Marketing at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's marketing program starts graduates below both state and national averages at $40,244, but shows unusual momentum: earnings jump 33% to $53,389 by year four, eventually surpassing the state median. While this "late bloomer" pattern means tougher early years, graduates who stick with marketing careers appear to catch up. The $25,000 debt load is manageable—about 62% of first-year income—giving graduates some breathing room during those initial lower-earning years.

The real question is whether your child can weather that slow start. At the 40th percentile among Illinois marketing programs, SIU-Carbondale sits firmly in the middle of the pack for the state, well behind top performers like Illinois State ($51,687 starting) or UIUC ($69,273). However, its 90% admission rate and moderate tuition make it accessible for students who might not get into those more selective programs. For families concerned about debt, this program delivers reasonable value—the loan burden isn't crushing, and the earnings trajectory suggests patience pays off.

The practical takeaway: This works best for students who have realistic expectations about entry-level marketing salaries and are committed to building their careers over time. If your child needs strong immediate earnings to manage debt or support themselves, look at the higher-performing Illinois programs. But for students who fit SIU-Carbondale academically and can accept a few lean years, the eventual earnings growth makes this a defensible choice.