Analysis
In California, associate's-level marketing programs typically carry debt of around $19,000, but Fremont's estimated $27,000 in borrowing—based on patterns from similar private institutions—runs about 43% higher. When you're looking at first-year earnings of roughly $42,000 (drawn from national medians for this credential), that debt load translates to a 0.65 ratio—manageable by federal guidelines, but tighter than you'd want given the uncertainty. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already stretching financially, and adding above-average debt for below-average starting salaries creates real vulnerability.
The core question is whether this particular path justifies the premium. Associate's degrees in marketing can open doors to entry-level sales, social media coordination, or retail management roles, but comparable programs statewide suggest you could achieve similar outcomes with significantly less debt. The challenge is that we don't have actual outcomes for Fremont's marketing graduates specifically—these are projections based on peer institutions—so you're betting on a pattern holding true without confirmation.
If your child is set on this field and this school, push for details: What percentage of marketing graduates actually land jobs in their field? What's the real median debt for recent completers? Without that transparency, you're financing an unknown with borrowed money that will need repaying regardless of whether the degree performs as these estimates suggest.
Where Fremont University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Marketing associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $41,955* | — | $27,167* | — | |
| $4,448 | $48,724* | $46,865 | $14,943* | 0.31 | |
| $16,450 | $45,084* | — | $22,546* | 0.50 | |
| $4,058 | $44,748* | — | $19,652* | 0.44 | |
| $10,899 | $44,293* | $44,488 | $27,167* | 0.61 | |
| $15,117 | $44,293* | $44,488 | $27,167* | 0.61 | |
| National Median | — | $41,955* | — | $19,149* | 0.46 |
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 Fremont University, approximately 62% 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 national median of 18 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.