Analysis
The $40,225 first-year earnings figure for this programβdrawn from nine comparable marketing bachelor's programs across Alabamaβsuggests outcomes that trail the national median by about $4,500. This matches Alabama's broader pattern for marketing degrees, where most programs cluster in the low $40,000s. What's concerning for Tuskegee specifically is the estimated $26,000 debt load, which exceeds both Alabama's typical $23,000 and sits above the national norm. While the 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio technically stays under the worrisome 1.0 threshold, it means your child would be dedicating a larger share of early-career income to loan payments than peers at in-state alternatives.
The estimates here are particularly uncertain because Tuskegee's marketing program produces too few graduates for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes data. The school's 48% Pell Grant population and selective 31% admission rate suggest a student body that likely needs strong return on investment, yet comparable Alabama programs show earnings ranging from $40,000 to nearly $49,000βa $9,000 spread that matters enormously when you're managing nearly $500 monthly loan payments on an entry-level salary.
If your child is set on marketing and Tuskegee specifically, scrutinize the actual debt they'd incur and whether they have direct connections to Alabama's major metros where marketing jobs concentrate. Without seeing this specific program's track record, you're essentially betting on an outcome that could land anywhere in that wide state range.
Where Tuskegee University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23,440 | $40,225* | β | $26,000* | β | |
| $11,900 | $48,879* | $65,054 | $23,071* | 0.47 | |
| $38,144 | $47,565* | $47,133 | $18,000* | 0.38 | |
| $12,536 | $45,460* | $56,959 | $20,500* | 0.45 | |
| $11,990 | $40,470* | $52,250 | $21,500* | 0.53 | |
| $11,770 | $40,225* | β | $23,000* | 0.57 | |
| National Median | β | $44,728* | β | $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 Tuskegee University, approximately 48% 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 9 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.