Rankings / MBA
Best MBA Programs for Marketing
- 41
- Schools
- $89,784
- Avg. Earnings
- 83%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,926
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,028
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 41 programs run from $59,626 to $138,950, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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The University of Texas Permian Basin delivers the most for the money: roughly $61,557 in median earnings against $5,070 a year in tuition, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The University of Texas Permian Basin is the lowest-cost program here at $5,070 a year in tuition.
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University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, versus a 83% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Cornell University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.11× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($83,742 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Babson College ($138,950), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- The University of Texas Permian Basin costs $5,070 a year and University of Pennsylvania costs $87,970. Yet their graduates earn $61,557 and $121,687, nowhere near the $82,900 price gap.
- On value, The University of Texas Permian Basin beats Babson College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the tuition.
The Takeaway
The programs that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with The University of Texas Permian Basin and University of Pennsylvania. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $84K within a decade, and marketing manager roles are projected to grow 8%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-11-02
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation.
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #1 overall | $83,742 ▼ -7% vs avg | $657 | 71% | 85 |
| 2 Emory University #2 overall | $93,897 ▲ +5% vs avg | $16,754 | 91% | 85 |
| 3 Babson College #3 overall | $138,950 ▲ +55% vs avg | $34,096 | 92% | 85 |
| $114,210 ▲ +27% vs avg | $12,028 | 94% | 84 | |
| $113,531 ▲ +26% vs avg | $33,934 | 95% | 84 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs for Marketing
This analysis ranks 41 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $89,784 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 83% and an average net price of $19,926.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $657 | Graduation Rate: 71%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Babson College — Median alumni earnings: $138,950
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$83,742
Median earnings (10yr)
86%
Median graduation rate
$16,337
Median net price
2.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Business and MBA programs sell acceleration: faster paths into management, bigger networks, and a salary step-change. The return is famously dispersed, though. A handful of programs deliver enormous ROI through placement and alumni networks, while many barely clear the cost of attendance. Management education is less a single product than a wide spectrum of outcomes.
Across the 41 programs on this list, graduates earn a median of $83,742 ten years after they first enrolled, about $35,742 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 86%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $16,337 a year, with about $17,417 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.6%.
What we’re seeing: value concentrates where networks and employer pipelines are strongest, and ROI varies more here than in almost any other field. Median earnings reach $83,742 ten years after enrollment, with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College at the top of the list. The spread between the best programs and the median is the real story of an MBA.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #1 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $83,742 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $657 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Emory University lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $93,897 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,754 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Babson College lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $138,950 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,096 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,028 net
Why it ranks #4
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #4 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $114,210 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,028 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Cornell University lands at #5 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $113,531 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,934 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Notre Dame lands at #6 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $113,124 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,339 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Florida lands at #7 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $78,456 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,969 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,305 net
Why it ranks #8
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #8 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $81,094 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,305 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Washington University in St Louis lands at #9 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $91,497 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,360 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Rice University lands at #10 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $90,773 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,164 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Georgia lands at #11 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $77,246 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,636 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Florida State University lands at #12 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (74/100). Graduates earn a median $68,225 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,605 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Wake Forest University lands at #13 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $104,443 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,165 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Brigham Young University lands at #14 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,228 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Georgetown University lands at #15 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $110,516 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,661 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
San Jose State University lands at #16 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (72/100). Graduates earn a median $83,493 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,241 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
William & Mary lands at #17 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $83,488 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,880 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #18 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $125,257 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,780 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Boston College lands at #19 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $112,178 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,930 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Lehigh University lands at #20 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $116,342 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,272 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #21 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $71,282 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,382 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Southern California lands at #22 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $103,420 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,056 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $25,808 net
Why it ranks #23
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #23 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $88,716 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,808 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Pennsylvania lands at #24 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $121,687 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,577 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of Central Florida lands at #25 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (72/100). Graduates earn a median $63,483 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,516 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #26 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $61,557 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,070 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Bentley University lands at #27 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $126,427 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,969 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of North Florida lands at #28 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (72/100). Graduates earn a median $59,626 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,689 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #29 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $81,694 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,554 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Santa Clara University lands at #30 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $117,193 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,570 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Binghamton University lands at #31 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $89,136 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,907 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Florida Atlantic University lands at #32 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $61,062 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,394 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
University of South Florida lands at #33 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $63,660 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,648 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #34 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $74,762 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Florida International University lands at #35 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $65,722 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
San Diego State University lands at #36 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $73,494 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,243 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
George Mason University lands at #37 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $79,923 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,697 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of Delaware lands at #38 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $83,800 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,337 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
University of San Diego lands at #39 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $93,069 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,539 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Saint Peter's University lands at #40 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $63,525 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,127 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of Denver lands at #41 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $77,205 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,961 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 41 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Marketing Managers and related roles — a field with $156,580 median pay and 8% projected growth.
