Location: Saint Paul, MN•In-State Tuition: $25,000•Admission Rate: 75%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,007
66th percentile
40th percentile in Minnesota
Median Debt
$26,500
9% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.55 ManageableSample: 44 graduates

Analysis

Concordia University-Saint Paul's marketing program charges below-average debt ($26,500 versus $25,000 state median) but delivers below-median Minnesota outcomes. While first-year earnings of $48,007 beat the national average by nearly $3,300, they trail the Minnesota median by $1,400—a meaningful gap when you're competing for jobs in the same market as University of Minnesota graduates who start at $59,609.

The 40th percentile ranking among Minnesota programs tells the real story here. Your child would earn roughly $10,000 less annually than marketing graduates from UMN-Twin Cities or even regional options like Saint Scholastica. That gap compounds quickly: over a decade, it could mean $100,000 in lost earnings. The solid 19% earnings growth to year four shows graduates do progress, but they're starting from behind and may struggle to catch up to peers from stronger programs.

The debt load is reasonable and the national comparison looks decent, but those statistics matter less than the local reality. Minnesota employers know the state's marketing programs well, and Concordia ranks in the bottom half. For families choosing between in-state options, the numbers suggest looking at schools where graduates command higher starting salaries—the modest debt savings here don't compensate for the earnings disadvantage in Minnesota's job market.

Where Concordia University-Saint Paul Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally

Concordia University-Saint PaulOther marketing programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates compare to all programs nationally

Concordia University-Saint Paul earns $48k — 66th percentile among marketing bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Concordia University-Saint Paul$48,007$57,161+19%
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$59,609$76,482+28%
University of St Thomas$50,563$66,692+32%
Minnesota State University-Mankato$44,780$63,775+42%
University of Minnesota-Duluth$53,800$63,722+18%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul$25,000$48,007$57,161$26,5000.55
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis$16,488$59,609$76,482$22,7500.38
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$55,495—$45,4060.82
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona$43,160$55,158$59,070$18,7350.34
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth$14,318$53,800$63,722$25,0000.46
The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth$40,454$52,732$52,354$25,0000.47
National Median—$44,728—$24,2670.54

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
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 Concordia University-Saint Paul, approximately 34% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 44 graduates with reported earnings and 44 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.