What can you do with a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from Columbia College Chicago 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Marketing graduates from Columbia College Chicago have a lower likelihood (-8%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, only 8% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago?
• What do Marketing graduates from Columbia College Chicago do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago?
• What are the best colleges for Marketing?

View a random Marketing graduate from Columbia College Chicago and our analysis:

Relevance score: 58% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2018 from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION E-Commerce Merchandise Coordinator Custom Personalization Solutions Aug 2019 - Apr 2021 As an E-Commerce Merchandise Coordinator, the role requires marketing skills and knowledge that directly align with the individual's Bachelors degree in Marketing, utilizing marketing strategies on a daily basis. Transaction Coordinator and Marketing Associate Stephanie Cutter Group Apr 2021 - Oct 2023 The position as Transaction Coordinator and Marketing Associate may involve some transferable skills from marketing, but the core duties likely focus more on administrative and transactional aspects which are not directly related to marketing principles. Account Coordinator Douglas Shaw & Associates Oct 2023 - Present The role of Account Coordinator does not require specific marketing knowledge or skills, as it likely centers on client support and management rather than the strategic aspects of marketing. ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Project Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Photo Stylist
• Store Manager
• Freelance Writer
• Project Designer
• Outside Sales Representative
• Assistant Project Manager
• Barista
• Educational Assistant

After analyzing the various jobs held by graduates from Columbia College Chicago who studied Marketing, it’s clear that there are a few common trends. Many individuals have taken on roles that lean towards retail and sales, such as Store Managers at different clothing brands or Sales Representatives in various industries. While these positions often involve customer interaction and a grasp of consumer behavior—which are certainly important in marketing—most of them don’t directly engage with the core principles of marketing, like strategizing or analyzing market trends. It's like being on the outskirts of the marketing world; they have some elements but aren’t the heart of it.

On the brighter side, there are also a good number of graduates who have found positions that are very much aligned with the marketing field. Jobs like Marketing Manager, Content Strategy Specialist, and Marketing Intern leverage what they learned during their degrees. These roles clearly apply marketing strategies and principles in various ways—whether it’s through digital marketing or product management. So, while some graduates ended up in positions where marketing knowledge wasn't directly applied, others definitely dove in headfirst, showing that a degree in marketing can indeed open up some exciting doors!

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 Columbia College Chicago):

What kind of career trajectories do Marketing graduates from Columbia College Chicago have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Columbia College Chicago who studied Marketing, you can see a mix of paths that reflect both the versatility of a marketing degree and the challenges of the job market. For many, the first jobs after graduation often involve roles like store managers, sales representatives, or various assistant positions in marketing or merchandising. These entry-level roles typically help them gain practical experience while building their professional networks. Over the first few years, it seems like some graduates stay closely tied to marketing, moving into more specialized positions such as marketing coordinators, social media managers, or content strategists, especially if they leverage internships or jobs related to their field while studying.

Fast forward about five to ten years after graduation, and while some folks are thriving in their marketing careers—holding leadership positions like Marketing Managers and Directors—others seem to drift into roles that, while perhaps still within a business context, might not be strictly centered around marketing. There are graduates working as project managers or even in procurement, which suggests that not everyone stays in the marketing lane. However, there are definitely success stories here, with many individuals establishing solid careers in marketing, digital strategies, and content development. Overall, the alumni network shows that a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago can lead to promising paths, especially for those who actively pursue opportunities that align with their studies and passions.

How hard is a Marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Columbia College Chicago is about what you'd expect—it's challenging, but definitely doable if you’re motivated and willing to put in the effort. The coursework covers a mix of creative and analytical skills, so you’ll be diving into everything from consumer behavior to digital marketing strategies. It can get a little intense with projects and presentations, especially if you're not the best at public speaking or group work, but if you stay organized and engaged, you'll likely find it manageable. Overall, it’s not the easiest route, but it’s also not the hardest; it’s really about finding your groove and making the most of the learning experience.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marketing.

Do Marketing graduates from Columbia College Chicago tend to make good money?

Looking at the job history of these Columbia College Chicago Marketing grads, it seems like they’ve had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to salary potential. Some, like the one who climbed up the ranks at Static Media and ultimately became a Director, probably made decent money, while others, especially those in more entry-level or freelance roles, might not be raking it in just yet. The ones working in retail or at places like Walgreens likely are earning more middle-of-the-road salaries, which is pretty common in those fields. Overall, it doesn’t look like they’re all making bank, but with experience, some of them are definitely on a path to better earnings down the line!

What buzzwords do Marketing graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Columbia College Chicago). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Marketing?

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:

