Marketing at Clayton State University

Clayton State's marketing program costs more in debt than most programs in Georgia while delivering earnings that lag behind both state and national benchmarks. At $30,896 in median debt, graduates carry about $5,000 more than typical Georgia marketing students, while earning roughly $3,000 less than the state median. That puts this program at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten Georgia marketing programs produce higher earners.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 is manageable, and graduates do show steady income growth through year four. However, the starting salary of $39,557 falls well below what marketing graduates earn at peer institutions like Georgia Southern ($46,640) or even Kennesaw State ($47,158). The moderate sample size suggests this data is reasonably reliable, though the 52% Pell Grant rate indicates the university serves a significant number of students with financial need who may be particularly sensitive to debt burden.

For Georgia families, this represents a lower-cost alternative to flagship schools but not necessarily a value play. If your student has the credentials for admission to UGA or Georgia Southern, those programs deliver $7,000-$12,000 more in annual earnings—a difference that quickly outweighs any tuition savings. Clayton State might make sense for students who need the access point, but families should understand they're accepting below-average state outcomes in exchange.