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Discover the 10 Best Marketing MBA Programs

Learn Marketing Skills With an MBA

Whether it’s a tweet, a print ad campaign or just yelling about a product, good marketing is a critical component for any business.

As technology changes, marketing does too, and employers want marketers who can adapt and remain effective. Earning an MBA in marketing is one way to develop those necessary skills.

These are the top 10 — based on ties — best marketing MBA programs.

9 (tie). New York University (Stern)

Location: New York

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 12 (tie)

Learn more about NYU Stern.

9 (tie). University of California–Berkeley (Haas)

Location: Berkeley, California

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 7

Learn more about the Haas School of Business.

8. Columbia University (NY)

Location: New York

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 9 (tie)

Learn more about Columbia Business School.

7. University of Chicago (Booth)

Location: Chicago

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 3

Learn more about the Booth School of Business.

6. Harvard University (MA)

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 1 (tie)

Learn more about Harvard Business School.

5. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ross)

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 11

Learn more about the Ross School of Business.

4. Duke University (Fuqua) (NC)

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 12 (tie)

Learn more about the Fuqua School of Business.

3. Stanford University (CA)

Location: Stanford, California

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 4 (tie)

Learn more about the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

2. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Location: Philadelphia

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 1 (tie)

Learn more about the Wharton School.

1. Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL)

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Overall Best Business Schools rank: 4 (tie)

Learn more about the Kellogg School of Management.

Learn More About the Best B-Schools

Get advice on applying to business school, and check out all of the 2018 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

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Discover the 10 Best Marketing MBA Programs originally appeared on usnews.com

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Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. 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Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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