Marketing at Washburn University

Washburn University's marketing program manages to outperform most competitors despite its regional location. Starting at $48,000, graduates earn more than 65% of marketing programs nationally and rank in the 60th percentile among Kansas schools—trailing only KSU and KU, the state's flagship universities. Perhaps more importantly, they carry just $27,000 in debt, which places them in the top 5% nationally for affordability in this field.

The 19% earnings bump from year one to year four ($47,963 to $57,133) suggests graduates aren't hitting an early ceiling. This trajectory matters because marketing careers can go in vastly different directions—some graduates land in corporate strategy roles with real growth potential, while others plateau in lower-tier sales positions. Washburn's outcomes indicate their graduates are more likely finding the former. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means students can realistically pay off loans within a few years if they live modestly.

For Kansas families, this represents solid value. You're getting outcomes comparable to much larger state universities at a lower cost. While KSU leads the state, the $2,500 earnings difference doesn't justify significantly higher debt or the competitive admission requirements. Washburn delivers a dependable path into marketing without the financial strain that often accompanies business degrees.