Median Earnings (1yr)
$50,563
77th percentile (60th in MN)
Median Debt
$27,000
11% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.53
Manageable
Sample Size
131
Adequate data

Analysis

University of St. Thomas marketing graduates start strong at $50,563—outperforming the national median by 13% and landing in the 77th percentile nationally. What makes this particularly compelling is the debt picture: at $27,000, graduates carry less debt than 95% of marketing programs nationwide. That 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically allocate about half a year's salary to loan payments, a manageable burden that leaves room for other financial goals.

Within Minnesota, the program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing the University of Minnesota's flagship campus by about $9,000 but ahead of the state median. The 32% earnings growth to $66,692 by year four suggests graduates aren't hitting an early ceiling—they're advancing into better-paying roles at a healthy clip. With a robust sample size of over 100 graduates, these numbers reflect consistent outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For families concerned about marketing's reputation as a lower-earning business major, St. Thomas offers reassurance. The combination of better-than-average starting salaries, minimal debt burden, and strong earnings trajectory creates genuine breathing room after graduation. At an 85% admission rate, this isn't an exclusionary program—it's an accessible path to above-average outcomes in a competitive field.

Where University of St Thomas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally

University of St ThomasOther marketing programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How University of St Thomas graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of St Thomas graduates earn $51k, placing them in the 77th percentile of all marketing bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Marketing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (21 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of St Thomas$50,563$66,692$27,0000.53
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$59,609$76,482$22,7500.38
Capella University$55,495—$45,4060.82
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota$55,158$59,070$18,7350.34
University of Minnesota-Duluth$53,800$63,722$25,0000.46
The College of Saint Scholastica$52,732$52,354$25,0000.47
National Median$44,728—$24,2670.54

Other Marketing Programs in Minnesota

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis
$16,488$59,609$22,750
Capella University
Minneapolis
$14,436$55,495$45,406
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona
$43,160$55,158$18,735
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth
$14,318$53,800$25,000
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth
$40,454$52,732$25,000

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of St Thomas, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 131 graduates with reported earnings and 129 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.