Analysis
In New York's competitive marketing education landscape, similar bachelor's programs suggest first-year earnings around $42,381—right at the state median but trailing stronger programs by $15,000 or more. Syracuse and Fordham graduates earn in the high-$50,000s, while even mid-tier programs like Siena and Manhattan University place graduates near $49,000. When peer programs at St. Thomas Aquinas College produce estimated debt loads of $26,000, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable at 0.61, but the earnings gap matters more than the debt difference.
The real question is whether this program delivers the career network and recruiting pipelines that justify its cost compared to SUNY alternatives or merit additional investment to reach higher-performing private programs. Marketing success often depends heavily on internship quality and employer connections—areas where smaller programs can struggle against better-connected competitors. Similar programs across New York produce fairly uniform outcomes at the median, suggesting limited differentiation in this middle tier.
For families choosing St. Thomas Aquinas College's marketing program, recognize you're likely paying private college prices for public college outcomes. The estimated figures track closely with state medians, which means you're getting what comparable programs deliver—nothing more, nothing less. If your child has admission offers from schools like Manhattan University or Pace (both reporting actual earnings near $49,000), those represent measurably stronger value propositions.
Where St. Thomas Aquinas College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (44 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,720 | $42,381* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $63,061 | $57,777* | $68,357 | $26,951* | 0.47 | |
| $61,992 | $55,261* | — | $26,933* | 0.49 | |
| $50,850 | $49,398* | $73,714 | $26,000* | 0.53 | |
| $44,405 | $49,312* | $64,500 | $27,000* | 0.55 | |
| $51,424 | $48,509* | $67,096 | $26,000* | 0.54 | |
| National Median | — | $44,728* | — | $24,267* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Marketing Managers
Sales Managers
Fundraising Managers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Fundraisers
Survey Researchers
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 St. Thomas Aquinas College, approximately 18% 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 28 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.