Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,467
36th percentile (60th in NY)
Median Debt
$26,480
9% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.62
Manageable
Sample Size
88
Adequate data

Analysis

LIM College's marketing graduates start modestly at $42,467 but experience something unusual: 46% earnings growth by year four, jumping to nearly $62,000. That trajectory outpaces typical marketing program patterns and suggests the college's fashion-retail industry connections may be opening doors that compensate for a weaker initial launch. Among New York marketing programs, this sits at the 60th percentile—comfortably above the state median despite starting below the national average.

The debt picture is actually favorable: $26,480 represents a 0.62 ratio to first-year earnings, well below concerning thresholds. Combined with the strong earnings acceleration, graduates who make it to year four are earning more than double their debt burden. The challenge is that initial $42,467—it's tight in New York City where most LIM grads likely stay, and those first few years could be financially stressful even with reasonable debt levels.

The moderate sample size and 99% admission rate suggest this isn't a selective program, but the earnings growth pattern indicates real value for students willing to grind through early-career entry-level positions. If your child is specifically interested in fashion marketing and comfortable with a few lean years building experience, the four-year outcome justifies the investment. For general marketing careers, stronger starting salaries at Syracuse or Fordham might matter more than LIM's back-loaded trajectory.

Where LIM College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally

LIM CollegeOther marketing programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How LIM College graduates compare to all programs nationally

LIM College graduates earn $42k, placing them in the 36th percentile of all marketing bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (44 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
LIM College$42,467$61,980$26,4800.62
Syracuse University$57,777$68,357$26,9510.47
Fordham University$55,261—$26,9330.49
Manhattan University$49,398$73,714$26,0000.53
Siena College$49,312$64,500$27,0000.55
Pace University$48,509$67,096$26,0000.54
National Median$44,728—$24,2670.54

Other Marketing Programs in New York

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New York schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Syracuse University
Syracuse
$63,061$57,777$26,951
Fordham University
Bronx
$61,992$55,261$26,933
Manhattan University
Riverdale
$50,850$49,398$26,000
Siena College
Loudonville
$44,405$49,312$27,000
Pace University
New York
$51,424$48,509$26,000

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 LIM College, approximately 36% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 88 graduates with reported earnings and 89 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.