by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 13 U.S. colleges awarded 239 degrees and certificates in Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $52,387 one year after completing, rising to $74,379 after four years.
A degree in Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations explores General Merchandising, Sales, And Related Marketing Operations, Other. Any Instructional Program In Merchandising, Sales, And Related Marketing Operations Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations is a widely-pursued major, with 239 degrees awarded annually. 13 colleges award other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 100.
By level, the 239 awards include 7 associate degrees, 69 bachelor’s degrees and 136 master’s degrees.
Women earned 54% of other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations degrees and certificates in the latest year (130 of 239). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (160) and Black or African American (43).
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations schools within 1 state. In all, 13 colleges offer other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations credential is the master’s degree: 136 of the 239 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Negotiation, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Sales and Marketing, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 69 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 136 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations, at 37.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 37.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.0% |
| Some college courses | 9.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
| Master’s degree | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, with an average median salary of $53,437; the strongest outlook belongs to Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products, at 6.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Exporter, Containers Sales Representative, Shoe Leather Sales Representative and Route Sales Representative.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations, at 1,332,640.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 1,332,640 | 6.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 830,802 | 5.3% |
| Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | 570,973 | 5.6% |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | 465,393 | 2.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | 269,153 | 4.0% |
Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations graduates earn a median $52,387 one year after completing their program, $74,379 after four years and $66,918 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,387 |
| 4 years | $74,379 |
| 5 years | $66,918 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to other general merchandising, sales, and related marketing operations is Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products, with a median salary of $111,183.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | $111,183 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $53,224 |
| Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | $45,048 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $29,657 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $28,072 |
Other General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations has 4 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 6,563 degrees a year; the largest are Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General (3,613), Selling Skills and Sales Operations (1,916) and Retailing and Retail Operations (984). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General | 3,613 |
| Selling Skills and Sales Operations | 1,916 |
| Retailing and Retail Operations | 984 |
| Merchandising and Buying Operations | 50 |
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