Analysis
With estimated first-year earnings around $52,000 and debt near $23,000, this program appears positioned in the middle tier of Colorado's marketing options. Similar marketing programs across the state produce graduates earning in this range, which runs about $7,500 above the national median for the major. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under six months of gross incomeβa favorable starting point compared to many bachelor's programs.
What makes interpretation tricky here is that CSU Pueblo admits all applicants yet sees outcomes tracking close to more selective Colorado programs. Peer institutions in the state show marketing graduates earning between $50,000 and $56,000 in their first year, placing this estimate squarely in the competitive range. The $23,000 in estimated debt also sits slightly below both state and national benchmarks for marketing degrees, which typically hover around $24,000.
The challenge is that these figures come from comparable programs rather than CSU Pueblo's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about whether this campus delivers similar results. For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable valueβmanageable debt paired with solid starting earnings. But given the open-admission policy and lack of program-specific data, visiting campus to ask directly about recent graduate outcomes and employer connections in the Pueblo area would help confirm whether this program truly delivers on what peer schools achieve.
Where Colorado State University Pueblo Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,401 | $52,216* | β | $22,587* | β | |
| $8,400 | $55,814* | $56,771 | $29,956* | 0.54 | |
| $10,780 | $52,216* | $57,726 | $24,000* | 0.46 | |
| $59,340 | $50,016* | $73,375 | $22,739* | 0.45 | |
| National Median | β | $44,728* | β | $24,267* | 0.54 |
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 Colorado State University Pueblo, approximately 28% 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 median of 3 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.