Marketing at Wichita State University

Wichita State's marketing program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: while graduates carry relatively light debt loads, their earnings lag behind nearly every comparable Kansas program. At $39,512 in the first year, new graduates earn about $5,000 less than the state median for marketing majors—and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide. That's particularly notable given Kansas isn't a high-cost-of-living state where lower salaries might be offset by affordability.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $20,250, graduates owe about $5,000 less than typical Kansas marketing majors, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51. The 20% earnings growth to $47,531 by year four shows decent progression, though graduates still trail peers from Kansas State ($50,468) and KU ($48,204) throughout their early careers. The program's 95% admission rate and accessible price point suggest it's serving students who might not have other four-year options, which adds important context to the earnings gap.

For families choosing between Kansas marketing programs, this comes down to cost versus career trajectory. If your student can access scholarships or in-state tuition discounts that keep total debt well under $20,000, the program's affordability might justify the earnings tradeoff—especially if location in Wichita aligns with their career goals. But students who can gain admission to Kansas State or KU should seriously consider those options for stronger early-career earnings potential.