Marketing at Idaho State University

Similar marketing associate programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $42,000, which puts graduates just above the national median for this credential—solid ground for an entry-level position. The estimated debt load of roughly $15,600 is notably lower than the national median of $19,149, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 that's manageable for most households. That translates to roughly four to five months of gross income to cover the full debt burden, assuming typical repayment terms.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates from peer programs, since Idaho State's specific graduate outcomes aren't published due to small sample sizes. This means you're essentially betting that ISU's marketing program performs similarly to the national median—a reasonable assumption, but not guaranteed. The lower estimated debt is encouraging, suggesting the program may be more affordable than many alternatives even if earnings come in slightly below the peer average.

For a parent weighing this decision, the estimated numbers suggest a workable investment if your student is committed to marketing and prefers staying in Idaho. However, the lack of actual graduate data means you should dig deeper into ISU's career services, internship connections, and job placement support—factors that become more critical when you can't verify outcomes directly. The financial fundamentals look sound based on comparable programs, but confirming those support structures could make the difference between hitting that $42,000 target or falling short.