College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Marketing

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Marketing.

Entry Level Salary
$49,437
Median Salary
$89,669
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
39.0%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,586,760
Entry (Early)
$49,437
Median (Prime)
$89,669
High (Prime)
$90,000

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-10k
+322k
+324k
$25k / yr
-100k
+232k
+234k
$50k / yr
-190k
+142k
+144k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
31
31
$50k / yr
Never
38
38

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-92%
213%
216%
$50k / yr
-87%
65%
66%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate17.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Marketing managers

5.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,801
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%

Management occupations

5.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,526
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,153|$76,950
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,656
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,735|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Customer service representatives

2.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,354|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%

Top executives

2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$176,983|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%

Retail salespersons

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%

Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,290|$66,260
openings
123,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%

Sales managers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,785
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$131,514|$138,060
openings
49,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.7%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
marketing.Undergrad Certificate101$34,803 - $75,043
marketing.Associate's Degree202$26,997 - $61,532
marketing.Bachelor's Degree747$27,076 - $112,596
marketing.Post-bacc Certificate5$131,018 - $131,018
marketing.Master's Degree123$30,548 - $255,357
marketing.Doctoral Degree9Data N/A
marketing.Graduate Certificate25$65,411 - $161,928
marketing.Level 9913$96,856 - $96,856