by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a marketing degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their marketing graduates.
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Below are the schools whose marketing graduates go on to earn the most.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #1 spot for highest-paid marketing graduates in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $62,427 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the highest-paying schools for marketing. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Marketing graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $62,637 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in marketing will find them at Belmont University, which ranked #3. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Marketing graduates of Belmont University earn a median of about $52,670 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Memphis earned it the #4 place for marketing. University Of Memphis is a public school located in the city of Memphis. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,803.
Strong graduate earnings at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #5 place for marketing. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,694.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin typically earn about $52,397 annually.
Lipscomb University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of about $41,660 a year early in their careers.
East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Marketing graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $45,416 a year early in their careers.
Union University came in at #9 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Union University typically earn about $38,886 annually.
Austin Peay State University came in at #10 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,334.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.