Compare 6 Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $77,252. Top programs: $128,600+.
With top graduates earning $128,600, 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 $51K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 6 ranked programs, the data rewards specificity.
Topping the list, Savannah College of Art and Design delivers $128,600 in median earnings for Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management graduates—well above the $77K field average. Syracuse University ranks second at $90,210, while Purdue University ($69,246) demonstrates that public institutions compete seriously in this field. School reputation alone predicts none of this.
For students borrowing independently, Savannah College of Art and Design graduates carry $25,148 in student debt with just a 3.3% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier. For families factoring in parent loans, Syracuse University leads: its 14.6% family burden lands in the 'Manageable' category, the lowest among schools where parent borrowing is part of the equation.
Highest program earnings: $128,600
Strong outcomes ($128,600) with 83% acceptance
3.3% payment burden | Excellent
14.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $128,600 | 21 | $25,148 | Excellent | $99,784 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $90,210 | 27 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Manageable |
| #3 | $69,246 | 32 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $65,248 | 86 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $56,800 | 21 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #6 | University Of HoustonPublic | $53,410 | 54 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Manageable |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
