First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from Ball State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Marketing graduates from Ball State University have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 23% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Marketing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 60%![]() DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Ball State University with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONServer![]() FoxGardin Family Kitchen Aug 2019 - Jun 2022 Account Manager ![]() Drew Federau - State Farm Insurance Agent Mar 2020 - Jun 2022 Customer Success Manager ![]() V Digital Services Jun 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on the job titles and descriptions of those who graduated with a Marketing degree from Ball State University, it seems like many of them have ventured into sales and customer-facing roles. Common positions include Inside Sales, District Sales Manager, and Account Manager. While some of these jobs do incorporate elements of marketing—like understanding customer needs or promoting products—many roles don’t deeply engage with core marketing concepts such as market research or campaign management. Instead, they often lean more toward sales strategies and customer service, which, while related, don’t fully utilize the marketing skills learned in school.
Overall, a significant number of these graduates end up in positions that have some relevance to their marketing education, especially in sales and brand management roles, but not all are directly tied to marketing. Jobs like Administrative Assistant or Claims Resolution Representative show that there are also many who took paths that diverged from marketing-specific roles, focusing instead on operational or managerial tasks that lack a direct connection to the principles they learned. So, while a marketing degree opens some doors, the reality is that many graduates find themselves in roles where they aren’t strictly applying their expertise in marketing methodologies or strategies.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Marketing graduates (this is across all Marketing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Ball State University with a Marketing degree, it seems that their paths vary quite a bit. Many graduates start off in sales or entry-level positions right after graduation, like sales agents or coordinators. Jobs like inside sales and marketing coordination appear to be popular stepping stones. For instance, graduates from 2010 to 2018 have taken their first jobs in sales or marketing support roles, which makes sense since these positions allow them to gain hands-on experience in the marketing realm and build a foundation for future growth. However, there are also graduates who took positions that seem less aligned with marketing, like roles in security or the military, indicating that some may explore varied paths after college.
As for the long-term picture, about five to ten years down the line, it looks like many of these graduates start to secure more senior roles, often moving into management or specialized positions like District Sales Managers or Executive Assistants. Some stick closely to marketing, transitioning into roles like Marketing Manager or Brand Manager, while others drift away from marketing altogether into fields like logistics or insurance management. While there are several promising paths in marketing, not every graduate lands in a role that's directly related to their degree, which highlights the unpredictable nature of career paths post-college. Overall, while many graduates do find success in relevant marketing careers, there's also a portion that opts for more generalist roles or completely different fields altogether.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Ball State University—or really, anywhere—is kind of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the hardest. You’ll get into some cool stuff like consumer behavior, digital marketing, and market research, which can be interesting and fun. Some classes might be a little challenging, especially if you’re not super into numbers or data analysis, but if you stay organized and manage your time well, you should be fine. Overall, it’s a pretty manageable path as long as you keep up with your work and engage in your classes. Plus, there are usually plenty of resources and support to help you out along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marketing.
Looking at the career paths of these Ball State graduates, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag when it comes to income potential. Some have landed solid roles in sales and management, especially those in insurance and logistics, which usually pay well over time. Others are still in lower-paying positions or have spent time as homemakers, which definitely reflects lower income levels. For example, the graduates from 2017 who have worked at a company like Hershey or in management at GEICO are likely making decent salaries, while those in service roles like serving at a restaurant or working as a sales assistant might be earning a bit less. Overall, it looks like many of them are on the right track but may need a few more years or a few promotions to really start seeing that dollar sign in a big way.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Marketing (this is across all Marketing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ball State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Marketing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Marketing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: