Best Schools for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates earn a median of $75,054 within four years of graduating, ranking #85 out of 283 tracked majors — 20% above the median across all fields. There are 33 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 2,202 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Baylor University graduates earn $125,167 while Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts graduates earn $37,244 — a $87,923 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates see an average 1% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$75,054

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#85

of 283 Majors

2,202

Graduates

Public vs Private: General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

Public (21 schools)

$74,319

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (11 schools)

$78,358

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $4,039 more in early earnings on average for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations by State

Also by state: Utah

Top General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations Schools by Graduate Earnings

Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private

$125,167

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

2yr: $84,653 (21)

1yr: $71,388 (23)

Acceptance: 51.0%

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$86,245

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

2yr: $52,198 (12)

1yr: $55,026 (23)

Acceptance: 80.6%

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public

$79,147

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

2yr: $55,964 (25)

1yr: $56,385 (31)

Acceptance: 69.2%

Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

New York, NY · Public

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK · Public

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$74,557

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 90.1%

#12

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL · Private

$73,435

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public

University of Hartford

West Hartford, CT · Private

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Oshkosh, WI · Public

$66,875

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

Virginia Union University

Richmond, VA · Private

$64,924

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $28,212 (14)

Acceptance: 97.7%

#20

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

SUNY Old Westbury

Old Westbury, NY · Public

$48,624

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $38,289 (15)

Acceptance: 84.6%

#23

Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts

Saint Louis, MO · For-Profit

$37,244

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $25,658 (21)

Acceptance: 71.4%

#24

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN · Private

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$48,041

2yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public

$46,087

2yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA · Public

St. Thomas Aquinas College

Sparkill, NY · Private

$42,435

2yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY · Public

Barry University

Miami, FL · Private

$36,134

2yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Long Island University

Brookville, NY · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

1yr: $39,797 (19)

Grads: 19

Acceptance: 89.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Economics $48,354 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions $48,317 Agricultural Mechanization $48,267 Medical Illustration and Informatics $48,065 Biological/Biosystems Engineering $47,836 Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician $47,798

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations?

Baylor University ranks #1 for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations with median graduate earnings of $125,167 within four years of graduating. There are 33 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates earn?

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates earn an average of $75,054 within four years of graduating. This is 20% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $37,244 to $125,167 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations program?

The average acceptance rate across General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations programs is 73.5%. The most selective program is at Tuskegee University with a 31.4% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations?

Private General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations programs average $78,358 in early earnings vs $74,319 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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