Marketing at Sullivan University

This program's estimated debt load of $37,530 significantly exceeds what Kentucky marketing graduates typically carry. While the median debt for this major in Kentucky sits around $23,250, Sullivan's estimate—derived from similar private institutions nationwide—runs about $14,000 higher. That gap matters when first-year earnings hover around $45,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 that's manageable but certainly not comfortable.

The earnings estimate itself, based on Kentucky's marketing programs, aligns closely with state and national medians. Similar programs across Kentucky report first-year salaries clustering in the $42,000-$48,000 range, suggesting graduates here would likely start their careers on par with peers from larger state universities. The challenge isn't the earning potential—it's the cost of getting there.

For families comparing options, the central question becomes whether Sullivan's specific approach to marketing education justifies taking on roughly 60% more debt than the state average for the same credential. Without actual outcome data for this particular program, that's difficult to assess. If your student is set on Sullivan, dig into what distinguishes their marketing program and whether those differences translate into career advantages that offset the higher borrowing. Otherwise, Kentucky's public universities offer marketing degrees at substantially lower debt levels with comparable earning trajectories.