Compare 181 Advertising. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $58,265. Top programs: $90,535+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Advertising tells a different story. Across 181 programs, earnings range from $24,421 to $90,535—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The school with the most prestigious name on your list may not be the one that delivers the strongest earnings for advertising graduates.
Topping the list, Syracuse University's Advertising program delivers $90,535 in median earnings—well above the $58,265 average across all 181 programs. Southern Methodist University follows closely at $89,330, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a public institution, reaches $83,451. The presence of a large public university in the top five makes the point clearly: prestige doesn't predict advertising program outcomes.
Brigham Young University makes the strongest case for debt-conscious decision-making. Graduates borrow just $11,069 in student loans and carry a 2.6% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' category, meaning loan payments are trivial relative to their $80,841 in earnings. When parent loans are factored in, BYU's family burden holds at 5.2%—still 'Excellent'—the only program in the top ten where both student and family debt land in that tier.
Highest program earnings: $90,535
Strong outcomes ($89,330) with 63% acceptance rate
2.6% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
5.2% family burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
