Compare 10 Advertising. programs in California. Average earnings: $56,201.
The highest-earning Advertising program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $58K earnings gap across 10 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of San Francisco's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $86,425, well above the $56,201 average across California programs. USC follows at $71,000, while Pepperdine rounds out the top three at $64,905—demonstrating that strong outcomes come from focused program excellence, not just school reputation.
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, San Jose State leads with a 13.1% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| 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 | $70,999 | 100 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $64,905 | 109 | $23,510 | Excellent | $41,309 | Challenging |
| #4 | $63,191 | 100 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $62,118 | 31 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $60,270 | 62 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | High |
| #7 | $48,447 | 70 | $13,807 | Excellent | $11,061 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $43,438 | 22 | $26,063 | Manageable | $31,387 | High | |
| #9 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 36 | $23,875 | High | $50,726 | High |
| #10 | $28,226 | 46 | $14,289 | High | $15,177 | 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 →
