Marketing at Concordia University-Wisconsin

Concordia University-Wisconsin's marketing graduates start behind the curve but show impressive momentum. First-year earnings of $39,614 lag both the Wisconsin median ($46,847) and the national average, placing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. However, the 37% earnings jump to $54,428 by year four tells a different story—graduates are catching up to and even surpassing typical outcomes.

The $26,000 median debt sits right at Wisconsin's median and slightly above the national benchmark, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. While graduates face a tougher first year financially compared to peers at UW-Madison ($65,224) or even UW-Oshkosh ($51,607), the trajectory suggests they're developing skills or landing positions that pay off mid-career. This pattern could reflect differences in initial job placement networks or the types of marketing roles graduates enter.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether your student can weather that first year with lower earnings. If they can—perhaps through family support or careful budgeting—the debt load is reasonable and the growth trajectory is encouraging. But if immediate earning power matters for loan repayment or financial independence, Wisconsin offers several alternatives with stronger starting salaries for similar debt.