Marketing at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa's marketing graduates earn $48,990 in their first year—beating 70% of marketing programs nationwide and placing solidly above both national and state medians. More impressively, they're doing this with just $17,750 in median debt, roughly $8,000 less than the typical Iowa marketing grad carries. That 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in under a year of focused repayment, a rare achievement among business programs.

The earnings trajectory reinforces the program's value: graduates see 20% income growth by year four, reaching nearly $59,000. While UNI doesn't quite match the state's top earners at Iowa or Upper Iowa (both around $52,000), the debt advantage narrows that gap considerably. A UNI grad earning $48,990 with $17,750 in debt has more financial breathing room than a UI grad earning $4,000 more but potentially carrying significantly higher debt.

For families choosing between Iowa's marketing programs, UNI offers the pragmatic middle ground—strong earnings without the financial strain. The 94% admission rate means most qualified applicants get in, and the program's robust sample size confirms these outcomes aren't flukes. Your child won't be the highest earner among Iowa marketing grads, but they'll likely be among the least financially stressed while building their career.