Marketing at Muskingum University

Muskingum's marketing graduates start earning about $7,000 less than the typical Ohio marketing graduate, landing at the 40th percentile statewide. While the 22% earnings growth over four years shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages forever, reaching $49,838 by year four still falls short of what many Ohio marketing programs deliver right out of the gate. The state's flagship programs—Ohio State and Miami University—produce graduates earning $56,000-59,000 in their first year, a gap that's difficult to close over time.

The silver lining here is debt management. At $27,000, graduates owe just slightly more than the national median for marketing programs, and significantly less than what many peers take on. This puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.66—manageable territory that won't trap graduates in financial stress. For families prioritizing a straightforward path to a marketing career without crushing debt, this works.

The practical question is whether $7,000-10,000 less per year in early-career earnings is worth the accessibility and smaller debt load. For students who need the higher admission rate and more supportive environment, Muskingum delivers a functional marketing degree. But families with other options should recognize they're trading earning potential for other considerations—whether that's campus culture, smaller class sizes, or geographic preference.