by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Advertising covers Advertising. A Program That Focuses On The Creation, Execution, Transmission, And Evaluation Of Commercial Messages In Various Media Intended To Promote And Sell Products, Services, And Brands; And That Prepares Individuals To Function As Advertising Assistants, Technicians, And Managers. Includes Instruction In Advertising Theory, Marketing Strategy, Advertising Design And Production Methods, Campaign Methods And Techniques, Media Management, Related Principles Of Business Management, And Applicable Technical And Equipment Skills. Read on to learn the key facts every advertising major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering advertising programs.
Nationwide, advertising is a popular field of study, with 4,308 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Advertising Schools ranking analyzes these 94 schools to determine the best overall colleges for advertising students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of advertising programs later in this article.
Coursework for Advertising build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations advertising graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a advertising program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a advertising major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several advertising degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 16 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 46 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,919 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 314 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to advertising tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 53.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in advertising careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in advertising opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to advertising.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to advertising.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 324,973 | -3.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of advertising graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,317 |
| 4 years | $55,248 |
| 5 years | $64,495 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for advertising graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers advertising grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $113,521 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
With 94 different advertising programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased advertising school rankings to help you.
Those considering advertising, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
