Marketing at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

At first glance, NC State's post-baccalaureate marketing certificate looks like a standout—$117,557 in first-year earnings puts it in the 95th percentile nationally. But here's the reality check: there are only 9 schools nationwide offering this specific credential, and NC State is the only one in North Carolina. That 60th percentile state ranking? It's meaningless since there's literally no in-state competition. This is less about NC State doing something extraordinary and more about the rarity of marketing post-bacc certificates making the comparison pool extremely thin.

That said, the fundamentals are solid. A debt load of just $19,500 against nearly six-figure earnings means graduates pay off their investment in about two months of work—that's a 0.17 debt-to-earnings ratio that few programs can match. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests this isn't a fluke, and the credential appears to serve its purpose: quickly credentialing professionals who likely already have work experience into marketing roles.

The real question is whether your child needs this specific certificate versus other pathways into marketing. If they're career-changers looking for a fast credential from a respected university, the math works beautifully. But don't be swayed by the "95th percentile" ranking—in a field with only 9 comparable programs nationwide, that number says more about scarcity than excellence.