by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 90 U.S. colleges awarded 4,633 degrees and certificates in Advertising. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 91% of graduates. College Factual ranks 55 schools in its 2027 Best Advertising Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,684 one year after completing, rising to $67,080 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, advertising is a popular field of study, with 4,633 degrees awarded annually. 90 colleges award advertising degrees, an average of 51 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 567.
By level, the 4,633 awards include 13 certificates, 48 associate degrees, 4,223 bachelor’s degrees, 337 master’s degrees and 8 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of advertising degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,229 of 4,633). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,639) and Hispanic or Latino (850), and international students earned 288.
College Factual ranks 55 schools in its 2027 Best Advertising Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 51 for bachelor’s degrees and 11 for master’s degrees. It also ranks advertising schools within 27 states. In all, 90 colleges offer advertising programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Advertising Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common advertising credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,223 of the 4,633 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to advertising call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an advertising degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 48 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,223 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 337 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to advertising, at 53.7%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Advertising, with an average median salary of $104,845. Typical job titles include Communication Skills Instructor, Media Arts Professor, College Faculty Member and Speech Communication Professor.
The occupation related to advertising with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 324,973 | -3.3% |
Advertising graduates earn a median $43,684 one year after completing their program, $67,080 after four years and $64,953 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,684 |
| 4 years | $67,080 |
| 5 years | $64,953 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to advertising is Advertising and Promotions Managers, with a median salary of $113,521.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $113,521 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
Advertising has 10 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 15,914 degrees a year; the largest are Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (4,246), Public Relations/Image Management (4,191) and Communication Management and Strategic Communications (2,072). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
