Analysis
Comparable marketing programs in Wisconsin suggest first-year earnings around $35,000βright at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by nearly $7,000. With estimated debt of $15,600, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is manageable, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's reasonable for an associate's degree, though it's worth noting that some Wisconsin technical colleges producing similar outcomes carry slightly more debt, while at least one peer institution (Rasmunussen) reports significantly higher earnings.
The challenge here is that these figures are drawn from other Wisconsin marketing programs since Mid-State's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish. That makes it difficult to know whether this specific program performs above or below the state average. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (24%) suggests Mid-State may serve a less economically vulnerable population than many community colleges, but without actual outcome data, you're essentially betting on the state average.
If your child is committed to marketing and wants to stay local, this debt load won't create a crisisβbut push the school for their own placement and salary data before committing. The spread between Wisconsin programs is wide enough that school-specific outcomes matter considerably.
Where Mid-State Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Marketing associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,886 | $35,014* | β | $15,597* | β | |
| $11,982 | $44,293* | $44,488 | $27,167* | 0.61 | |
| $4,724 | $35,014* | $41,562 | $12,000* | 0.34 | |
| $4,720 | $34,630* | $41,281 | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $41,955* | β | $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 Mid-State Technical College, approximately 24% 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 median of 3 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.