Marketing at Friends University

Kansas marketing programs typically produce first-year earnings around $44,400, which puts Friends University right at the state median—though the bigger public universities like K-State and KU place graduates about $4,000-$6,000 higher. With an estimated $26,000 in debt, this program sits just above both state and national benchmarks for marketing degrees, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable but not impressive.

The practical challenge is that marketing is an earnings field where pedigree and campus recruiting networks matter. Friends serves a population with significant financial need (34% receive Pell grants), but comparable programs suggest graduates here won't have the salary cushion that larger state schools provide for managing debt. That extra $4,000-$6,000 annually from Kansas or K-State compounds meaningfully over the first decade of a career—it's the difference between paying down loans aggressively versus treading water.

For families evaluating this investment, the question isn't whether a marketing degree from Friends can lead to decent employment—peer data suggests it can. The question is whether the smaller school environment and personalized attention justify paying similar debt for lower estimated earnings than the state's flagship programs. If your student thrives in smaller settings and has already been admitted to Friends with strong aid, the numbers work. But if they're comparing acceptance letters and K-State or Washburn are options at similar cost, those schools' track records suggest stronger financial outcomes.