Marketing Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of promoting and selling products and services to consumers.
Starting Salary
$55K
median
Mid-Career
$85K
salary
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Marketing Overview
Study of promoting and selling products and services to consumers.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
70%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
22%
Lifetime Premium
$600K
Female Graduates
55%
Marketing Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$582,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($600,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Marketing Salary Progression
Common Marketing Careers
Marketing Manager
Brand Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Marketing
#1
Wharton
#2
Northwestern Kellogg
#3
University of Michigan
#4
NYU
#5
Indiana University
Related Majors
Marketing Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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