Compare 10 Retailing and Retail Operations. programs in the South. Average earnings: $58,246.
Retailing and Retail Operations programs produce graduates earning between $16,682 and $129,286—a $113K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 10 ranked programs in the South, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Baylor University's Retailing and Retail Operations program leads with graduates earning $129,286—significantly above the $58,246 regional average. Kennesaw State University follows at $77,423, while Texas A&M College Station delivers $66,372 with the largest cohort at 362 students, proving that strong outcomes aren't limited to private institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Baylor graduates borrow $23,000 and face just a 3.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Texas A&M achieves a 5.6% student burden with only $17,804 in borrowing, demonstrating that top programs can deliver both strong earnings and manageable debt loads.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $129,286 | 30 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | Good |
| #2 | $77,423 | 38 | $23,833 | Excellent | $19,000 | Good | |
| #3 | $66,372 | 362 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #4 | University Of HoustonPublic | $64,385 | 170 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #5 | $59,698 | 25 | $21,000 | Excellent | $15,191 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $53,030 | 166 | $21,500 | Good | $31,393 | High | |
| #7 | Tuskegee UniversityPrivate | $51,236 | 6 | $27,000 | Manageable | $53,000 | High |
| #8 | Barry UniversityPrivate | $36,134 | 13 | $26,997 | High | $14,569 | High |
| #9 | Virginia Union UniversityPrivate | $28,212 | 6 | $29,000 | High | $31,153 | High |
| #10 | Georgia State UniversityPublic | $16,682 | 21 | $20,903 | High | $14,837 | 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 →
