Marketing at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska students have seven options for marketing degrees, and UNL graduates earn more than the state median—though not by as much as you might expect from the flagship university. At $51,354 in first-year earnings, graduates outpace both the Nebraska median ($48,224) and the national median ($44,728), landing in the 80th percentile nationally. Within the state, however, only Creighton's program produces stronger starting salaries, and that difference is about $5,000. The debt load of $23,250 is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45—meaning graduates earn roughly double what they borrowed.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth to $54,532 by year four, a 6% increase that keeps pace with general wage growth but doesn't suggest rapid career acceleration. This pattern is typical for marketing roles, where early career positions often involve proving yourself before moving into higher-paid strategy or management tracks. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these figures reliable—this isn't a fluke based on a handful of outcomes.

For Nebraska families, UNL represents a solid choice that delivers above-average outcomes without the debt burden often associated with private alternatives. The program won't catapult graduates into six-figure careers immediately, but the combination of reasonable debt and earnings that exceed most peers provides a stable foundation for building a marketing career.