Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU's marketing associate degree produces graduates earning $45,084 in their first year—outperforming 95% of similar programs nationwide and landing squarely at New Hampshire's median for marketing graduates. The $22,546 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about half their first-year salary. For context, this program beats the national earnings benchmark by more than $3,000 while keeping debt relatively modest (below the 40th percentile nationally).

What makes these numbers particularly compelling is how they hold up despite the institution's accessibility—with a 96% admission rate and nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, SNHU appears to deliver strong outcomes for students who might not have access to more selective institutions. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonably reliable data without the volatility of very small programs.

For families weighing an associate degree against going straight to work or pursuing a bachelor's, this program offers a clear financial win. Graduates earn about $10,000 more per year than the typical worker with just a high school diploma, and the debt load should be manageable on that salary—typically paid off within a few years if prioritized. This is one of the stronger associate-level marketing programs in the country.