Marketing at Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,480/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (204,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #184 of 502 Marketing programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Marketing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $573K $563K $512K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.1x 11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.9x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,032
Out-of-state: $115,064 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,592
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,825
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,408
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,480/yr, roughly in line with the $45,450 national median for Marketing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Marketing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Marketing's typical career paths, with 54% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,825 represents roughly 6 months of the $42,480 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #184 of 502 Marketing programs, Ball State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $42,480 to $60,408 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Ball State University

Ball State University accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,770 students in Muncie, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Ball State University →

Top Career Paths

Marketing managers $161,030/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Advertising and promotions managers $126,960/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Marketing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ball State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Marketing at Ball State University?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Marketing field.
Will AI replace Marketing careers?
With 54% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $512,212 in decade earnings vs $572,862 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →