Marketing: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 551 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$46,467 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
12.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
−18%Modeled 10-year ROI
$66,477Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$66,477Median reported earnings · year 4
$66,443Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,382Median federal debt
56thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
551Reporting programs
533With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $69,299
- Federal debt
- $22,060
- Reporting programs
- 11
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,620
- Federal debt
- $19,149
- Reporting programs
- 34
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $66,477
- Federal debt
- $24,382
- Reporting programs
- 551
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $131,018
- Federal debt
- $19,500
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $78,491
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 42
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $89,219
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $96,856
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$59,781National median$66,47775th percentile$73,881
533 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Brigham Young University$112,5962University of Pennsylvania$112,2113Boston College$106,3534Georgetown University$105,9445Santa Clara University$104,7236Villanova University$102,2227Washington University in St Louis$100,4898Tulane University of Louisiana$98,5039Lehigh University$98,32010Texas Christian University$97,148Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Business Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1011 · 5 crosswalk linksMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsSOC 13-1161 · 5 crosswalk linksMarketing ManagersSOC 11-2021 · 5 crosswalk linksAdvertising and Promotions ManagersSOC 11-2011 · 1 crosswalk linksFundraisersSOC 13-1131 · 1 crosswalk linksFundraising ManagersSOC 11-2033 · 1 crosswalk linksSales ManagersSOC 11-2022 · 1 crosswalk linksSurvey ResearchersSOC 19-3022 · 1 crosswalk linksWeb and Digital Interface DesignersSOC 15-1255 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young UniversityBachelor's Degree | Provo, UT | $112,596 | $10,500 | +179% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $112,211 | $17,412 | +128% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Boston CollegeBachelor's Degree | Chestnut Hill, MA | $106,353 | $18,000 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Georgetown UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $105,944 | $17,000 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Santa Clara UniversityBachelor's Degree | Santa Clara, CA | $104,723 | $19,712 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Villanova UniversityBachelor's Degree | Villanova, PA | $102,222 | $26,962 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Washington University in St LouisBachelor's Degree | St. Louis, MO | $100,489 | $17,500 | +108% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | Tulane University of LouisianaBachelor's Degree | New Orleans, LA | $98,503 | $19,500 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Lehigh UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $98,320 | $20,534 | +63% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Texas Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fort Worth, TX | $97,148 | $19,250 | +60% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $96,148 | $20,500 | +105% | Strong payoff |
| 12 | George Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $95,528 | $23,250 | +55% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | Elon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Elon, NC | $95,163 | $21,500 | +45% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $93,782 | $21,038 | +101% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $92,626 | $15,574 | +131% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $91,955 | $19,625 | +81% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | University of San FranciscoBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $91,815 | $21,500 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 18 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $91,235 | $26,951 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | University of Notre DameBachelor's Degree | Notre Dame, IN | $91,088 | $19,000 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $90,744 | $20,000 | +93% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | Fordham UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bronx, NY | $90,733 | $26,933 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $90,453 | $23,896 | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Harrisonburg, VA | $89,944 | $21,040 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | Providence CollegeBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $89,629 | $27,000 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $89,486 | $27,000 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $89,208 | $21,889 | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $89,208 | $21,889 | +98% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $89,208 | $21,889 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $89,208 | $21,889 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 30 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $89,208 | $21,889 | +80% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | Southern Methodist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dallas, TX | $88,627 | $20,500 | +27% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | Bentley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waltham, MA | $88,461 | $26,000 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $88,383 | $25,000 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $88,114 | $15,171 | +82% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's Degree | Bothell, WA | $88,114 | $15,171 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $88,114 | $15,171 | +95% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Utah State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Logan, UT | $87,905 | $13,801 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | Miami University-HamiltonBachelor's Degree | Hamilton, OH | $86,919 | $21,963 | +86% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | Miami University-MiddletownBachelor's Degree | Middletown, OH | $86,919 | $21,963 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $86,919 | $21,963 | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | Fairfield UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfield, CT | $86,740 | $27,000 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | Loyola University ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $86,662 | $25,000 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $86,338 | $22,500 | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's Degree | Amherst, MA | $86,299 | $23,750 | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $86,246 | $22,750 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | University of MiamiBachelor's Degree | Coral Gables, FL | $85,935 | $19,000 | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | Creighton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Omaha, NE | $85,891 | $24,250 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | University of GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Athens, GA | $85,785 | $20,000 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 49 | The Catholic University of AmericaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $85,029 | $27,000 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | Florida State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $84,981 | $18,250 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $84,725 | $19,264 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | Trinity UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $84,347 | $23,500 | +44% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $84,111 | $22,125 | +59% | Positive payoff |
| 54 | University of ScrantonBachelor's Degree | Scranton, PA | $83,756 | $26,000 | +25% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | University of San DiegoBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $83,562 | $21,375 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $83,511 | $20,632 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Quinnipiac UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hamden, CT | $83,258 | $26,000 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 58 | Maryville University of Saint LouisBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $83,256 | Not available | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 59 | Loyola Marymount UniversityBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $82,825 | $25,000 | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | Marquette UniversityBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $82,233 | $26,000 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | Susquehanna UniversityBachelor's Degree | Selinsgrove, PA | $82,070 | $27,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 62 | University of IowaBachelor's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $81,994 | $25,000 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 63 | University of South Carolina-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, SC | $81,945 | $23,750 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 64 | Saint Norbert CollegeBachelor's Degree | De Pere, WI | $81,731 | $27,000 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | Utah Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Orem, UT | $81,582 | $12,044 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $81,368 | $15,000 | +51% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $81,119 | $21,198 | +45% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $81,109 | $23,250 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | Binghamton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Vestal, NY | $80,825 | $20,500 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | University of DaytonBachelor's Degree | Dayton, OH | $80,677 | $24,187 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Capella UniversityBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $80,588 | $45,406 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | Saint Edward's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $80,562 | $26,250 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Berry CollegeBachelor's Degree | Mount Berry, GA | $79,602 | $26,000 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeBachelor's Degree | Erie, PA | $79,343 | $25,000 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgBachelor's Degree | Middletown, PA | $79,343 | $25,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $79,343 | $25,000 | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $79,343 | $25,000 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $78,522 | $26,149 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 79 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 80 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 81 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 83 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $78,506 | $25,000 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 85 | University of St ThomasBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $78,424 | Not available | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 86 | Manhattan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverdale, NY | $78,423 | $26,000 | +16% | Positive payoff |
| 87 | Baylor UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waco, TX | $78,398 | $21,775 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Emmanuel CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $78,338 | $27,000 | +16% | Positive payoff |
| 89 | Taylor UniversityBachelor's Degree | Upland, IN | $78,191 | $20,182 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | Bryant UniversityBachelor's Degree | Smithfield, RI | $78,181 | $27,000 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | DePaul UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $78,164 | $25,000 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 92 | Lipscomb UniversityBachelor's Degree | Nashville, TN | $77,996 | $24,625 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 93 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $77,956 | $20,500 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | Seton Hall UniversityBachelor's Degree | South Orange, NJ | $77,940 | $23,250 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 95 | University of St ThomasBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $77,870 | $27,000 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | Weber State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ogden, UT | $77,828 | $18,076 | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 97 | Howard UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $77,820 | $25,500 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's Degree | Norman, OK | $77,606 | $21,500 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 99 | The University of AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Tuscaloosa, AL | $77,451 | $23,071 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 100 | Adelphi UniversityBachelor's Degree | Garden City, NY | $77,418 | $27,000 | +7% | Positive payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.