Compare 8 Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,131. Top programs: $61,886+.
With top graduates earning $61,886, Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Syracuse University's Consumer Merchandising program leads with graduates earning $61,886, well above the $51,131 average across all programs. But Oregon State University ($56,356) and Virginia Tech ($54,705) demonstrate that strong outcomes aren't limited to private institutions—these public programs compete directly with higher-profile schools.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Oregon State graduates borrow $21,221 and face just an 8.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, students can manage their loans comfortably while building their retail management careers.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $61,886 | 33 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #2 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $56,356 | 51 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #3 | $54,705 | 90 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #4 | $53,617 | 35 | $19,500 | Good | $29,448 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $51,158 | 5 | $27,000 | Manageable | $41,405 | High |
| #6 | University Of HoustonPublic | $50,613 | 60 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #7 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $45,651 | 19 | $18,500 | Good | $20,855 | High |
| #8 | $35,060 | 7 | $25,148 | High | $99,784 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
