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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Garden City Community College, our #1 best value for marketing in Kansas. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Washburn University one of the best values for marketing. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $47,963. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #3 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,250. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Johnson County Community College one of the best values for marketing. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Marketing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $45,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Kansas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $21,893. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,204. That is a strong return on a $21,893 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University placed #7 among the best values for marketing. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,000. Marketing graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $40,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College landed the #8 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Marketing graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
Kansas State University earned the #9 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $50,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University earned the #10 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,994. Marketing graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $44,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,994 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Benedictine College landed the #11 spot for marketing value this year. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. Students from in state pay about $36,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,701. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $42,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.