Analysis
Based on comparable marketing programs in Nebraska, first-year earnings around $48,000 paired with roughly $24,000 in debt creates a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. This falls right in line with both state and national medians for marketing bachelor's programs, suggesting Midland's program tracks with typical outcomes for this field. The estimated debt load is modest enough that it shouldn't dominate early-career finances.
However, the context matters here. Other Nebraska marketing programs show actual reported outcomes ranging from $39,000 to nearly $57,000 in first-year earnings, a spread that reflects both institutional differences and career placement variations. Midland sits in the middle of this pack by estimate, which for a moderately selective school (67% admission rate) seems reasonable, but parents should recognize there's no guarantee these peer-derived figures will hold for their child's actual experience.
The practical question is whether marketing as a field—regardless of school—justifies the investment. At half your salary in debt with earnings that modestly exceed national benchmarks, the numbers suggest a viable path forward. But with no actual graduate data available for Midland specifically, you're making this decision with significantly less certainty than you'd have at schools where the Department of Education publishes real outcomes.
Where Midland University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,270 | $48,225* | — | $24,250* | — | |
| $47,000 | $56,641* | $64,831 | $24,250* | 0.43 | |
| $10,108 | $51,354* | $54,532 | $23,250* | 0.45 | |
| $8,886 | $45,095* | — | $27,750* | 0.62 | |
| $36,130 | $39,319* | — | $19,500* | 0.50 | |
| National Median | — | $44,728* | — | $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 Midland University, approximately 28% 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 4 similar programs in NE. Actual outcomes may vary.