Marketing at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's marketing program costs slightly more than average but delivers middling returns that lag behind competitors across the state. While graduates start at $44,812—essentially matching the national median—that places them in the 60th percentile among Michigan schools, which sounds better than it is. The reality? You're still earning $7,000 less than Michigan State grads and $6,000 less than Central Michigan, a gap that persists as earnings grow to just over $50,000 by year four.

The debt picture offers the program's main advantage: at $27,000, it's among the lowest 5% nationally for marketing degrees, translating to a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly $220 monthly in loan payments—sustainable on these starting salaries. The 13% earnings growth over four years is solid, suggesting graduates gain traction in their careers despite the modest starting point.

For families prioritizing affordability over earning potential, this works. You're getting a legitimate marketing degree without crushing debt from a school that accepts most applicants. But if your student can access Michigan State or Central Michigan, the $5,000-12,000 annual earnings premium would offset any tuition difference within a few years. Eastern Michigan makes sense primarily for students who need the lower admissions bar or prefer staying local to Ypsilanti—just recognize you're trading future earnings for present accessibility.