Virginia · Marketing

Best colleges for Marketing in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Old Dominion University are the top bachelor's Marketing programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. James Madison University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $61,692, College Scorecard. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Commonwealth University and James Madison University award the most Marketing degrees in Virginia: 241, 182 and 141 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Virginia colleges offer Marketing and award 846 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
18
offering CIP 52.14
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
846
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$43,395
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
7
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,933
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Marketing Managers
$195,940
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$61,69214180%—$21,040
2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$56,41724186%—$22,500
3Old Dominion University
Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,3958746%—$27,125
4Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,76718263%—$21,500
5Radford University
Radford Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,3964349%—$25,000
6George Mason University
Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$49,223668%—$21,233
7Hampton University
Hampton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$32,5111857%$34,268$23,355

Colleges awarding the most Marketing degrees in Virginia

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public
241$56,417
2Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public
182$41,767
3James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public
141$61,692
4Old Dominion University
Norfolk Public
87$43,395
5Radford University
Radford Public
43$37,396
6Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
40Not reported
7Virginia State University
Petersburg Public
27Not reported
8William & Mary
Williamsburg Public
22Not reported
9Hampton University
Hampton Private not-for-profit
18$32,511
10Shenandoah University
Winchester Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
Show the other 8 Virginia colleges offering Marketing
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia BeachVirginia BeachPrivate not-for-profit9
George Mason UniversityFairfaxPublic6
University of LynchburgLynchburgPrivate not-for-profit6
Mary Baldwin UniversityStauntonPrivate not-for-profit6
Strayer University - Virginia (Online)ArlingtonPrivate for-profit5
Ferrum CollegeFerrumPrivate not-for-profit2
Regent UniversityVirginia BeachPrivate not-for-profit1
Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburgPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Marketing Managers (SOC 11-2021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+6.6%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~34,300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$161,030
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive LearningMonitoring

What Marketing Managers earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
6,890
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$195,940
median $187,820
Best-paying metro
$187,800
Richmond, VA

Related careers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
$87,420 avg · 25,610 jobs
Sales Managers
$195,390 avg · 9,670 jobs
Marketing Managers
$195,940 avg · 6,890 jobs
Fundraisers
$77,860 avg · 4,010 jobs
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
$128,850 avg · 2,450 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$84,660 avg · 1,990 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Marketing programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Marketing degrees?+

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (241 graduates a year), Virginia Commonwealth University (182 graduates a year) and James Madison University (141 graduates a year) award the most Marketing degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Virginia colleges offer Marketing.

What is the best college for Marketing in Virginia?+

By graduate earnings, James Madison University leads among bachelor's Marketing programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $61,692, College Scorecard. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Old Dominion University follow. By degrees awarded, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the largest, with 241 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Marketing program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, James Madison University tops the list at $61,692. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Marketing Managers earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Marketing Managers in Virginia is $195,940 (median $187,820), across about 6,890 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Marketing program?+

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…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Marketing Managers?+

The national job outlook is about +6.6% growth with around 34,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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