Marketing at Washington University in St Louis

Washington University's marketing program delivers earnings that outpace nearly every competitor in Missouri and 95% of marketing programs nationwide. At $70,819 one year out, graduates earn 65% more than the typical Missouri marketing graduate and nearly 60% more than the national median. Even the state's next-highest earner (Northwest Missouri State at $48,557) falls well short. This isn't just WashU prestige—it's a meaningful earnings advantage that translates to real financial security.

The debt picture makes this performance even more remarkable. At $17,500, graduates leave with about $6,000 less debt than Missouri's median and nearly $7,000 less than the national average. That 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans with just three months of salary—an exceptional position that's rare even among elite universities. The selective 12% admission rate means getting in is the primary hurdle, not paying for it.

For families who can navigate WashU's admissions process, this program offers one of the strongest value propositions in marketing education. The combination of top-tier earnings and below-average debt creates financial flexibility that compounds over time, whether your child pursues traditional marketing roles or pivots to consulting or tech. This is what justifying private school costs should look like.