The creative advertising industry is booming. Choosing the best schools for advertising requires some research and understanding of what career you want to pursue. While the best advertising colleges offer the same basic foundation, they have a wide range of core and elective options for advertising students.
The best advertising schools offer a way to build your professional portfolio before graduation and feature internships and flexible learning opportunities. Continue reading to find the best advertising universities and school rankings, as well as some of the top career options available to graduates.
Best Advertising College and University Rankings: Top 10 Advertising Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | NY | In-person, online | #17 |
| Duke University | NC | In-person, online | #9 |
| Georgetown University | DC | In-person, online | #23 |
| Michigan State University | MI | In-person, online | #83 |
| Northwestern University | IL | In-person | #9 |
| Pennsylvania State University | PA | In-person, online | #63 |
| Pepperdine University | CA | In-person, online | #49 |
| Syracuse University | NY | In-person | #59 |
| University of Arizona | AZ | In-person | #103 |
| University of Texas at Austin | TX | In-person | #38 |
Advertising School Rankings: Best Advertising Colleges and Universities
The best advertising colleges and universities offer in-person, online, and hybrid learning formats. These colleges offer competitive degree options and are all nationally recognized by their US News and Times Higher Education rankings.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs
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The Best Schools for Advertising: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The best schools for advertising will offer different types on degrees and certificates. The program you will choose to pursue will depend on your career goals after college. You may consider starting with a community college certificate or an associate degree. You can then pursue a bachelor’s and explore the numerous graduate degree options available in the field.
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Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Advertising Schools: Other Advertising University Rankings
The best advertising schools offer in-person and online courses and feature flexible options like double majors or dual degrees or accelerated programs. Below we’ll explore additional top advertising university rankings, from community colleges to graduate schools.
Best Online Advertising Schools
- Duke University. Duke University offers highly-rated online programs that focus on international marketing grounded in the region of the world where the advertising or marketing campaign is delivered.
- Pennsylvania State University. Pennsylvania State University offers both in-person and online courses provided by its virtual Penn State World Campus. The university offers flexibility in both methods, and students can choose to begin their degree on campus and finish online.
- Pepperdine University. Pepperdine University offers an entirely online Master of Business Administration option. It differs from the in-person master’s degree option by lasting 24 months and focusing on slightly different concepts of advertising.
Best Community Colleges for Advertising
- Elgin Community College. Elgin Community College is located in Illinois and is known for its marketing program. The college has numerous transfer agreements with other top universities and offers both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees in Marketing.
- Nassau Community College. Located in Garden City, New York, Nassau Community College is a top community college in the United States. The school offers an Associate of Science Degree in Marketing that prepares students for entry-level careers or bachelor’s degree curricula through experiential learning methods.
- Tulsa Community College. Tulsa Community College is the largest community college in Oklahoma and has been ranked fifth in the US for marketing associate degree programs. The college offers Associate in Applied Science in Business and Marketing and Associate in Science in Marketing degree programs.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Advertising
- Cornell University. Cornell’s Ivy League undergraduate program focuses on training students in critical marketing skills. Cornell also features marketing analytics and advertising career placement opportunities for enrolled students.
- Georgetown University. Georgetown’s undergraduate marketing programs teach students about key advertising skills like brand management, consumer behavior, and strategy analytics. The program features a comprehensive curriculum with a balance of theoretical, analytical, and practical skills and concepts.
- Syracuse University. The advertising BS degree at Syracuse focuses on the role advertising plays in a diverse, global society. Students enjoy additional resources offered by the university, including career support from the Newhouse Career Development Center and hands-on advertising practice in numerous student-run media publications.
Best Graduate Schools for Advertising
- Michigan State University. Michigan State University features top-quality advertising education in both master’s and PhD degree programs. Each program allows students to curate their own curriculum content in specializations and concepts that interest them most.
- Northwestern University. Northwestern University offers master’s and PhD programs that focus on engaging consumers and solving marketing challenges. They are unique in that they are STEM-designated and examine the science behind the field of advertising.
- University of Texas at Austin. The graduate programs offered by the University of Texas focus on creative and immersive studies and assist students in curating top-notch portfolios. The university is the only school in the US to offer a PhD in Advertising.
Best Advertising Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Drexel University | MBA/Master of Science in Marketing. Drexel University offers a dual degree option with any Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, wherein students can share up to 15 credits across both degrees.
- Indiana University | Online MBA/Online MS in Marketing. Indiana University offers a dual master’s degree option that allows students to complete two master’s degrees in 66 credit hours instead of the typical 81 hours. An MBA can be coupled with a Master of Science in Marketing, and both degrees can be completed fully online.
- University of Texas at Austin | MBA/MA in Advertising. At the University of Texas, graduate students can enroll in a dual degree program in advertising while pursuing an MBA simultaneously.
Best Schools With Accelerated Advertising Programs
- Bentley University | Bachelor of Science in Marketing and MBA. Bentley University offers the Advanced Standing in Business accelerated program, which allows students to replace four undergraduate courses with graduate coursework and thereby shortening the first year of the following master’s program.
