Marketing at University of Michigan-Dearborn

Marketing graduates from UM-Dearborn start at $46,664—slightly above both the Michigan median ($44,379) and national average ($44,728)—but the real story is what happens next. Four years out, earnings jump 42% to $66,233, a trajectory that positions this program well above typical marketing degrees. Among Michigan's 31 marketing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, performing comparably to larger state universities despite UM-Dearborn's more accessible admissions profile.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $23,625, which is actually below both the state median ($25,450) and national average ($24,267). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, graduates are borrowing less than one year's starting salary—a manageable load that becomes even more comfortable as earnings climb. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program successfully serves first-generation and lower-income students without burdening them with excessive debt.

For parents concerned about ROI, UM-Dearborn offers a pragmatic path: lower debt than typical marketing programs, earnings that outpace the state average, and strong momentum through the early career years. While it doesn't match Michigan State's starting salaries, the combination of manageable debt and solid earnings growth makes this a sensible choice, particularly for students seeking the University of Michigan name without Ann Arbor's price tag.