by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marketing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for marketing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Portland Community College, our #1 best value for marketing in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,648. Early-career marketing graduates make about $49,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #2 place for marketing. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Marketing graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $41,395. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Oregon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,184, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Eastern Oregon University generally make around $43,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oregon State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $45,015. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at University Of Portland, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $22,821 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $41,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Portland admits about 89% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.