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Best 19 Affordable Marketing Certificate Programs in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

Marketing Certificate
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Every hot new viral product is a success story for marketing. Skilled professionals in this field know how to generate interest in services or products, making their talents a must-have for companies across the country. Marketing, advertising, and promotions careers are expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years, with the average marketing manager salary at $136,850 per year.

What Jobs Can A Marketing Certificate Attract?

Certificate programs can get your foot in the door of the marketing field with entry-level positions as marketing assistants or sales representatives. Those with existing academic degrees or career experience can aim for mid-level management jobs as managers in marketing, sales, or advertising. Some schools offer very specific subjects, such as Social Media Marketing. The type of certificate you earn will determine which career you attract, so make sure to research the programs thoroughly to find the right fit. 

Top 5 Affordable Marketing Certificate Programs

Rank School Location
1Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeChandler, Arizona
2Athens Technical CollegeAthens, Georgia
3Houston Community CollegeHouston, TX
4Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, Kansas
5Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, North Carolina

How Much Education Is Needed For A Career In Marketing?

Many companies prefer candidates that have an associate’s degree in marketing or a related field such as business. However, those with existing entry-level experience in management may also be considered. A certificate in marketing is a good way to show you have the skill to handle the position.

If you’re interested in earning your marketing certificate online, use our Degree Finder tool to search for a program that fits your needs!

Technical and community colleges offer certificate programs in virtually every region of the United States. We gathered a list of 20 schools from metropolitan areas across the country and ranked them by affordability. Check out our list below to get an idea of the best value programs in your area. 

Best 19 Affordable Marketing Certificate Programs

1

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

  • Chandler, Arizona
  • Points: 90

Located in a suburb of Phoenix, Chandler-Gilbert Community College offers a certificate of completion in Social Media Marketing. The program can be completed in 1 semester (full-time) or 2 semesters (part-time). Courses can be taken in person or online.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $85 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $326 per credit hour (for out-of-state residents residing in Arizona)
Out-Of-State Tuition: $441 per credit hour (out of county rate)
Program length: 17-18 credit hours
Visit School Website
2

Athens Technical College

  • Athens, Georgia
  • Points: 88

Athens Technical College features several certificate programs under its Marketing Management program. Available certificates include Marketing Specialist, Retail Merchandise Manager, and Small Business Marketing Manager. Admission into any of these programs requires submission of valid high school or GED transcripts and proof of legal presence in the U.S.

The Marketing Management program and Business management program are ACBSP accredited. Not many TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) schools or Marketing Programs worldwide have this rating while being this affordable.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $100 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $200 per credit hour
Length: 12 credit hours (For the Marketing Specialist program)
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3

Houston Community College

  • Houston, TX
  • Points: 83

Houston Community College (HCC) provides a marketing program that focuses on students and up-to-date courses to prepare them for a career in marketing. HCC offers three marketing certificate programs: Marketing – Certificate Level 1, Marketing – Retailing – Certificate Level 1, and Marketing – Social Enterprise – Certificate Level 1. HCC is the only public associate degree-granting institution in Houston that is accredited by ACBSP.

School Overview

In-State Tuition (school-wide): $4,152 per year
Out-Of-State Tuition (school-wide): $5,268 per year
Length: 21-24 credit hours
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4

Johnson County Community College

  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Points: 77

JCCC provides a Digital Marketing certificate through its marketing management courses. Students will learn how to engage consumers through eMarketing and online retailing. Skills in photo manipulation, html, and css are also taught in this program. Nearly every course can be taken in person or online.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $94 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $223 per credit hour
Length: 19 credit hours
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5

Fayetteville Technical Community College

  • Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Points: 74

FayTech’s business administration program awards a certificate in E-Marketing. Students can expect to take courses in operating computers, social media marketing, and e-commerce. Admissions requirements include a high school diploma and a placement exam. This course may be completed within 2 semesters.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $76 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $268 per credit hour
Length: 18 credit hours
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6

Saint Paul College

  • Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • Points: 66

The Social Media Marketing program at Saint Paul College teaches students how to engage customers through popular platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Classes can be taken at full or part-time status during the day, evening, or Saturdays. Delivery formats include in-class, online, and hybrid.

School Overview

U.S. Resident Tuition: $171 per credit hour
Length: 17 credit hours
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7

Ozarks Technical Community College

  • Springfield, Missouri
  • Points: 62

OTC offers a Business and Marketing Certificate of Achievement program. The program teaches a general business foundation with marketing principles suitable for entry-level work in business. This certificate can be earned fully online.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $117 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $210 per credit hour
Length: 30 credit hours
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8

Madison Area Technical College

  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • Points: 60

MATC’s business area of study features 4 certificates and technical diplomas in the marketing field. Digital Marketing is a technical diploma program that is 2 semesters long. Marketing-Social Media is a technical diploma that may be completed in 1 semester. Digital Marketing Leadership – Advanced and Marketing Essentials for the Business Professional are certificate programs that may be completed in a single semester.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $139 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $208 per credit hour
Length: 27 credit hours (for the Digital Marketing program)
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9

Bellingham Technical College

  • Bellingham, Washington
  • Points: 54

The business management program at Bellingham Technical College offers a certificate in Social Media Marketing. This program can be taken in any quarter, including Summer. Applicants must pass a reading, writing, and math assessment before admission and must demonstrate basic understanding of online technology and marketing concepts.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $117 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $295 per credit hour
Length: 20 credit hours
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10

Ensign College

  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Points: 49
Outdoor view of Ensign College campus

Ensign College is a private college owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They grant certificates in Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing. Both courses may be completed within 2 semesters. It’s important to note that tuition for this college is determined by church member status and not residency. Ensign College has a certificate-first approach designed to prepare students quickly with a skills-based certificate within their first two semesters. Certificates can be combined with other coursework to earn Associate and Bachelor’s degrees.

