First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from James Madison 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 24 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Marketing graduates from James Madison University 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.
Also, after graduating, only 12% 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: 86%![]() DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRegional Account Manager![]() Cogent Communications Jun 2010 - Feb 2011 Associate, Strategic Partnerships ![]() SmartBrief Aug 2011 - Aug 2014 Account Director, Higher Education ![]() SmartBrief Aug 2014 - Dec 2016 Associate Publisher, Higher Education ![]() SmartBrief Jan 2017 - Feb 2020 Publisher, Higher Education & Nonprofit ![]() SmartBrief Feb 2020 - Present Vice President of Sales, Education & Nonprofit ![]() SmartBrief Jun 2024 - Present ABOUTSpecialties: digital advertising, lead generation, customer service, marketing, marketing communications, sales |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the careers of graduates from James Madison University's Marketing program, it's clear that there are a mixed bag of job roles that vary quite a bit in their relevance to marketing. Many graduates have found themselves in positions like account managers, project managers, and various roles in sales and business analysis. While some of these jobs do involve marketing elements, such as customer communication or promotional activities, others seem to stray far from the core marketing principles learned in school. For example, many positions in recruitment or project management don’t really capitalize on the marketing-specific skills like digital marketing strategies or market analysis.
On the flip side, there are also several graduates who dove straight into jobs that are right on the money for what marketing is all about. Roles like Digital Marketing Manager, SEO Manager, and PPC Account Manager are perfect examples where graduates can fully express the knowledge and skills they've obtained through their degree. These more specialized positions not only align directly with marketing but also highlight the creativity and strategic thinking that's fundamental in this field. Overall, while many careers taken up by JMU marketing graduates may not fully utilize their degree, there are definitely noteworthy examples where alumni are making the most of their education in actual marketing-focused roles.
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 James Madison University):
When you look at the career trajectories of graduates from James Madison University who studied marketing, you can see a pretty clear pattern. For many, their first jobs right out of college tend to be either in account management or project management roles, often working for companies in marketing, health care, or education. These entry-level positions give them the chance to build hands-on experience, which seems to lead them toward more senior roles in the same field as time goes on. A solid number of graduates have moved up to management or leadership positions within companies, particularly in marketing and strategy-focused roles, indicating that a marketing degree from JMU can really set you up for success in related careers.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you see many of these alumni advancing significantly in their careers. Graduates who started in roles like account managers or marketing coordinators often find themselves in higher positions, such as digital marketing managers or program managers. Some even achieve executive-level roles! However, there are a few graduates who ventured off into other fields, like teaching or roles that don’t directly relate to marketing, which is not uncommon in any area of study. Overall, it looks like most JMU marketing grads are carving out solid careers in marketing and related domains, which is promising for anyone considering a path in this field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at James Madison University can be pretty manageable if you're motivated and organized. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not on the super tough side compared to some other majors like engineering or the hard sciences. You’ll dive into a mix of creative and analytical courses, which can make things interesting, but if you enjoy working on projects and collaborating with others, you might find it more enjoyable than challenging. Plus, like any degree, it really depends on your personal strengths and interests—if you love coming up with ideas and understanding consumer behavior, you might find it’s right up your alley!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marketing.
So, if we take a look at these Marketing grads from James Madison University, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well financially, while others might still be finding their footing. For instance, the ones who graduated around 2010 to 2014 have climbed the ladder to higher roles with titles like Publisher or Vice President, which usually comes with a decent paycheck. On the flip side, newer grads, especially those from 2022 and 2023, are often still juggling internships and entry-level jobs, which probably means they’re not making as much yet. Overall, it looks like if you stick with it and gain experience, you could end up earning a good salary, but you might need to hustle a bit in the beginning!
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 James Madison 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: