Best colleges for Marketing
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Marketing by graduate earnings are University of Pennsylvania ($82,553), Georgetown University ($74,819) and Bucknell University ($70,868), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $82,553, 88 graduates a year
- Georgetown University (Washington, DC): $74,819, 31 graduates a year
- Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA): $70,868, 41 graduates a year
- Washington University in St Louis (St. Louis, MO): $70,819, 35 graduates a year
- Villanova University (Villanova, PA): $69,633, 59 graduates a year
Compare 1,065 U.S. colleges offering Marketing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Marketing programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,555 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,553 | 88 | 97% | $22,055 | $17,412 |
| 2 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,819 | 31 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,000 |
| 3 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,868 | 41 | 86% | $30,675 | $26,000 |
| 4 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,819 | 35 | 94% | $14,126 | $17,500 |
| 5 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,633 | 59 | 92% | $33,774 | $26,962 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,273 | 210 | 85% | — | $20,000 |
| 7 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,497 | 177 | 86% | $25,823 | $19,250 |
| 8 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,227 | 35 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,000 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,224 | 207 | 90% | — | $20,500 |
| 10 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,256 | 129 | 81% | $13,712 | $10,500 |
| 11 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,906 | 56 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 12 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,692 | 141 | 80% | — | $21,040 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,578 | 178 | 89% | — | $21,038 |
| 14 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,413 | 144 | 86% | $33,106 | $19,500 |
| 15 | Bentley University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,447 | 110 | 87% | $31,677 | $26,000 |
| 16 | Butler University Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,438 | 61 | 80% | $35,696 | $26,000 |
| 17 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,609 | 206 | 85% | — | $22,750 |
| 18 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,428 | 118 | 89% | — | $19,625 |
| 19 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,043 | 353 | 80% | — | $21,963 |
| 20 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,493 | 134 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,712 |
| 21 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,462 | 232 | 83% | — | $23,750 |
| 22 | Providence College Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,434 | 130 | 86% | $32,048 | $27,000 |
| 23 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,838 | 86 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,000 |
| 24 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,777 | 112 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,951 |
| 25 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,331 | 268 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | 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 Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Certificate Online | $63,549 | 255 | 21% | $15,478 | $22,060 |
Specializations within Marketing
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.14 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Marketing/CIP 52.1401
Marketing Management 49,123 graduates / yr973 institutions54 states - Digital MarketingCIP 52.1404New in CIP 20201,960 graduates / yr106 institutions38 states
- MarketingCIP 52.14991,226 graduates / yr82 institutions32 states
- International MarketingCIP 52.1403516 graduates / yr13 institutions10 states
- Marketing ResearchCIP 52.1402182 graduates / yr19 institutions11 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,555, College Scorecard (2019); 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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