Analysis
At Guam Community College, this marketing program faces the unique challenges of the island's economy, where comparable programs are so limited that the federal government can't even collect enough data on graduates to report outcomes. Based on national benchmarks from similar associate's programs, graduates typically earn around $42,000 in their first year—a modest starting point—with debt around $15,600. That sub-0.4 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, but the real question is whether Guam's local job market supports these earnings or if graduates need to relocate to see them materialize.
The bigger concern isn't the numbers themselves—they're within reasonable ranges for a two-year degree—but what they don't tell you. Marketing careers often require four-year credentials to advance beyond entry-level positions, meaning this associate's degree may be just the first step in a longer educational investment. For island families, that matters: Will your student need to leave Guam for a bachelor's program? Can they find marketing work locally that values an associate's credential, or will they be competing for general business roles?
If your child plans to stay on Guam and this is their terminal degree, get specific about local employers hiring marketing graduates with two-year credentials. The estimated figures suggest a workable financial outcome, but you need ground truth about what the island's actual job market offers—not what mainland benchmarks promise.
Where Guam Community College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,414 | $41,955* | — | $15,597* | — | |
| $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 Guam Community College, approximately 52% 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.