Analysis
A first-year salary around $63,500 for a certificate program sounds promising on paper, but remember that this figure comes from similar marketing certificate programs nationwide, not Augusta Tech's actual graduates. With Georgia hosting 19 schools offering this credential, outcomes can vary significantly based on local employer relationships and program design—and we simply don't have Augusta Tech's specific track record to evaluate.
The estimated debt load of $19,500 creates a roughly 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, which would be manageable if those earnings materialize. That's about four months of gross pay—a reasonable burden for someone landing solidly in their field. However, certificate programs often serve as skill-building add-ons rather than career launchers, so whether your child reaches that $63,500 depends heavily on what credentials and experience they're bringing to the job market alongside this certificate.
With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, Augusta Tech clearly serves a population looking for affordable pathways to better employment. If your child already has work experience or another degree and needs marketing credentials to advance, this could work. But if they're starting from scratch, understand you're betting on estimated outcomes with no school-specific data to validate the investment. Talk to Augusta Tech's career services about where recent certificate holders actually land jobs and at what pay—that conversation matters more than national averages.
Where Augusta Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Marketing certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,022 | $63,549* | — | $19,500* | — | |
| — | $63,549* | — | —* | — | |
| — | $63,549* | — | $22,060* | 0.35 | |
| — | $63,549* | — | $22,060* | 0.35 | |
| — | $63,549* | — | $22,060* | 0.35 | |
| $9,552 | $63,549* | — | $22,060* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $63,549* | — | $22,060* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Marketing Managers
Sales Managers
Fundraising Managers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Fundraisers
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Augusta Technical College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.