Marketing (Bachelor's Degree) at San Diego State University

Analysis

San Diego State's marketing program stands out for its exceptional debt management rather than sky-high earnings. With just $15,000 in median student debt—far below both the national average of $24,267 and California's $21,000 median—graduates enter the workforce with unusually light financial burdens. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is among the best nationally, meaning graduates owe less than four months of their starting salary.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story of steady career progression. Starting salaries of $48,229 match California's median for marketing programs and rank in the 67th percentile nationally, then grow substantially to $67,600 by year four—a 40% increase that suggests the program prepares students for advancement. While the program doesn't crack the top tier occupied by private schools like Santa Clara or University of San Diego, it delivers solid middle-pack performance within California's competitive landscape.

For families weighing cost against opportunity, SDSU's marketing program offers a compelling value equation: competitive earnings potential without the debt burden that often accompanies marketing degrees elsewhere. The combination of reasonable starting salaries, strong growth prospects, and minimal debt creates favorable conditions for financial stability after graduation.

Where San Diego State University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How San Diego State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
San Diego State University	$48,229	$67,600	+40%
Santa Clara University	$58,493	$79,997	+37%
University of San Francisco	$44,891	$77,629	+73%
Loyola Marymount University	$48,281	$70,419	+46%
University of San Diego	$56,313	$69,411	+23%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego	$8,290	$48,229	$67,600	$15,000	0.31
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario	—	$63,570	$53,053	$45,070	0.71
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara	$59,241	$58,493	$79,997	$19,712	0.34
University of San DiegoSan Diego	$56,444	$56,313	$69,411	$21,375	0.38
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$54,286	$45,421	$38,234	0.70
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco	$7,424	$52,072	$60,322	$12,304	0.24
National Median	—	$44,728	—	$24,267	0.54

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

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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 San Diego State University, approximately 31% 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.