Marketing at Wingate University

Wingate University's marketing program graduates earn $36,777 in their first year—about $7,000 below the state median and nearly $8,000 below the national benchmark. That 25th percentile ranking among North Carolina programs tells you most in-state alternatives deliver stronger outcomes. For context, NC State and East Carolina graduates from similar programs start around $45,000, while even mid-tier options like Meredith College clear $45,000. The gap matters because these earnings differences compound over a career.

The $23,100 median debt sits right at the state average, so the real issue isn't borrowing levels—it's what those borrowed dollars are buying. A 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 8 months of their first-year salary, which is manageable but only if earnings grow meaningfully. With fewer than 30 graduates in this sample, individual outcomes might vary more than usual, but that small cohort size itself raises questions about program scale and employer connections.

If your child is set on Wingate for other reasons—campus fit, athletics, location—the program won't bury them in debt. But if maximizing early career earnings is the priority, North Carolina offers stronger marketing programs at comparable price points. The numbers suggest shopping around within the state makes financial sense.