In light of the recently released NPD Group’s digital marketing economic report, let’s examine the value of various online marketing classes.

Marketing Management

According to the report, the average cost of a marketing management degree is $16,400 per year. While you might assume that the cost of a marketing degree would be higher, the report cites a 20% drop in the price of this degree compared to last year. Perhaps the current pandemic has lowered the demand for management specialists, causing schools to accept lower-than-usual enrollment.

Depending on your major, you’ll earn between $16,000 and $24,000 per year. While this is a decent wage, you might look at the cost of a marketing degree compared to other industries and decide that it’s not worth it.

Marketing Analytics

According to the report, the average cost of a marketing analytics degree is $20,600 per year. As with marketing management, the price of a marketing analytics degree has dropped significantly compared to last year, but it remains high compared to the cost of a typical business degree. Analytics is a hot field right now, and with the rise of popular programs like Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and Facebook Analytics, more students are seeking this path to success.

Like marketing management, marketing analytics degrees start at the lower end of the spectrum and progress to the higher end. The starting annual salary for a marketing analytics degree is roughly $16,000, and the higher your degree, the greater your earning potential. A good analytics degree can get you started in life as a digital marketer, content strategist, or digital marketing manager, some of the most in-demand occupations in the field.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

You wouldn’t typically think of SEO when you think about getting a marketing degree, but according to the NPD Group report, people are searching for “search engine optimization” more than any other phrase or phrase pair. Not too long ago, SEO was enough of a skill set that you could become independent as a contractor, specializing in search engine optimization. However, with the rise of digital marketing as a viable career choice, SEO is no longer a profitable skill on its own.

The average cost of an SEO degree is $17,400 per year. It starts at the lower end of the market, earning you between $13,000 and $20,000 per year. One perk of getting an SEO degree is that you’ll learn how to become a specialist in the field. Your work might even get you noticed by large search engines, which could put you on the road to an independent career. However, as with any degree, there are many different paths you can take after getting an SEO degree, so you might not want to rush into a decision.

Online Marketing Degrees: The Evolving Market

NPD Group notes that while the cost of an online marketing degree has decreased, the competition has also increased. According to the firm, there are now more than 600,000 job openings in the field. That’s a lot of competition for a traditional marketing degree.

But the good news is that with the increase in digital marketing, there are more opportunities than ever before. In fact, you don’t necessarily need an online marketing degree to become a successful digital marketer. Many successful digital marketers either have a background in traditional marketing or learned the ropes on the job. Either way, the demand for skilled digital marketers is here now, and thanks to the internet, there are more opportunities than ever before.

Ultimately, what will make the most difference is whether or not you can convince employers that you’re better suited for the role based on your education and training. While none of us like paying for a degree, it’s important to recognize that the college education you finance is a good investment in your future. It might not be a popular opinion, but it’s nonetheless true: A college education doesn’t cost much, and it certainly doesn’t cost much if you’re willing to complete the degree program. So if you’re in college or are about to enter college, consider your options and the evolving market before you commit. There are many ways to finance your higher education, and with the right planning and budgeting, you could do so without incurring too much debt. Good luck!