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Marketing communications program manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a marketing communications program manager. Marketing communications program managers usually study business, communication, or marketing. 84% of marketing communications program managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 244 real marketing communications program manager resumes to see exactly what marketing communications program manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for marketing communications program managers are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.

There are also many online marketing communications program manager courses to help get the education required to be a marketing communications program manager.

What education do you need to become a marketing communications program manager?

What degree do you need to be a marketing communications program manager?

The most common degree for marketing communications program managers is bachelor's degree, with 84% of marketing communications program managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 84%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Doctorate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 0%

What should I major in to become a marketing communications program manager?

You should major in business to become a marketing communications program manager. 18% of marketing communications program managers major in business. Other common majors for a marketing communications program manager include communication and marketing.

Most common colleges for marketing communications program managers

Marketing communications program managers often get their degrees at San Jose State University, University of California, Santa Barbara, and University of Southern California. Here are the most common colleges for marketing communications program managers in the US based on their resumes.
Marketing communications program manager common collegePercentages
San Jose State University10.91%
University of California, Santa Barbara7.27%
University of Southern California7.27%
Texas A&M University5.45%
Ohio State University5.45%

Best majors for marketing communications program managers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business18.2%
2Communication17.0%
3Marketing15.9%
4Journalism8.0%
5English7.4%

Best colleges for marketing communications program managers

The best colleges for marketing communications program managers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

A marketing communications program manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for marketing communications program managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become marketing communications program managers.

1. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

20 best online courses for marketing communications program managers

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Gain an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and marketing analytics. Analyze data and build models with Excel, Data Studio, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...

5. Program Communications Management in ClickUp

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By the end of this guided project, you will be fluent in creating Program Communications artefacts for the Identification/Planning Phase for diverse programs. You will utilise a logical diagramming plan in an agile environment to develop the solution. This will enable you to identify and classify the required components for communication management. Furthermore, it will help develop a structural model for learning about the field of Program Management. If you are interested in building up the...

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In a world driven by big data, it is crucial to understand how valuable information can be extracted from large volumes of data. Further, it is pivotal to utilize information to its full potential. This not only requires one to extract value from data but also to effectively communicate the information obtained. The Business Data Management and Communication Specialization is tailored to deliver a well-balanced curriculum that focuses on all three aspects - Understanding Data, Extracting...

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20. Business Communication Skills: Business Writing & Grammar

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Top 10 most affordable universities for marketing communications program managers

The most affordable schools for marketing communications program managers are University of Florida, suny farmingdale, and fashion institute of technology.

If the best universities for marketing communications program managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for marketing communications program managers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for marketing communications program managers

The hardest universities for marketing communications program managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for marketing communications program managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for marketing communications program managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for marketing communications program managers

The easiest schools for marketing communications program managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, university of the incarnate word, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a marketing communications program manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for marketing communications program managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

Average marketing communications program manager salary by education level

Marketing communications program managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $97,790 annually. With a Master's degree, marketing communications program managers earn a median annual income of $94,530 compared to $85,875 for marketing communications program managers with an Bachelor's degree.
Marketing communications program manager education levelMarketing communications program manager salary
Master's Degree$94,530
Bachelor's Degree$85,875
Doctorate Degree$97,790

Marketing communications program manager education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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