- Duke University | Accelerated Daytime MBA with Marketing Concentration. Duke’s Accelerated Daytime MBA program allows students to earn an MBA degree within ten months, and marketing is offered as a specialization area.
- Southern New Hampshire University | Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Southern New Hampshire University’s accelerated program allows students to take graduate courses while completing their bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate tuition rate. The courses can then be put toward a master’s degree.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Advertising Worth It?
No, graduate school for advertising is not worth it. Earning your bachelor’s degree is enough to get started in the field and gain valuable experience that will, in turn, help your job prospects. However, for those that wish to teach in universities, graduate school for a PhD program is worth it.
What Jobs Can You Do With an Advertising Degree?
The jobs you can do with an advertising degree include marketing analyst, creative director, and brand manager roles. The best advertising schools will prepare you for a career in these jobs, and they can help tailor your education to land the position of your dreams.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Advertising?
A degree in advertising will enable you to earn a comfortable living with a chance to make more as you gain experience in the field. Those with an Associate Degree in Advertising earn $65,000 annually on average, according to PayScale. Advertising bachelor’s degree holders earn a yearly salary of $61,000 on average, while those with a Master’s Degree in Advertising have an average wage of $70,000 per year.
Highest-Paying Advertising Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $142,860 |
| User Experience Director | Bachelor’s Degree | $140,124 |
| Marketing Manager | Master’s Degree | $135,030 |
| Art Director | Bachelor’s Degree | $100,890 |
| Public Relations Manager | Master’s Degree | $119,860 |
| Advertising Account Director | Bachelor’s Degree | $98,949 |
| Creative Director | Bachelor’s Degree | $90,875 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | Doctorate | $79,640 |
| Interactive Art Director | Bachelor’s Degree | $79,508 |
| Market Research Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $63,920 |
Best Jobs With an Advertising Degree
The best jobs with an advertising degree include art director, advertising account director, and creative director positions. You don’t need to have a graduate degree to do well in advertising, as you can work in the field with different degree levels.
How Can I Pay for Advertising School?
You can pay for advertising school by taking advantage of federal grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans. Earning a degree is not cheap, and the high cost can make it difficult to pursue a higher education program. Understanding your payment options can help you plan and budget for the costs.
- Federal grants. Federal grants are government-granted forms of financial aid based on financial need and income level. You must fill out a FAFSA application online in order to be considered for aid.
- Scholarships. Scholarships are forms of aid that don’t have to be repaid. They are awarded based on academic performance or essays.
- Work-study. Like grants, work-study programs require a federal aid application. If approved, students can work on campus to earn money to pay for expenses.
- Student loans. Student loans are a form of aid to help cover costs upfront. The loans are fixed rates and don’t have to be repaid until after you graduate.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Advertising School for You
In order to choose the best advertising school for you, you should consider important factors like format, reputation, and degree levels offered. By knowing what to look for, you can pick the best college to complete your advertising degree.
Format
Do you want to study in person or do you need the flexibility of an online course? The learning format of a program is important. Online schools offer flexibility that in-person classes don’t, allowing you to work around your schedule and in your own home.
Reputation of a Program
The reputation of the advertising program can make a difference in the quality of education you receive. A program with a poor reputation won’t give you the qualifications and networking opportunities you’ll need to succeed and may keep you from working for desired companies.
Degree Levels Offered
While a graduate degree isn’t necessary to get ahead in an advertising position, you might want to get more than just a bachelor’s degree. If so, you’ll want to find a school with multiple degree options or accelerated programs that allow you to complete undergraduate and graduate coursework simultaneously.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Advertising?
Yes, the college you attend for advertising does matter. You’ll want to find a school with a good reputation and highly-ranked programs. Additionally, it would be best to look for a college that helps secure internships or offers portfolio building.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Advertising University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Advertising
We ranked the best advertising schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our advertising university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of advertising degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Advertising
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Best Advertising Schools FAQ
Yes, advertising is a college major. However, some schools combine advertising courses with marketing program coursework, so you will not find advertising as a major. While there is an overlap in advertising and marketing, some schools offer advertising-specific degree programs.
Some of the concepts you’ll learn in an advertising degree program include consumer behavior, content creation, and engaging in the international market. You will also learn key communication and presentation skills that are important for nearly all career paths. Moreover, you can work on various projects and build an advertising portfolio to show to hiring managers.
Yes, some programs will require you to study math as a part of your advertising degree. If you are enrolled in a marketing or business-focused program, you will need to understand financial and managerial accounting, statistics, and economics. However, advertising-specific programs are typically more focused on content creation and art rather than finance and math.
No, it is not hard to get a job in advertising. According to BLS, the job growth rate for advertising and marketing managers is expected to increase by 10 percent by 2030. However, it is a competitive field, and having a relevant degree and significant experience is important if you want to have access to the highest-paying advertising careers.
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