See the Marketing Manager career guide →When considering an MBA with a focus on marketing, students are often drawn to programs that blend strong academic foundations with real-world applicability. These schools help prepare graduates for critical roles in brand management, digital marketing, and even the path to becoming a Chief Marketing Officer. With average earnings for top graduates hitting around $82,318, it's clear that these choices can significantly impact future career trajectories.
The most effective MBA programs for marketing stand out based on key outcomes like graduation rates, earning potential, and student debt. The data below highlights schools where graduates not only complete their degrees but also achieve substantial financial success while managing reasonable debt levels. It's important to interpret these figures in context; for example, a school with high earnings but also high debt may present a different risk-reward scenario compared to one with lower earnings but much less debt.
Take CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Cornell University as examples. Baruch graduates earn an average of $75,971, with a graduation rate of 72% and a net price of just $3,033. In contrast, Cornell's graduates achieve an average of $104,043, with an impressive 95% graduation rate, but they face a higher net price of $28,690. These differences illustrate the trade-offs students must consider when selecting a program that aligns with their career goals and financial situation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 41 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.6%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with Saint Peter's University (5.5%) and San Jose State University (5.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.3% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College enrolls the most, at 27.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 43.8% across the list, peaking at 68.2% at Babson College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Boston College is highest at 1.89.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
Looking closely at the data, a notable pattern emerges between University of Pennsylvania and University of Florida. While Penn graduates enjoy the highest earnings at $111,371, they also face a higher debt burden of $15,715. On the other hand, Florida's graduates earn significantly less at $71,588 but have a more manageable debt level. This contrast highlights how financial considerations can influence a student's choice of program based on their individual career aspirations and financial situation.
For students and families sifting through these options, it's essential to weigh these figures against personal priorities. Consider factors like location, the fit of the program with career goals, and the campus environment. A school's reputation might matter, but so does the cost and the potential return on investment. Make a checklist of what matters most: Is it post-graduation support? Internship opportunities? The network you’ll build?
Ultimately, the data reveals a critical truth about the path from college to a stable life: financial outcomes are deeply tied to the choices we make in education. Each prospective student represents a family making a pivotal decision that could shape their economic future. As we weigh these options, it's clear that the right MBA program can serve as a powerful stepping stone toward a secure and fulfilling career.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best MBA Programs for Marketing: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs for Marketing ranking? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs for Marketing ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $83,742 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 71% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which program has the highest graduate earnings? +
Babson College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $138,950 ten years after enrollment, well above the $89,784 average across the 41 ranked programs with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which program offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, The University of Texas Permian Basin leads: graduates earn a median $61,557 against tuition of about $5,070 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 83% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does an MBA cost at these schools? +
Across the 38 programs with verified tuition, annual MBA tuition averages $40,446, ranging from about $7,994 a year at Florida Atlantic University to $87,970 at University of Pennsylvania. These are tuition figures pulled from official program pages (in-state where the school is public), not estimated net price.
How is the Best MBA Programs for Marketing ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 41 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation. →
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