Advertising: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Advertising is a dynamic field centered on the strategic development and deployment of persuasive communication across diverse media platforms to influence consumer behavior and drive brand engagement. This program equips learners with the analytical, creative, and technical competencies required to design, manage, and assess effective advertising campaigns in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
- Advertising Theory: Explores foundational concepts behind consumer motivation, message framing, and the psychological impact of visual and verbal communication in marketing contexts.
- Marketing Strategy: Focuses on aligning advertising efforts with broader business objectives, market segmentation, target audience identification, and competitive positioning.
- Advertising Design and Production Methods: Teaches visual storytelling, layout principles, copywriting techniques, and the use of digital tools to craft compelling and brand-consistent content.
- Campaign Methods and Techniques: Covers the full lifecycle of advertising initiatives—from concept development and messaging refinement to implementation and performance tracking across channels.
- Media Management: Involves evaluating and selecting optimal platforms—print, broadcast, digital, social, and emerging media—based on audience reach, cost efficiency, and campaign goals.
- Business Management Principles: Provides insight into budgeting, project coordination, client relations, and organizational structures essential for advertising professionals in real-world settings.
- Technical and Equipment Skills: Develops hands-on proficiency with industry-standard software, production tools, analytics platforms, and multimedia equipment used in modern advertising workflows.
Advertising Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Advertising Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Advertising degrees, including Advertising and Promotions Managers and Communications Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 50,360 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers 11-2011 | $126,960 | $63,000 - $239,200 | 21,100 | $61.04 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1122 | $77,800 | $47,100 - $160,210 | 29,260 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Advertising Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,130 in Hawaii to $144,290 in New York—a 260% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 50,360 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 Advertising by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 94 institutions offering Advertising 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 Advertising is found at Michigan State University (MSU) (471 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (327 graduates), University of Oregon (UO) (257 graduates), Boston University (BU) (216 graduates), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (202 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,308 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
471 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
327 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
257 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
216 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
202 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Residency
|
180 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
155 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
155 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
153 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
134 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
131 |
SAT: 1260-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
126 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 24-31 |
Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
126 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
107 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
103 |
SAT: 1290-1450 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
86 |
SAT: 1190-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
81 |
SAT: 1180-1380 ACT: 26-32 |
Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
80 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
70 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
68 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 30-34 |
Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
56 |
SAT: 1130-1328 ACT: 24-29 |
New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
45 |
SAT: 870-1090 ACT: 17-23 |
El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | N/A | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | N/A | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
37 |
SAT: 820-1010 ACT: 16-20 |
Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
37 |
SAT: 1190-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
36 |
SAT: 1093-1360 ACT: 26-29 |
Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| University of Florida (UF Online) |
Bachelor's
|
34 |
SAT: 1255-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufonline.ufl.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Keiser University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | N/A | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 24-29 |
Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
26 | N/A | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| School of Visual Arts (SVA) |
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 1165-1450 ACT: 21-31 |
New York, New York | Private | sva.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 22-28 |
Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1090-1280 ACT: 24-32 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1000-1230 ACT: 18-25 |
Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon |
Bachelor's
|
19 | N/A | Santurce, Puerto Rico | Private | sagrado.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1250-1450 ACT: 26-32 |
Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1210-1390 ACT: 26-31 |
San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | SAT: 1100-1320 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1150-1320 ACT: 25-30 |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 960-1210 ACT: 21-27 |
Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1040-1300 ACT: 19-26 |
Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 905-1205 ACT: 17-24 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27 |
Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 950-1200 ACT: 20-29 |
Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | SAT: 940-1225 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | N/A | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1006-1233 ACT: 20-28 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 970-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1058-1175 ACT: 19-24 |
Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1223-1416 ACT: 25-30 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | SAT: 785-1019 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Public | uprc.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1190-1390 ACT: 24-30 |
Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Other Award
|
9 | ACT: 19-24 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 950-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1060-1298 ACT: 22-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 |
SAT: 1350-1500 ACT: 31-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | ACT: 19-24 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | N/A | Utica, New York | Public | mvcc.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Associate's
|
5 | N/A | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-28 |
Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | SAT: 1123-1336 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | pucpr.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | N/A | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | SAT: 1020-1198 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1280-1460 ACT: 29-33 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-26 |
Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | SAT: 990-1160 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1000-1220 ACT: 19-27 |
Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Gannon University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | ACT: 18-24 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | N/A | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Wesleyan College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | SAT: 876-943 | Macon, Georgia | Private | wesleyancollege.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2 |
SAT: 890-1120 ACT: 18-26 |
Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | N/A | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
Associate's
|
2 | N/A | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Public | pennhighlands.edu |
| Pacific Union College (PUC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 930-1190 ACT: 20-24 |
Angwin, California | Private | puc.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| North Central Michigan College (NCMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | N/A | Petoskey, Michigan | Public | ncmich.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 970-1200 ACT: 18-23 |
Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
1 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 23-28 |
Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| Waynesburg University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1000-1220 ACT: 16-25 |
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Private | waynesburg.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 970-1270 ACT: 18-26 |
Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 910-1130 ACT: 18-24 |
Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | N/A | Mount Vernon, Washington | Public | skagit.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Advertising programs
How much can I earn with a Advertising degree?
Salaries for Advertising graduates vary by role and location. Advertising and Promotions Managers earn a median of $126,960 annually, while Communications Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $77,800. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $144,290 compared to $40,130 in Hawaii. Approximately 50,360 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 Advertising programs?
Currently 94 accredited institutions offer Advertising degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Michigan State University (MSU) (471 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (327 graduates), and University of Oregon (UO) (257 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 Advertising growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,857 in 2010 to a peak of 4,771 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,308 in 2023-24. This represents a 26% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Advertising degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Advertising and Promotions Managers, Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 50,360 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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