School Overview

Church Member Tuition: $148 per credit hour
Non-Church Member Tuition: $296 per credit hour
Length: 15 credit hours
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11

Kirkwood Community College

  • Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • Points: 46

Kirkwood Community College offers 2 marketing industry certificates: Retail Marketing and Social Media Marketing. Retail marketing can be earned within a single semester. Social Media Marketing may be earned in 2 semesters. Courses may be offered at other Kirkwood campuses across the state of Iowa.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $180 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $237 per credit hour
Length: 18 credit hours (for the Social Media Marketing program)
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12

Portland Community College

  • Portland, Oregon
  • Points: 45

Portland Community College awards a 1-year Certificate in Marketing program. Students will learn business technology, accounting, and marketing topics such as social media marketing. Classes may be taken entirely online or in a hybrid format at the Cascade, Rock Creek, Southeast, or Sylvania campuses.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $123 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $258 per credit hour
Length: 46 credit hours
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13

Aims Community College

  • Greeley, Colorado
  • Points: 45

Certificates from Aims Community College include Marketing Basics and Marketing/Management. Marketing Basics is a short beginner level program designed to teach a basic knowledge of the field. The longer Marketing/Management certificate is designed to give students a strong foundation to pursue entry-level positions in management.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $106 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $425 per credit hour
Length: 25 credit hours
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14

College of Eastern Idaho

  • Idaho Falls, Idaho
  • Points: 40

The business program at the College of Eastern Idaho features Advanced Technical Certificate in Marketing and Management. The advanced program is about 22 months long for full-time students.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $179 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $258 per credit hour
Length: 24 credit hours
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15

Miami Dade College

  • Miami, Florida
  • Points: 36

Miami Dade College offers several marketing certificate programs: Business Operations – Marketing, Business Specialist – Marketing, Digital Marketing Specialist, Digital Marketing Strategy, and Marketing Operations. These are College Credit Certificates that may be applied towards degrees from the college. Each program takes from 16 weeks to 1 year to complete.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $118 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $402 per credit hour
Length: 30 credit hours (for the Marketing Operations program)
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16

Mott Community College

  • Flint, Michigan
  • Points: 34

Mott Community College’s business division awards a certificate in Marketing Management. Students in the program will take specialty courses in subjects like business sales, management principles, and advertising. When taken full-time, this program takes about 1 to 1.5 years to complete.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $170 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $273 per credit hour
Length: 30 credit hours
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17

Casper College

  • Casper, Wyoming
  • Points: 33

The marketing program at Casper College offers a certificate that may be earned in 9 months. Experience gained through the program will prepare students for entry-level jobs in fields such as retail, direct sales, or customer service. Students may also receive credit towards the school’s Associate of Science in Marketing degree.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $137 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $335 per credit hour
Length: 31 credit hours
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18

Clark State College

  • Springfield, Ohio
  • Points: 28
Group of college students studying

Students of all ages, backgrounds and academic abilities are welcome at Clark State College. Convenient campus locations, low cost and academic programs are some of the most important reasons why students decide to enroll at Clark State. Every student who graduates from Clark State is sure to have the background, qualifications and confidence to succeed.

Clark State provides a Marketing Departmental Certificate for entry-level employment or applied credit towards an associate degree. The program takes approximately one and a half years to complete. Learning formats include in-classroom instruction at the Beavercreek or Springfield – Leffel Lane locations, or fully online. The caring environment and small class sizes will help you achieve your life and career goals. Registration is open year-round, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. Learn more today!

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $165.33 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $302.66 per credit hour
Length: 34 credit hours
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19

Thomas Edison State University

  • Trenton, New Jersey
  • Points: 20

Thomas Edison State University offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. This certificate serves as a basic foundation in the field of marketing, as well as a launchpad into TESU’s marketing degree program. The program can be completed in 1-2 semesters.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $399 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $519 per credit hour
Length: 18 credit hours
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20

Three Rivers Community College

  • Norwich, Connecticut
  • Points: 13

The marketing certificate program at TRCC includes specialization courses in selling, advertising, public relations, and social media marketing. The program takes approximately 1 to 1.5 years to complete. Students may take classes on campus during the day or evening, or fully online.

School Overview

In-State Tuition: $284 per credit hour
Out-Of-State Tuition: $792 per credit hour
Length: 28 credit hours
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Looking for more online learning opportunities? Use our handy site tools to find your online marketing certificate program.

Our Ranking Methodology

We gathered tuition data directly from each school’s website. Tuition cost made up 80% of our grade, with 40% in-state and 40% out-of-state estimated cost. We did not include the cost of variable expenses such as housing or materials.

Credit program length was also obtained directly from each school’s site. Where there were multiple programs offered, we attempted to use the longest or most relevant program for our dataset. Length made up 20% of the ranking. The maximum possible award was 100 points.

If you work for a school listed above and notice an error in our data, please reach out to us so we can make a correction. 

Find the program that’s right for you

Whether you’re trying to start your career or make a big change, we can help you find the perfect school to help you reach your goals.

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