Marketing vs communications degree: Which master's is right for you? | edX

Communications vs marketing: Choosing the right master’s for your career goalsPlanning to advance your career in digital media and/or storytelling? Discover the difference between marketing and communications master’s degrees in our guide.Create an accountBy: Amanda Phagan , Edited by: Marie Custodio CollazoPublished: August 19, 2025If 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 in our guide.Difference between marketing and communications master’s degrees Master’s in marketing Master’s in communications A curriculum that emphasizes market strategies, consumer behavior, branding, and salesA curriculum that emphasizes media literacy, organizational communication, public discourse, and communication theoriesFor those who enjoy data-driven problem solving, influencing consumer decisions, and exploring the power of brandingFor those who enjoy strategic storytelling, facilitating conversations, and studying the impact of various forms of media on the publicBest prepares you for mid-level to senior roles in digital marketing, advertising, market research/analysis, SEO, and/or content creationBest prepares you for mid-level to senior roles in public relations (PR), crisis communications, event planning, and/or corporate communicationMarketing vs. communications master's degreesIn 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.What is a marketing communications master's degree?A marketing communications master's degree combines key principles of advanced marketing and communications studies to prepare students for mid-to-senior-level roles that involve business communications, storytelling, integrated marketing strategy, branding, and digital media. At the master's level, a marketing communications degree often incorporates media theory, integrated campaign development, and leadership skills.Communications vs. marketing master's degree costAccording 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 for marketing vs. communications master's degreesMaster's in marketingIn 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 marketingMarketing managementBrandingMarket researchContent creationMarketing analyticsEthical marketing strategyMaster's in communicationsMaster'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 the latest trends, techniques, and technologies necessary to succeed in an evolving field. Some of your coursework may cover:Strategic communicationsMedia managementData-driven journalismWeb and mobile story productionResearch methodsLeadershipBusiness managementProgram outcomesBoth 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 marketingSome of the jobs you can get with a master's in marketing may include:Marketing or advertising managersMarket research analystsArt directorsMarketing executivesAccording to 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 communicationsSome of the jobs you can get with a master's in communications include:JournalistPR managerProfessorCommunications executiveNCES reports the average adjusted gross income for communications and journalism master's graduates in 2020 as $45,392.Salary and career outlook Marketing roles Communications roles Advertising, promotions, and marketing managersMedian annual salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advertising, promotions, and marketing managers made a median annual salary of $159,660 in May 2024.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 analystsMedian annual salary: Per the BLS, market research analysts made a median annual salary of $76,950 in May 2024.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.Public relations specialistsMedian annual salary:The BLS reports that public relations specialists made a median annual salary of $69,780 in 2024.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 2023–33News analysts, reporters, and journalistsMedian annual salary: According to the BLS, news analysts, reporters, and journalists made a median annual salary of $60,280 in 2024.Career outlook: Due to a decreased demand for traditional journalism, news analyst, reporter, and journalist jobs are projected to decline by 3% from 2023–33Marketing 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 or write a byline from the perspective of a CEO? Are you more interested in interpreting data or telling a story? Would you prefer to build an advertising campaign or an editorial calendar?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.Frequently asked questions about marketing vs. communicationsMarketing vs. communications master's: Which has better earning potential?Marketing jobs generally offer higher earning potential than communications roles. However, senior communications roles in highly profitable industries such as pharmaceuticals and finance can also offer significant earning potential. Your individual earnings after completing a master’s program depend on your employer, role, industry, and level of hands-on experience.Can a master's in communications lead to marketing leadership roles?Yes. While employers may prefer to fill marketing leadership roles with marketing graduates, master’s in communications graduates sometimes find themselves in marketing roles. Strategic storytelling, business acumen, and strong written and verbal communication skills are valuable in marketing and communications leadership roles.Is a master's degree in marketing or communications worth it?Since marketing and communications jobs are projected to grow in the years to come, upskilling and/or reskilling in these quickly evolving areas may be wise. Earning a marketing or communications master’s degree may be worth it if doing so will likely lead to higher-paying roles with more seniority. However, program ROI depends on various factors, including program cost and your post-graduate salary.Share this articleShare on FacebookShare on XShare on LinkedinShare on Email