Is a Marketing Degree a Better Value Than a General Business Degree?

Are you wondering if a marketing degree has a better value than general business degree? It depends on your interest and career goal. Read on, and determine what proportion weight a marketing degree will hold compared to a general business degree.

TCM Staff

15th September 2020

We must first entail the advantages and disadvantages of each degree before we provide an educated opinion on what could be considered marginally better. How a degree majoring in marketing will help you when it comes to your career depends entirely on the profession that you are pursuing and where you would like to take your career in the future.

Is a marketing degree of higher value than a business degree?

We must first entail the benefits and drawbacks of every degree before we offer an informed opinion on what might be considered marginally better. How a degree majoring in marketing will assist you when it involves your career depends entirely on the profession that you simply are pursuing and where you'd wish to take your career within the future. If you would like to form the proper choice before you begin filling out college applications or before you spend years studying for the incorrect degree, it's important that you simply do your research. Read on, and determine what proportion weight a marketing degree will hold compared to a general business degree. 

An overview of a marketing degree

  • A marketing degree would prepare an aspiring candidate to enter the creative and sometimes competitive world developing, selling, and promoting certain products.

  • Marketing is the study and management of exchange relationships. It is the business process of identifying, anticipating, and satisfying customers' needs and wants.

  • The main motive behind receiving a degree in marketing is being able to successfully conduct exchanges within a market between various willing participants. 

An overview of a business degree

  • A business degree would enable you to run and manage a business, this would make you responsible for its financial and fiscal wellbeing.

  • There are two main types of business degrees: those that cover a broad spectrum of business-related subjects, and those which focus more specifically on a narrower strand.

  • Typically business degrees last three or four years at the undergraduate level (depending on the country and program), and a further one or two years at master’s level.

Is a marketing degree more valuable than a business degree?

In all honesty, a marketing degree and a business degree are inherently similar, although they have certain differences regarding the course load and requirements. The value of a marketing or business degree is entirely dependent on your areas of interest and employment opportunities. Before we answer the above question we will go on to differentiate between them in every possible way using a variety of criteria. 

Types of degrees available

Marketing

  • Associates degree programs (2 years or less)

  • Bachelor degree programs (3 to 4 years)

  • Masters degree programs ( 4 to 6 years)

Business

  • Associates Degree (2 years or less)

  • Bachelor’s Degree (3 to 4 years)

  • Masters Degree (less than 2 years)

  • Doctorate Degree (4 to 6 years)

Skill and concept training

The skills and concepts on which students are trained in a marketing degree are as follows.

  • Honesty—be forthright in dealing with customers and stakeholders

  • Responsibility—accept the consequences of marketing decisions and strategies

  • Fairness—balance the needs of the buyer with the interests of the seller

  • Respect—acknowledge the basic human dignity of all stakeholders

  • Transparency—create a spirit of openness in marketing operations

  • Citizenship—fulfill the economic, philanthropic and societal responsibilities that serve stakeholders

The skills and concepts on which students are trained in a business degree are as follows.

  • Strong people skills

  • Attention to details

  • Interest in organizational systems

  • Negotiation skills

  • The ability to focus

What are the educational requirements to join a marketing and business degree?

  • Undergraduate: A strong college preparatory high school education is a good start for any business degree program. Courses in English, writing, communications, business and social sciences are recommended, 

  • Graduate: A completed, four-year bachelor's degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing or a related field will prepare you for graduate school.

  • GRE and GMAT: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is not required for admission to degree programs in the U.S. However, you may submit a score for review with your admission materials.

Career Opportunities

There are a wide variety of job opportunities that await many graduates from both marketing and business programs. The employment rate of these degree holders is increasing every year.

A few job roles associated with a marketing degree are as follows.

Event Planner

Fundraiser

Sales representative

Marketing Coordinator

Market Research Analyst 

Social media manager

Admissions Representative

Media Planner

Marketing operations 

Product Manager

PR Head

Sales specialist 

 

A few job roles associated with a business degree are as follows.

Accountant

Business Consultant

Public Relations

Retail

Insurance

Risk Management

Human Resources

Media

Tax

 

Earning potential

For a marketing degree holder:

  • As with almost all careers, the higher degree you hold, the higher your salary: A bachelor's degree can add $2,000 to $5,000 or more per year in earning potential, while an MBA can add yet another $7,000 to $11,000, though many MBAs start out in higher-level management jobs with more responsibility, and consequently earn a larger salary.

  • The BLS reports that the upper 10 percent of marketing managers earned more than $208,000, as did managers in advertising and promotions. Market research analysts in the top ten percent earned more than $121,720.

For a business degree holder:

  • As with almost all careers, the higher degree you hold, the higher your salary: A bachelor's degree in business can add $2,000 to $5,000 or more per year in earning potential, while an MBA  can add yet another $7,000 to $11,000, though many MBAs start out in higher-level management jobs with more responsibility, and consequently earn a larger salary that may include a bonus package.

Conclusion

Is a marketing Degree More Valuable than a Business Degree? The answer to this question is- “it depends on your interest and your career goal”. Here are a few takeaway points that are helpful.

  • There are certain course subjects that are common for both degrees.

  • There is a wide variety of job opportunities and it is observed that there is an increasing employment rate for both the degrees.

  • The job duties, responsibilities, and skills to it are a little different for marketing and business professionals. 

  • There is a small variation in salary for most of the marketing and business entry-level jobs.

You might also be interested to read: 

Types of Business Degrees

Is a general business degree better value than one that focuses on a particular field

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