by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying marketing schools.
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Below are the schools whose marketing graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the top school for marketing graduate earnings in California. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Santa Clara University typically earn about $100,123 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in marketing will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career marketing graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $166,040 per year.
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles earn a median of about $63,549 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Point Loma Nazarene University earned it the #4 place for marketing. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career marketing graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University make a median of around $70,128 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in marketing will find them at University Of San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Early-career marketing graduates from University Of San Diego make a median of around $80,998 per year.
Azusa Pacific University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University typically earn about $65,912 annually.
University Of San Francisco placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,873.
Loyola Marymount University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career marketing graduates from Loyola Marymount University make a median of around $82,022 per year.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California typically earn about $58,515 annually.
University Of Phoenix California came in at #10 for marketing graduate earnings this year. University Of Phoenix California is a private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Marketing graduates of University Of Phoenix California earn a median of about $63,549 a year early in their careers.
Ashford University came in at #11 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Ashford University earn a median of about $50,570 a year early in their careers.
California Baptist University earned the #12 position for marketing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career marketing graduates from California Baptist University make a median of around $65,667 per year.
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Marketing graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $69,084 a year early in their careers.
Menlo College earned the #14 position for marketing graduate earnings this year. Menlo College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atherton. Early-career marketing graduates from Menlo College make a median of around $49,788 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries marketing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.