by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value marketing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Strayer University Global Region earned the #1 spot for value among marketing schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, Strayer University Global Region is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $45,932. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Strayer University Global Region generally make around $59,916. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt.
George Washington University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,250. Marketing graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $54,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Georgetown University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $74,819. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #4 place for marketing. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Howard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #5 spot this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,500. Marketing graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.