Marketing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Marketing is a dynamic field centered on understanding consumer behavior, developing strategic campaigns, and driving business growth through effective communication and market analysis. This program equips students with a comprehensive foundation in modern marketing principles, preparing them for diverse roles across industries that rely on data-driven decision-making and brand engagement.
- Consumer Behavior Analysis: Explores the psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing purchasing decisions, enabling the creation of targeted marketing strategies.
- Market Research Methods: Focuses on designing and implementing research techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data about markets, customers, and competitors.
- Brand Management: Covers the development, positioning, and long-term stewardship of brands to build customer loyalty and market differentiation.
- Digital Marketing Strategies: Examines online platforms and tools—including social media, search engine optimization, and content marketing—to reach and engage audiences effectively.
- Marketing Analytics: Involves the use of quantitative and qualitative data to measure campaign performance, forecast trends, and optimize marketing outcomes.
- Global Marketing Perspectives: Addresses the challenges and opportunities of promoting products and services across international markets with diverse cultural and regulatory environments.
Marketing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Marketing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Marketing degrees, including Marketing Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,327,900 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Managers 11-2021 | $161,030 | $81,900 - $239,200 | 384,980 | $77.42 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 13-1161 | $76,950 | $42,070 - $144,610 | 861,140 | $37.00 |
Marketing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $65,620 in Wyoming to $132,080 in California—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,327,900 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Marketing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 81 institutions offering Marketing programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Marketing is found at Western Michigan University (WMU) (99 graduates), Utah Valley University (UVU) (94 graduates), Howard University (HU) (76 graduates), Ashford University (UAGC) (75 graduates), and Western Carolina University (WCU) (64 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,294 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
99 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
94 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Bachelor's
|
76 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
75 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
64 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| LIM College (LIM) |
Master's
|
61 | New York, New York | Private | limcollege.edu |
| NUC University (NUC) |
Master's
|
52 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
49 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Other Award
|
45 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Master's
|
33 | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
30 | Orchard Park, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
29 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Western New England University (WNE) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | wne.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
22 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| Mercer University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Master's
|
14 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
14 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Other Award
|
13 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Master's
|
13 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Emerson College |
Master's
|
12 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| Strayer University (SU) |
Associate's
|
12 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | strayer.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| The College of Idaho (C of I) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Caldwell, Idaho | Private | collegeofidaho.edu |
| Gardner-Webb University (GWU) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | Private | gardner-webb.edu |
| Strayer University (SU) |
Associate's
|
10 | Chamblee, Georgia | Private | strayer.edu |
| Strayer University (SU) |
Associate's
|
10 | Farmers Branch, Texas | Private | strayer.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Drexel University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
9 | Guayama, Puerto Rico | Private | guayama.inter.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Master's
|
8 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Morningside University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Strayer University |
Associate's
|
7 | Arlington, Virginia | Private | strayer.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Newberry College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Newberry, South Carolina | Private | newberry.edu |
| Florida National University (FNU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Hialeah, Florida | Private | fnu.edu |
| Anderson University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Anderson, Indiana | Private | anderson.edu |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms (Elms College) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chicopee, Massachusetts | Private | elms.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| Eastern University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Associate's
|
5 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| Lake Superior State University (LSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Sault Ste Marie, Michigan | Public | lssu.edu |
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| University of Mobile |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | umobile.edu |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uaptc.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Lourdes University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sylvania, Ohio | Private | lourdes.edu |
| Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bartlesville, Oklahoma | Private | okwu.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Associate's
|
3 | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Point University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Union College |
Master's
|
2 | Barbourville, Kentucky | Private | unionky.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Northwood University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Midland, Michigan | Private | northwood.edu |
| Dickinson State University (DSU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Dickinson, North Dakota | Public | dickinsonstate.edu |
| University of Rio Grande |
Other Award
|
2 | Rio Grande, Ohio | Private | rio.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Strayer University |
Associate's
|
2 | Suitland, Maryland | Private | strayer.edu |
| Strayer University |
Associate's
|
2 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | strayer.edu |
| Strayer University |
Associate's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | strayer.edu |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana | Private | smwc.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Southwest Baptist University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bolivar, Missouri | Private | sbuniv.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Master's
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | uiw.edu |
| Marian University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Private | marianuniversity.edu |
| Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orlando, Florida | Private | agmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Marketing programs
How much can I earn with a Marketing degree?
Salaries for Marketing graduates vary by role and location. Marketing Managers earn a median of $161,030 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $132,080 compared to $65,620 in Wyoming. Approximately 1,327,900 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Marketing programs?
Currently 84 accredited institutions offer Marketing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Michigan University (WMU) (99 graduates), Utah Valley University (UVU) (94 graduates), and Howard University (HU) (76 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Marketing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,290 in 2010 to 1,294 in 2023-24. This represents a 0% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Marketing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Marketing Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,327,900 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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