Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,290
Est. from ID median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,000
Est. from national median (215 programs)

Analysis

With estimated first-year earnings of $45,290 and typical debt around $26,000, this marketing degree sits right at Idaho's median for the field—though it's worth noting these figures come from comparable programs statewide rather than Northwest Nazarene's specific outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly half their first year's salary to loans, a manageable but not insignificant burden. For context, marketing programs across Idaho cluster tightly between $39,000 and $49,000 in starting pay, with Northwest Nazarene's estimate landing squarely in the middle of that pack.

The $26,000 debt estimate exceeds both Idaho's typical $23,463 and the national median of $24,267 for marketing degrees, which narrows the financial advantage slightly. That said, similar programs in the state demonstrate that marketing graduates generally find footing around $45,000 regardless of institution—BYU-Idaho's reported $49,026 represents the ceiling rather than a dramatic outlier. The consistency across Idaho's marketing programs suggests this field has relatively stable entry-level compensation statewide.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is whether Northwest Nazarene's specific strengths—its faith-based environment, smaller classes given the 63% admission rate, or regional connections—justify debt that runs a few thousand dollars higher than state peers produce. The earnings potential appears standard for Idaho marketing graduates, so the decision hinges more on fit than financial differentiation.

Where Northwest Nazarene University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Idaho

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Idaho (6 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa$39,370$45,290*$26,000*
Brigham Young University-IdahoRexburg$4,656$49,026*$10,630*0.22
University of IdahoMoscow$8,816$45,555*$52,158$24,926*0.55
Boise State UniversityBoise$8,782$45,024*$49,168$22,000*0.49
Idaho State UniversityPocatello$8,356$39,605*$58,182$25,123*0.63
National Median$44,728*$24,267*0.54
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
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 Northwest Nazarene University, approximately 29% 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 ID. Actual outcomes may vary.