Compare 12 Marketing. programs in Iowa. Average earnings: $55,340.
The highest-earning Marketing program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $34K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Drake University's Marketing program leads with graduates earning $70,052, well above the $55,340 average across Iowa programs. The University of Iowa follows at $63,149, while Iowa State rounds out the top three at $60,108—demonstrating how program quality varies even among similar institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Drake graduates borrow $23,000 and face just a 6.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Northern Iowa leads with a 15.1% 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 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $70,052 | 60 | $23,000 | Excellent | $26,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of IowaPublic | $63,149 | 235 | $22,500 | Excellent | $27,975 | Challenging |
| #3 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $60,108 | 328 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #4 | $58,874 | 92 | $19,691 | Excellent | $17,670 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Saint Ambrose UniversityPrivate | $57,855 | 38 | $25,000 | Good | $30,948 | Challenging |
| #6 | Buena Vista UniversityPrivate | $56,472 | 17 | $25,000 | Good | $12,074 | Manageable |
| #7 | University Of DubuquePrivate | $55,208 | 19 | $25,750 | Good | $21,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | Loras CollegePrivate | $54,602 | 19 | $26,000 | Good | $30,983 | High |
| #9 | Grand View UniversityPrivate | $53,969 | 23 | $22,500 | Good | $20,398 | Challenging |
| #10 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $52,947 | 30 | $25,000 | Good | $14,000 | Challenging |
| #11 | Mount Mercy UniversityPrivate | $44,892 | 21 | $23,699 | Manageable | $19,951 | High |
| #12 | Dordt UniversityPrivate | $35,954 | 8 | $21,500 | Challenging | $18,000 | 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 →
