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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 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.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among marketing schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #3 place for marketing. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Students borrow a median of $23,763 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $44,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,900. Early-career marketing graduates make about $36,518. That is a strong return on a $23,900 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
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Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,198 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $56,465. That is a strong return on a $21,198 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $47,740. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $26,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $43,722. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Cleveland State University placed #9 among the best values for marketing. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $24,219. Marketing graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $43,706 early in their careers. Set against $24,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #10 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Marketing graduates carry a median of $24,885 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $51,387. Set against $24,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #11 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $44,567. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Shawnee State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,233. Early-career marketing graduates make about $42,878. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marietta College landed the #13 spot for marketing value this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $44,959. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $55,022 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $24,250. Marketing graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,272 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ashland University placed #16 among the best values for marketing. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $50,812. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mount Union earned the #17 position for value in marketing this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Students borrow a median of $26,841 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $49,025. Set against $26,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in marketing this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Franklin University placed #19 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Students borrow a median of $30,749 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $51,089 early in their careers. Set against $30,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital University landed the #20 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $50,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Cedarville University earned the #21 position for value in marketing this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $19,500. Marketing graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $45,025 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Tiffin University earned the #22 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $40,719. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $37,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $26,970. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $44,584. That is a strong return on a $26,970 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Miami University Oxford ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $21,963 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $59,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marketing value ranking:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.