Marketing at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,417/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (204,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #46 of 502 Marketing programs Top 10%

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 $697K $672K $590K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 10.9x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,451
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $56,417 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University come in 24% above the national median of $45,450 for Marketing programs.

The 10.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 54% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $56,417 far exceeding the $22,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #46 ranking out of 502 Marketing programs nationally puts Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $56,417 to $82,451 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

A 57% admission rate makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Marketing program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Marketing graduates.
How vulnerable is Marketing to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Marketing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 54% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →