by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 74 degrees and certificates in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,124 one year after completing, rising to $59,835 after four years.
A degree in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations covers Apparel And Accessories Marketing Operations. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Operations Connected With The Distribution And Sale Of Apparel And Accessories. Includes Instruction In Wholesaling And Retailing, Apparel Technologies, Distribution, Customer Sales And Service Skills, And Principles Of Consumer Research And Sales Forecasting.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, apparel and accessories marketing operations is a widely-pursued major, with 74 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award apparel and accessories marketing operations degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 31.
By level, the 74 awards include 19 associate degrees, 6 bachelor’s degrees and 49 master’s degrees.
Women earned 76% of apparel and accessories marketing operations degrees and certificates in the latest year (56 of 74). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (26) and Hispanic or Latino (13), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks apparel and accessories marketing operations schools within 1 state. In all, 8 colleges offer apparel and accessories marketing operations programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common apparel and accessories marketing operations credential is the master’s degree: 49 of the 74 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to apparel and accessories marketing operations call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Sales and Marketing, Customer and Personal Service and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an apparel and accessories marketing operations degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 19 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 49 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to apparel and accessories marketing operations, at 40.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 28.1% |
| Some college courses | 9.9% |
| Master’s degree | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations, with an average median salary of $87,634; the strongest outlook belongs to Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, at 10.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Exporter, Sales Specialist, Hotel and Restaurant Supply Sales Representative and Home Furnishings Sales Representative.
The occupation related to apparel and accessories marketing operations with the most projected jobs is Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products, at 1,332,640.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 1,332,640 | 6.0% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | 465,393 | 2.6% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations graduates earn a median $38,124 one year after completing their program, $59,835 after four years and $51,544 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,124 |
| 4 years | $59,835 |
| 5 years | $51,544 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to apparel and accessories marketing operations, with a median salary of $124,518.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | $111,183 |
| Search Marketing Strategists | $85,177 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $29,657 |
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations has 9 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 3,282 degrees a year; the largest are Fashion Merchandising (2,570), Special Products Marketing Operations (207) and Specialized Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing Operations, Other (195). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
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