Compare 185 Advertising. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $48,002. Top programs: $86,425+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Advertising tells a different story. Across 185 programs, earnings range from $62K to $86K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of San Francisco's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $86,425, well above the $48K average. American University follows at $75,287, while George Washington University rounds out the top three at $73,497—proving program excellence exists beyond traditional brand hierarchies.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of San Francisco graduates borrow $23,000 and face just a 4.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, San Jose State University leads with a 13.1% family burden rate.
Highest program earnings: $86,425
Strong outcomes with 51% acceptance rate
4.9% payment burden | Excellent
13.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $86,425 | 32 | $23,000 | Excellent | $44,413 | Manageable |
| #2 | American UniversityPrivate | $75,287 | 105 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Manageable |
| #3 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $73,497 | 38 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #4 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $71,592 | 232 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #5 | $70,999 | 100 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $66,005 | 105 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #7 | $65,345 | 567 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $65,215 | 98 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $65,121 | 183 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Challenging |
| #10 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $64,905 | 109 | $23,510 | Excellent | $41,309 | Challenging |
| #11 | $64,730 | 87 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $63,282 | 5 | $26,000 | Good | $42,940 | High |
| #13 | $63,191 | 100 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $63,112 | 391 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $62,762 | 83 | $22,250 | Excellent | $28,000 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $62,725 | 36 | $24,454 | Good | $37,652 | Challenging |
| #17 | $62,665 | 245 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #18 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $62,187 | 348 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #19 | $62,118 | 31 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Manageable | |
| #20 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $61,959 | 144 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Challenging |
| #21 | University Of PortlandPrivate | $61,776 | 28 | $21,370 | Excellent | $57,555 | High |
| #22 | Manhattan CollegePrivate | $61,402 | 17 | $26,000 | Good | $56,630 | High |
| #23 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $61,347 | 104 | $23,250 | Good | $46,275 | High |
| #24 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | $61,306 | 69 | $26,000 | Good | $64,334 | High |
| #25 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $60,872 | 56 | $23,621 | Good | $56,149 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
