Marketing at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's marketing program punches above its weight for Tennessee students. While earnings start slightly below the national median at $43,612, this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—outperforming more than half of Tennessee's marketing programs despite MTSU's accessible admissions profile. The 26% earnings growth to nearly $55,000 by year four suggests graduates gain traction quickly in the job market, catching up to and surpassing many peer programs.

The debt picture strengthens the value case. At $20,708, graduates leave with about $3,500 less debt than the national median and roughly $1,100 less than Tennessee's typical marketing program. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47—meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, a manageable burden that won't derail other financial goals in their twenties.

For a Tennessee family weighing in-state options, MTSU delivers comparable outcomes to flagship UT-Knoxville (which starts at $46,896) but with potentially lower tuition costs and more accessible admissions. The program sits comfortably in the middle tier of the state's offerings—not the absolute highest earner, but solid performance with notably lower debt than many alternatives. That's a reasonable return for students who want to stay in Tennessee without the pressure of ultra-competitive admissions.