College	Score	Count
Gonzaga University	84	10
University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business	81	13
Florida International University - College of Business	78	12
University of Wisconsin-Madison	76	17
University of Florida	75	18
University of Arizona	75	11
Portland State University	75	13
California State University, Long Beach	75	14
Bowling Green State University	74	13
LIM College	74	14
Michigan State University	73	11
Rider University	73	16
University of Colorado Boulder	72	15
Minnesota State University, Mankato	72	16
Bentley University	72	21
The Ohio State University	71	17
Fairfield University	71	11
John Carroll University	71	10
Florida State University	70	44
University of Kentucky	70	18
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	70	16
Davenport University	70	17
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business	70	29
Brigham Young University - Idaho	69	11
The University of Georgia	69	14
University of Delaware	69	17
Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business	69	10
Iowa State University	68	10
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	68	14
University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management	68	15
Colorado State University	67	17
Grand Valley State University	67	30
Georgia State University	67	29
Kean University	67	15
Loyola Marymount University	67	19
Lindenwood University	67	11
California State University, Fullerton	66	26
University of Iowa	66	15
Old Dominion University	66	12
University of Nevada-Las Vegas	66	16
Indiana Wesleyan University	66	10
Loyola University Maryland	66	15
Arizona State University - W. P. Carey School of Business	66	14
Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business	66	12
Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business	66	14
Penn State University	65	50
Florida International University	65	24
Southern New Hampshire University	65	28
Auburn University	65	14
Oregon State University	65	12
The University of Texas at San Antonio	65	34
The University of Alabama	65	31
Virginia Tech	65	12
Utah Valley University	65	11
Eastern Michigan University	65	19
California State University, Chico	65	10
Seton Hall University	65	10
University of Houston	64	13
San Diego State University	64	32
Virginia Commonwealth University	64	15
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	64	16
Florida Gulf Coast University	64	10
University of Central Missouri	64	12
University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business	64	12
East Carolina University	63	17
California State University, Northridge	63	27
University of Arkansas	63	33
Appalachian State University	63	14
College of Charleston	63	15
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	63	16
University of Dayton	63	15
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania	63	15
University of Cincinnati College of Business	63	11
University of South Florida	62	62
University of Nebraska-Lincoln	62	20
Boise State University	62	16
North Dakota State University	62	14
University of Nevada, Reno	62	13
The University of Southern Mississippi	62	14
Providence College	62	13
University of Central Florida	61	67
Texas A&M University	61	40
Louisiana State University	61	29
Miami University	61	28
University of Illinois at Chicago	61	11
San Diego State University-California State University	61	18
University of Louisville	61	23
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	61	14
Western Governors University	60	38
Kent State University	60	21
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	60	23
Central Michigan University	60	14
Florida Atlantic University	60	25
Ball State University	60	17
Montclair State University	60	13
California State University-Fullerton	60	12
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	60	10
Wichita State University	60	11
Salisbury University	60	11
Monmouth University	60	12
Columbus State University	60	10
Siena College	60	17
James Madison University	59	24
University of Pittsburgh	59	16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	59	24
Kennesaw State University	59	22
Georgia Southern University	59	20
DePaul University	59	17
Northern Illinois University	59	23
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	59	46
Columbia College Chicago	59	12
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	59	21
Quinnipiac University	59	16
Southeastern Louisiana University	59	10
University of Montana	59	11
University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business	59	14
Texas State University	58	33
Illinois State University	58	19
West Virginia University	58	23
Rowan University	58	16
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	58	19
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater	58	15
Eastern Illinois University	58	13
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi	58	15
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business	58	11
University of North Texas	57	44
The University of Texas at Arlington	57	12
University of Oklahoma	57	12
Baylor University	57	12
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	57	11
California State University, Fresno	57	16
The University of Akron	57	17
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	57	10
Cleveland State University	57	14
Hofstra University	57	15
University of San Diego	57	12
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business	57	26
Roger Williams University	57	11
Pace University - Lubin School of Business	57	10
University of Missouri-Columbia	56	28
Missouri State University	56	16
Baruch College	56	25
University of San Francisco	56	11
University of St. Thomas	56	16
Sacred Heart University	56	15
Jacksonville State University	56	10
University of Phoenix	55	29
San Jose State University	55	30
Towson University	55	25
Western Washington University	55	15
Stephen F. Austin State University	55	12
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	55	10
Temple University - Fox School of Business and Management	55	12
Liberty University	54	10
San Francisco State University	54	33
Texas Tech University	54	17
Wright State University	54	14
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business	54	17
Bryant University	54	16
University of Washington	53	10
Indiana University Bloomington	53	16
Grand Canyon University	53	18
University of Cincinnati	53	23
Clemson University	53	29
University of North Florida	53	17
California State University San Marcos	53	13
University of Central Oklahoma	53	10
State University of New York College at Oswego	53	10
Ohio University	52	15
Kansas State University	52	28
Mississippi State University	52	21
Loyola University Chicago	52	10
Coastal Carolina University	52	25
Sonoma State University	52	11
Temple University	51	20
Oklahoma State University	51	40
Western Michigan University	51	11
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale	51	17
Northern Kentucky University	51	16
The College of New Jersey	51	17
University of North Georgia	51	11
Northwood University	51	14
Florida State University - College of Business	51	16
California State University-Long Beach	50	12
Johnson & Wales University	50	11
University of West Georgia	50	16
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	50	21
Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business	50	12
California State University-Northridge	49	19
University of Alabama	49	15
University of Tampa	49	15
University of Northern Colorado	49	11
University of Denver	49	10
Georgia Gwinnett College	48	11
Washington State University	47	15
The University of Texas at Dallas	47	17
Sam Houston State University	47	13
Oakland University	47	20
Radford University	47	13
Saint Joseph's University	47	14
Louisiana Tech University	46	12
Indiana University of Pennsylvania	45	17
Suffolk University	45	12
Fox School of Business at Temple University	45	14
University of Mississippi	44	18
East Tennessee State University	44	17
California State University-San Bernardino	43	10
California State University-Los Angeles	43	11
St. Cloud State University	43	12
The University of Memphis	42	10
Tarleton State University	41	13
University of South Alabama	38	10
Metropolitan State University of Denver	37	12
New Mexico State University	33	11
Abilene Christian University	29	11