Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

That $27,168 starting salary is concerning—this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for Specialized Sales and Marketing, meaning 95% of similar programs elsewhere produce higher initial earnings. Even with typical debt of $27,000, you're looking at nearly dollar-for-dollar debt-to-earnings in that first year. The silver lining is strong earnings growth: graduates see their pay jump 61% to $43,692 by year four, suggesting the program may emphasize skills that take time to monetize in the marketplace.

The Rhode Island context adds an interesting wrinkle. While this program lags far behind the national median of $35,806, it actually performs at the 60th percentile among the state's three schools offering this degree. But that's cold comfort when the state median itself matches Johnson & Wales's number exactly—Rhode Island's market for this specialization appears weak overall. Parents should recognize that choosing to study marketing in RI may mean accepting lower early-career earnings regardless of which school you pick.

The core question: is it worth paying $27,000 to start at $27K? For students confident they'll stick with the field through that growth curve to year four, maybe. But those first few years managing debt on a sub-$30K salary will be tight, and there's no guarantee every graduate reaches that four-year mark. If your child has stronger options elsewhere, particularly in states with more robust marketing job markets, those deserve serious consideration.