A Master’s in Marketing is becoming an increasingly popular business degree, attracting students eager to deepen their knowledge of consumer behaviour, digital marketing strategy, and brand management. According to the most recent GMAC Application Trends Survey, both domestic and international applications to Master of Marketing programs grew by around one-third in 2024.
So, for those interested in studying a top degree in the field, which business schools offer the world’s best marketing master’s programs?
The 10 best marketing master's programs in the world
According to the QS 2026 Global Master's in Marketing ranking, France's HEC Paris is the best place to study for a Master's in Marketing. The prestigious French Grande École retains the top spot for another year, in the past it has also been voted Europe’s top business school. In the 2026 QS Business Master's Rankings, HEC Paris also leads other QS rankings of programs, including the Master's in Finance and Master's in Management.
ESSEC Business School follows HEC Paris in second place, also holding its position. ESCP Business School rounds out the top three marketing master’s programs—meaning French business schools dominate the top of the list.
Elsewhere in the top 10, Columbia Business School rises from fifth to fourth. The leading M7 business school is the sole US representative among the top 10, a title it has held in previous iterations of the list.
Spain’s IE Business School offers the fifth-highest-ranked Master's in Marketing for 2026. It’s followed by three UK institutions: Warwick Business School in sixth, Imperial Business School in seventh, and newcomer London School of Economics (LSE) in eighth.
Spanish business school ESADE takes ninth place, maintaining last year’s position, while Emlyon Business School secures 10th place—another strong result for French institutions.
European business schools often dominate business master’s rankings, with the MBA being the more established degree among US business schools. This year, nine European business schools make the top 10. France leads with four institutions, followed by the UK with three.
Outside the top 10, the 2026 Master’s in Marketing ranking features 164 entries in total, including 27 new schools. Of these, 15 improved their position, 51 remained the same, and 71 dropped down in the rankings.
Notable new entries—other than the London School of Economics' impressive debut—include Copenhagen Business School, which lands in 18th place, and HKUST, entering at joint 33rd.
World's Best Marketing Masters Programs: Top 10 (QS)
Are the world’s best marketing masters programs worth it?
So, what’s the benefit of enrolling in one of these top Master’s in Marketing programs? And how does it weigh up against the cost of tuition?
At HEC Paris, tuition for the one-year Master’s in Marketing is around €32,000 ($37,000). This fee is inclusive of administrative and student service costs as well as tuition itself. But that initial investment tends to pay off quickly: 96% of graduates secure roles within three months, earning average starting salaries of around €80,000 ($93,000).
At Columbia Business School in the US—where tuition fees are often significantly higher than in Europe—the cost is more than double that of HEC Paris, at around $124,000, including mandatory fees and living expenses. Still, the majority of Columbia graduates also land roles within three months, going on to secure positions at leading companies such as Apple, TikTok, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Uber.
For students seeking more affordable options, EDHEC Business School offers two Master’s in Marketing programs—the MSc in Marketing Analytics and MSc in Marketing Management—starting at around €27,000 ($31,000). Key recruiters from EDHEC include global giants like Amazon and Procter & Gamble, as well as luxury leaders such as Christian Dior Couture, Hermès, and Swarovski.
The strong employment outcomes across these programs mean you can expect to start seeing a return on your investment almost immediately after graduation. And if you choose to study in Europe, where tuition tends to be lower, you’re likely to achieve that return even faster.
Methodology:
The QS Master's in Marketing ranking is assessed based on surveys of academics, business school staff, and employers. The ranking is weighted across employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership, and class and faculty diversity.
The most important category is employability (35% weighting). QS also gives a 20% weighting to both value for money and thought leadership.
Key takeaways
⇨ In the QS 2026 Global Master’s in Marketing ranking, HEC Paris secured the top spot, marking an impressive triple win, with the school also ranking first in the Master’s in Finance and Master’s in Management rankings.
⇨ European schools dominated the top 10 Master’s in Marketing programs in 2026.
⇨ The 2026 Master’s in Marketing ranking featured 164 entries, underlining the degree’s strong global appeal.