doctoral thesis research include: The effects of brand extensions on the value of parent brands; Multi-method examination of the consumption of “knockoffs” of high status brands, and the counter-intuitive positive outcomes for consumer-brand relationships; Competitive analysis of pricing and quality decisions in industries with strictly complimentary products; The psychological effects of pricing, and how these affect consumers and firms; and "Choice amnesia," the motivated forgetting of difficult decisions.

Mengjie "Magie" Cheng

Ta-Wei "David" Huang

“ Finding an advisor who you really click with and who is willing to support your research interests is absolutely key. ”

Current HBS Faculty

• Tomomichi Amano
• Eva Ascarza
• Max H. Bazerman
• David E. Bell
• Alison Wood Brooks
• Julian De Freitas
• Rohit Deshpande
• Anita Elberse
• Sunil Gupta
• Ayelet Israeli
• Leslie K. John
• Elizabeth A. Keenan
• Edward McFowland III
• Navid Mojir
• Das Narayandas
• Michael I. Norton
• V. Kasturi Rangan
• Isamar Troncoso
• Jeremy Yang
• Shunyuan Zhang

Current Marketing Students

• Stuti Agarwal
• Mengjie (Magie) Cheng
• Jingpeng Hong
• Ta-Wei (David) Huang
• Jimin Nam
• Lucy Shen
• Sihan Zhai

Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest

Recent placement, emily prinsloo, 2023, ximena garcia-rada, 2021, serena hagerty, 2022, dafna goor, 2020, byungyeon kim, 2022, grant donnelly, 2018.

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Phd in marketing: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in marketing.

A PhD in Marketing is a doctoral degree that focuses on advanced marketing research and theoretical expertise. It is usually intended to prepare students for employment in academics as well as research and development in both the private and governmental sectors.

Marketing research methods, customer behavior, brand management, marketing strategy, and other related topics are typically covered in the program. Students will also be required to do independent research and write a dissertation that adds to the field’s understanding.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Marketing?

According to PayScale, the average income for a marketing professor with a PhD in the United States is roughly $95,000 per year. However, salaries can range from around $60,000 to over $150,000 per year, depending on location and type of institution.

According to Glassdoor, marketing research directors with a PhD can make an average of roughly $118,000 per year, while marketing directors with a PhD can earn an average of around $145,000 per year.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Marketing?

Individuals with a PhD in Marketing may experience different levels of job growth depending on the specific career path they choose. However, the overall job outlook for marketing professionals with advanced degrees is favorable.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of market research analysts and marketing specialists, which includes those with advanced degrees, is expected to expand 18% between 2020 and 2030, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.

This expansion is being driven by businesses’ increasing use of data and market research to strengthen their marketing strategies and remain competitive in the marketplace.

What can you do with a PhD in Marketing?

A PhD in Marketing can lead to a number of professional opportunities in academia, research, and the business sector. Following are some possible job paths for persons having a PhD in Marketing:

1. Marketing professor: With a PhD in Marketing, you can work as a marketing professor at a university or college. You will be in charge of teaching marketing courses, doing research, and producing scholarly articles.

2. Marketing researcher: As a marketing researcher, you will conduct research studies and evaluate data to assist firms in better understanding their target markets and improving their marketing strategy.

3. Marketing consultant: You will collaborate with businesses and organizations to develop and implement marketing strategies to promote their products or services as a marketing consultant.

4. Marketing manager: With a PhD in Marketing, you can work in a range of businesses as a marketing manager. You will be in charge of creating and executing marketing initiatives, managing a team of marketing specialists, and evaluating data to determine the efficiency of marketing efforts.

5. Brand manager: As a brand manager, you will be in charge of designing and managing a product or service’s brand identity. Developing marketing campaigns, doing market research, and supervising the creative production of marketing materials are all examples of what this entails.

6. Market research director: As a market research director, you will be in charge of supervising a team of market research analysts as well as conducting research studies to assist firms in better understanding their target markets.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Marketing?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in Marketing can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in Marketing must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in Marketing.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in Marketing are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

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How long does it take to get a phd in marketing.

The length of time it takes to finish a PhD in Marketing depends on a variety of factors, including program requirements, the student’s research topic, and the amount of time spent to the program. A PhD in Marketing typically takes four to six years to complete.

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Do you need a masters in marketing to get a phd in marketing.

While a master’s degree in marketing is advantageous, it is not always required to pursue a PhD in Marketing.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in a similar discipline, such as business, economics, or psychology, may be admitted to some PhD programs in marketing.

Some PhD programs, on the other hand, may have specific requirements or prerequisites that students must meet before being admitted.

Completing particular coursework in marketing or similar subjects, as well as having research experience or publications in marketing or a related field, may be required.

What are the Best PhD in Marketing Degree programs?

1. kellogg school of management at northwestern university 2. wharton school of the university of pennsylvania 3. sloan school of management at massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 4. stanford graduate school of business at stanford university 5. haas school of business at the university of california, berkeley 6. ross school of business at the university of michigan 7. marshall school of business at the university of southern california 8. mccombs school of business at the university of texas at austin 9. fuqua school of business at duke university 10. tepper school of business at carnegie mellon university, leave a comment cancel reply.

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