Compare 62 Advertising. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $46,991.
The highest-earning Advertising program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $14K earnings gap across 62 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Miami University-Oxford's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $65,121, while the regional average sits at $47,000. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows at $62,665, proving that public programs compete directly with private institutions in this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $65,121
Strong outcomes ($65,121) with 82% acceptance
6.7% payment burden | Excellent
18.3% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $65,121 | 183 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Challenging |
| #2 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $63,282 | 5 | $26,000 | Good | $42,940 | High |
| #3 | $62,665 | 245 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $58,268 | 189 | $23,168 | Good | $41,563 | High |
| #5 | North Central CollegePrivate | $58,050 | 10 | $24,500 | Good | $30,000 | Challenging |
| #6 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $58,012 | 49 | $23,000 | Good | $26,000 | Challenging |
| #7 | $57,693 | 517 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #8 | Coe CollegePrivate | $57,149 | 9 | $27,000 | Good | $30,674 | Challenging |
| #9 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $56,772 | 119 | $23,940 | Good | $45,500 | High |
| #10 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $56,347 | 121 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #11 | Otterbein UniversityPrivate | $54,544 | 20 | $26,000 | Good | $39,500 | High |
| #12 | $53,696 | 80 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $53,615 | 20 | $25,000 | Good | $16,878 | Challenging | |
| #14 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $53,543 | 130 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #15 | $53,234 | 64 | $24,500 | Good | $21,394 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $52,584 | 28 | $21,250 | Good | $16,378 | Challenging |
| #17 | Northwood UniversityPrivate | $52,483 | 15 | $20,842 | Good | $21,265 | Challenging |
| #18 | $51,835 | 14 | $21,325 | Good | $28,694 | High | |
| #19 | $51,687 | 221 | $21,000 | Good | $25,798 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $51,494 | 117 | $27,000 | Manageable | $23,103 | High | |
| #21 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $51,378 | 94 | $23,250 | Good | $20,800 | Challenging |
| #22 | $51,191 | 58 | $21,500 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Xavier UniversityPrivate | $50,739 | 36 | $23,250 | Good | $37,885 | High |
| #24 | $49,854 | 152 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #25 | $49,456 | 44 | $23,199 | Good | $14,621 | Challenging |
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 →
