Marketing at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,072/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (204,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.0x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 502 Marketing programs Top 5%

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 $643K $624K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.6x 21.0x 18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.1x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,408
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,408
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,072 per year, Marketing graduates from San Francisco State University earn slightly above the $45,450 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.0x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $12,408 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #21 of 502 nationally, this is a top-5% Marketing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $52,072 to $73,408 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Marketing at San Francisco State University?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Marketing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $555,902 in decade earnings vs $642,529 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes San Francisco State University's Marketing program stand out?
Ranked #21 of 502 programs nationally, San Francisco State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →