Analysis
Loyola Chicago's marketing graduates start earning more than the typical Illinois marketing grad and see their income jump 44% by year fourβreaching $73,410, which puts real distance between them and most state competitors. While starting salaries trail powerhouses like U of I Urbana-Champaign, this program outperforms 60% of Illinois marketing programs and nearly 80% nationally, placing it firmly in the upper tier.
The $25,000 debt load is manageable relative to that first-year salaryβgraduates owe less than half their starting income. More importantly, the four-year earnings trajectory suggests the Jesuit institution's Chicago location and business connections translate into genuine career momentum. That $73,410 four-year mark beats programs at Illinois State and Northern Illinois, schools where students started at similar salaries but saw slower growth.
For families weighing private school tuition against outcomes, this data makes a clear case: Loyola delivers above-average results without excessive debt. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier numbers. You're paying for access to Chicago's marketing ecosystem, and graduates appear to be converting that access into solid mid-career earnings.
Where Loyola University Chicago Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Loyola University Chicago graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University Chicago | $51,065 | $73,410 | +44% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $69,273 | $78,864 | +14% |
| Elmhurst University | $40,074 | $68,938 | +72% |
| DePaul University | $50,012 | $67,367 | +35% |
| Illinois State University | $51,687 | $63,704 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (37 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51,716 | $51,065 | $73,410 | $25,000 | 0.49 | |
| $16,004 | $69,273 | $78,864 | $20,000 | 0.29 | |
| $55,704 | $56,684 | β | β | β | |
| $16,021 | $51,687 | $63,704 | $20,500 | 0.40 | |
| $12,700 | $51,137 | $59,336 | $23,875 | 0.47 | |
| $44,460 | $50,012 | $67,367 | $25,000 | 0.50 | |
| National Median | β | $44,728 | β | $24,267 | 0.54 |
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 Loyola University Chicago, approximately 23% 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 134 graduates with reported earnings and 128 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.