Best institutions to study Marketing
Compare 1,065 U.S. colleges offering Marketing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Marketing programs report a median of $44,555 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 52.14 and the Marketing Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Marketing programs
The Marketing program focuses on the principles and practices involved in promoting products and services. It is designed for students interested in understanding market dynamics, consumer behavior, and strategic communication. This program prepares individuals for a variety of roles within the marketing field, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students will explore various specializations, including Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, and International Marketing, equipping them with the tools to navigate the evolving landscape of marketing in today's global economy.
In this program, students develop critical skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas, including sales and marketing strategies, customer service, and administration, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for a successful marketing career.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Graduate degree | $117,557 | 32 | 85% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,553 | 88 | 97% | $22,055 | $17,412 |
| 3 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,819 | 31 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,000 |
| 4 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,868 | 41 | 86% | $30,675 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,819 | 35 | 94% | $14,126 | $17,500 |
| 6 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,633 | 59 | 92% | $33,774 | $26,962 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,273 | 210 | 85% | — | $20,000 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,497 | 177 | 86% | $25,823 | $19,250 |
| 9 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,227 | 35 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,000 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,224 | 207 | 90% | — | $20,500 |
| 11 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,256 | 129 | 81% | $13,712 | $10,500 |
| 12 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,906 | 56 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 13 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Certificate degree | $63,549 | 255 | 21% | $15,478 | $22,060 |
| 14 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,692 | 141 | 80% | — | $21,040 |
| 15 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,578 | 178 | 89% | — | $21,038 |
| 16 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,413 | 144 | 86% | $33,106 | $19,500 |
| 17 | Bentley University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,447 | 110 | 87% | $31,677 | $26,000 |
| 18 | Butler University Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,438 | 61 | 80% | $35,696 | $26,000 |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,609 | 206 | 85% | — | $22,750 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,428 | 118 | 89% | — | $19,625 |
| 21 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,043 | 353 | 80% | — | $21,963 |
| 22 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,493 | 134 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,712 |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,462 | 232 | 83% | — | $23,750 |
| 24 | Providence College Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,434 | 130 | 86% | $32,048 | $27,000 |
| 25 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,838 | 86 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,000 |
| 26 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,777 | 112 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,951 |
| 27 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,331 | 268 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
| 28 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,275 | 237 | 81% | — | $23,896 |
| 29 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,162 | 202 | 80% | $35,682 | $21,775 |
| 30 | Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,684 | 12 | 75% | $26,849 | — |
| 31 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,668 | 147 | 83% | — | $19,264 |
| 32 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,641 | 77 | 83% | $27,353 | $24,250 |
| 33 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,465 | 436 | 88% | — | $21,198 |
| 34 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,454 | 185 | 91% | — | $15,574 |
| 35 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,417 | 241 | 86% | — | $22,500 |
| 36 | University of San Diego San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,313 | 88 | 84% | $26,035 | $21,375 |
| 37 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,011 | 166 | 65% | — | $20,632 |
| 38 | Trinity University San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,928 | 29 | 84% | $20,327 | $23,500 |
| 39 | Elon University Elon, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,893 | 96 | 84% | $33,688 | $21,500 |
| 40 | Colorado State University Global Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,814 | 172 | — | — | $29,956 |
| 41 | Capella University Minneapolis, MN Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,495 | 11 | 20% | $19,369 | $45,406 |
| 42 | Assumption University Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,314 | 46 | 75% | $24,206 | $27,000 |
| 43 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,296 | 84 | 59% | — | $27,000 |
| 44 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,236 | 42 | 88% | $26,912 | $20,534 |
| 45 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,158 | 5 | 66% | $18,163 | $18,735 |
| 46 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,066 | 235 | 68% | — | $22,125 |
| 47 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,022 | 224 | 65% | — | $25,000 |
| 48 | Post University Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,931 | 61 | 25% | $14,659 | $28,524 |
| 49 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,833 | 101 | 84% | $29,789 | $23,250 |
| 50 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,809 | 113 | 83% | — | $21,889 |
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-2021, Marketing Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Marketing program can expect a favorable job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 6.6% and approximately 34,300 annual openings. The median wage for marketing professionals is $161,030, and most positions require at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Marketing
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.14.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.14 (Marketing) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2011 | Advertising and Promotions Managers |
| 11-2021 | Marketing Managersprimary |
| 11-2022 | Sales Managers |
| 11-2033 | Fundraising Managers |
| 13-1131 | Fundraisers |
| 13-1161 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 19-3022 | Survey Researchers |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Marketing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors.
- Formulate, direct, or coordinate marketing activities or policies to promote products or services, working with advertising or promotion managers.
- Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.
- Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction.
- Compile lists describing product or service offerings.
- Direct the hiring, training, or performance evaluations of marketing or sales staff and oversee their daily activities.
Concentrations within Marketing
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Marketing/Marketing Management, GeneralCIP 52.1401
A program that generally prepares individuals to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers
- Marketing ResearchCIP 52.1402
A program that prepares individuals to provide analytical descriptions of consumer behavior patterns and market environments to marketing managers and other business decision-makers
- International MarketingCIP 52.1403
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing activities in enterprises primarily engaged in exporting or importing goods and services in world markets
- Digital MarketingCIP 52.1404
A program that prepares individuals to develop a digital marketing plan and integrate marketing, advertising, sales, and logistics across physical and digital channels
- Marketing, OtherCIP 52.1499
Any instructional program in general marketing and marketing research not listed above.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Marketing program?+
Students can specialize in areas such as Marketing Management, Marketing Research, International Marketing, and Digital Marketing.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and strategic planning, among others.
What is the job outlook for marketing graduates?+
The job outlook is favorable, with a growth rate of 6.6% and about 34,300 annual job openings.
What level of education is typically required for a marketing career?+
Most marketing positions require at least a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Marketing graduates earn?+
Marketing graduates report median earnings of $44,555 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Marketing Managers occupation pays about $177,770 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Marketing?+
Marketing maps to CIP 52.14 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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