Marketing at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

With fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers deserve skepticism, but they tell an intriguing story about Rasmussen's Fargo campus. First-year earnings of $44,293 put graduates exactly at the 75th percentile nationally—solid performance for an associate's degree. The debt load of $27,167 is higher than the national median by about $8,000, but the 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, meaning graduates earn enough to service their loans without extraordinary hardship.

The concerning detail is the complete absence of earnings growth over four years. While national data shows most marketing programs deliver some wage progression, these graduates see their earnings flatline. Whether that's a function of the small sample, the local Fargo economy, or the program's focus remains unclear. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting this program serves students who need credentials to access decent-paying work quickly—and by that measure, it succeeds.

For a parent weighing this option: your child would likely start with above-average earnings for an associate's degree holder in marketing, but should plan career advancement carefully since automatic wage growth doesn't appear baked in. The debt is elevated but not crushing. Given North Dakota's limited options (only three schools offer this program), Rasmussen provides reasonable access to the field, though the small cohort means your child's experience could differ significantly from these averages.