Marketing at University of Denver

University of Denver's marketing program produces graduates who start at $50,000 but see their earnings jump 47% to $73,000 within four years—a growth trajectory that significantly outpaces typical marketing careers. While the first-year salary trails other Colorado marketing programs (ranking in the 40th percentile statewide), that gap closes fast. By year four, these graduates are earning substantially more than the national median and likely surpassing many of their in-state peers.

The $22,739 debt load sits comfortably below the national average, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. For context, you'd be paying back roughly 45% of your first-year salary—hardly a crushing burden, especially given the strong upward earnings momentum. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these numbers without being definitive.

Here's the practical read: This program costs more upfront than alternatives like Metro State, but the earnings acceleration suggests DU's network and credentials pay dividends as graduates advance into management roles. If your child can handle starting slightly behind their Colorado peers while building toward significantly higher mid-career earnings, this represents solid value. The risk is modest debt paired with proven income growth; that's a favorable equation for families who can weather a slower start.