by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 110 schools to find the best return on investment for marketing students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among marketing schools in the Southwest Region. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,589 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $11,589 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #2 place for marketing. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,160. Early-career marketing graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Collin County Community College District, which ranked #4. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #5 place for marketing. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $19,223. Marketing graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in marketing this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,297 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $33,191. That is a strong return on a $21,297 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Laredo Community College earned the #7 position for value in marketing this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #8 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,912 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $30,173. That is a strong return on a $16,912 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University placed #9 among the best values for marketing. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University placed #10 among the best values for marketing. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $43,457 early in their careers. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #11 for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #12 among the best values for marketing. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $33,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #14 spot for marketing value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $24,081. Early-career marketing graduates make about $43,941. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #15 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $36,862. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #16 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $16,551 in student loans. Marketing graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $31,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,551 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Marketing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $46,659. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #18 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $10,447. Marketing graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $46,267. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Phoenix College earned the #20 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Marketing graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #21 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $32,084. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Houston placed #22 among the best values for marketing. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $17,370. Early-career marketing graduates make about $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Mesa Community College earned the #23 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University came in at #24 for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $34,015. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midwestern State University placed #25 among the best values for marketing. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $28,026. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $45,018. Set against $28,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.