Marketing at University of San Francisco

USF's marketing program starts graduates at essentially the national median salary but stands out for remarkable income growth—earnings jump 73% by year four, reaching nearly $78,000. That trajectory matters more than the below-median California start, especially given that most top-earning California marketing programs (Santa Clara, USD) cost significantly more in tuition and debt.

The concerning element here is the debt load. At $21,500, graduates carry more debt than 73% of marketing students nationally, despite relatively modest starting pay. However, the manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio and strong mid-career growth suggest most graduates can handle repayment. The real question is whether that debt reflects USF's private school premium—and whether your child could achieve similar outcomes at a lower-cost option like San Francisco State, where graduates start at $52,000 with comparable debt.

For families who value the USF network and Jesuit education model, the numbers work out reasonably well. The program delivers solid long-term earnings growth that validates the initial investment. But cost-conscious families should compare financial aid packages carefully, as the debt here runs high for what begins as an average-paying marketing degree.