by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their marketing graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying marketing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose marketing graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Des Moines Area Community College the top school for marketing graduate earnings in Iowa. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Marketing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of about $52,544 a year early in their careers.
Drake University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in marketing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Drake University earn a median of about $82,473 a year early in their careers.
University Of Iowa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,795.
Loras College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Loras College earn a median of about $74,007 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying marketing schools. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Early-career marketing graduates from Iowa State University make a median of around $68,459 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa typically earn about $67,282 annually.
Upper Iowa University came in at #7 for marketing graduate earnings this year. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,781.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #8 spot for marketing salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. Marketing graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of about $45,159 a year early in their careers.
University Of Dubuque placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for marketing. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of about $62,803 a year early in their careers.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #10 spot for marketing salaries this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,849.
Grand View University landed the #11 spot for marketing salaries this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career marketing graduates from Grand View University make a median of around $58,421 per year.
Buena Vista University earned the #12 position for marketing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,087.
Mount Mercy University landed the #13 spot for marketing salaries this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marketing graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $54,878 a year early in their careers.
Dordt College landed the #14 spot for marketing salaries this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, marketing degree recipients from Dordt College typically earn about $43,944 annually.
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.