by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a marketing degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find where marketing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose marketing graduates go on to earn the most.
Elon University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools in North Carolina. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Marketing graduates of Elon University earn a median of about $86,296 a year early in their careers.
East Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,720.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #3 place for marketing. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $66,750 annually.
A rank of #4 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the highest-paying schools for marketing. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. Marketing graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of about $58,266 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Early-career marketing graduates from Appalachian State University make a median of around $59,640 per year.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #6 spot for marketing salaries this year. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Marketing graduates of Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn a median of about $55,595 a year early in their careers.
Meredith College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Meredith College earn a median of about $45,883 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #8 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of about $45,880 a year early in their careers.
Methodist University came in at #9 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Marketing graduates of Methodist University earn a median of about $45,698 a year early in their careers.
Campbell University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Campbell University typically earn about $49,059 annually.
Western Carolina University landed the #11 spot for marketing salaries this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career marketing graduates from Western Carolina University make a median of around $57,435 per year.
Wingate University came in at #12 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Wingate University typically earn about $36,777 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their marketing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 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.