Marketing at North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A&T's marketing program outperforms most of its in-state competition while keeping debt remarkably manageable. With first-year earnings of $48,042 climbing to $57,147 by year four, graduates earn more than the state median and rank in the 60th percentile among North Carolina marketing programs—ahead of schools like UNC Charlotte and East Carolina. The 19% earnings growth trajectory suggests graduates are advancing in their careers, not just treading water.

The financial picture is particularly compelling: at $27,375, graduate debt sits well below both state and national medians, landing in just the 5th percentile nationally. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57—meaning graduates owe just over half of what they'll earn in their first year. For context, that's a healthy ratio by any standard, giving graduates breathing room to build their careers without crushing monthly payments.

For a family weighing options, this program delivers solid career outcomes at a price point that won't require decades of repayment. While Elon's graduates out-earn A&T grads by nearly $8,000 initially, they're likely carrying significantly more debt to get there. A&T provides a middle ground: above-average earnings with below-average debt, which is exactly what risk-conscious families should be seeking in a business degree.