Marketing Careers Start at Columbia
Earn Your Bachelor's in Marketing at Columbia College Chicago
Learn how to execute your big ideas with a BA in Marketing from Columbia College Chicago. As a marketing major at an art school, you'll learn to market what moves you, developing the creative, strategic, and digital skills needed to promote brands and artists (even yourself). Explore dynamic industries like entertainment, sports, and arts marketing while building the experience to launch your career.
As a marketing major, you can expect to:
- Customize your path with a concentration. Specialize in Advertising and Content Creation, Digital Strategy, Fashion Marketing, or Public Relations to deepen your expertise and sharpen your skills in your preferred niche.
- Build real-world campaigns. Develop cross-channel mastery of data analysis, advertising, social media, digital strategy, public relations, and storytelling to effectively market products, services, and ideas.
- Network with industry professionals. Connect through masterclasses, networking events, and partnerships with brands like Google, SXSW, and Universal Music.
You'll graduate ready to launch a career in advertising, digital marketing, brand strategy, or arts marketing. Connect with Columbia today and start building your creative future.
Learn More About Columbia College Chicago
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Live in a City at the Forefront of Brand Building and Culture
At Columbia, your campus is the city. Our South Loop location puts you steps from marketing, brand, and PR agencies, meaning inspiration and opportunity are never far away. Chicago is a living lab where you'll test ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain real-world experience.
Plus, as a full-time student, you'll have a Ventra U-Pass, giving you unlimited access to the city's transit system so you can explore every area of Chicago with ease. From grabbing food with friends to walking through exhibits at the Art Institute, the city is part of everyday life.
A High-Level Look at the Marketing Degree
Nationally in Competitions Like L'Oreal Brandstorm
Study Marketing Abroad in Prague, Rome, Paris, or Germany
Attend SXSW to Advise Real Clients on Marketing Strategy
Creative Careers Start at Columbia
Columbia grads launch creative careers across industries—from design and media to performance, business, and tech. 96% of recent graduates reported being employed, continuing their education, or achieving success in their creative practice within a year.
Graduates of the marketing program are prepared for a wide range of creative careers, including advertising director, brand manager, content creator, marketing director, publicist, and social media manager.
"I credit Columbia with my success, and I am so grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and mentorship I received during my time on campus."
— Kimberly Wilson '21, Marketing BA, Former Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing and Strategy, Paramount
Columbia Makes a Creative Education More Affordable
A Columbia degree is an investment in your creativity—and we're committed to making it accessible. With 99 percent of first-year students receiving financial aid, you'll find the support you need to focus on what matters most: creating.
Ways Columbia helps you save:
- Merit-Based Scholarships: You're automatically considered for these when you apply to Columbia.
- Talent-Based Scholarships: You can choose to apply by submitting a portfolio or completing an audition.
- Visit and FAFSA Awards: Up to $8,000 over four years for visiting campus, plus $1,000 just for filing the FAFSA.
Faculty Spotlight: Peg Murphy
Associate Professor Peg Murphy's background includes 20-plus years' experience working at agencies, corporations, and consultancies on brands like Apple, Boca Burger, Calvin Klein, Crate & Barrel, Liz Claiborne, the Alzheimer's Association, Nine West, Walgreens etc. Her proudest moments involve student successes, coaching interdisciplinary teams to high-profile competition wins, such as the National Student Ad Competition, American Ad Federation; Collegiate Effies; National Retail Federation University Challenge, and L'Oréal BrandStorm.
“Whether they're pitching to executives, meeting alumni, or attending industry events, students begin to see themselves as part of the larger creative and business ecosystem.”