Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations graduates earn a median $59,631 four years after finishing — $11,271/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,902/yr net price ($67,608 over four years), that pays back in about 6 years. Federal data pools 85 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 2,252 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ranks #109 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 47% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | PA | $80,764 |
| 2 | Northwood University | MI | $77,647 |
| 3 | Marist University | NY | $74,534 |
| 4 | Fashion Institute of Technology | NY | $70,727 |
| 5 | Lasell University | MA | $69,156 |
| 6 | Baylor University | TX | $67,066 |
| 7 | LIM College | NY | $66,968 |
| 8 | Texas Tech University | TX | $66,440 |
| 9 | Texas Christian University | TX | $66,108 |
| 10 | Seattle Pacific University | WA | $62,392 |
| 11 | Texas Woman's University | TX | $62,009 |
| 12 | University of Georgia | GA | $61,955 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.
How fast does Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations pay grow after graduation?
From $27,168 one year out to $59,631 four years out — a $32,463 climb, or 119% over three years. Both are federal medians of the same graduating cohorts, so the gap reflects real wage progression rather than a change in who is measured.
How many students graduate in Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations each year?
About 2,252 bachelor's graduates a year across 85 programs in the federal file. Cohort size matters when reading the median: a field this size averages across a wide range of employers, regions and job titles.