General Sales, Merchandising at Barry University

A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is typically considered manageable, and that's where peer programs in general sales and merchandising place Barry's bachelor's degree—around $25,000 in estimated debt against roughly $53,000 in first-year earnings. With only two Florida schools offering this specific credential and no reported outcomes data from either, these national benchmarks from similar programs become your best guide. The estimated figures align almost exactly with national medians, suggesting neither a premium nor a discount compared to the broader market for this degree.

The practical question is whether a traditional four-year sales degree makes financial sense when many sales careers don't require one. Similar programs nationally produce starting salaries in the low-to-mid $50,000s, which is respectable but not exceptional given the time and cost investment. Barry serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (46%), and for families watching every dollar, it's worth considering that sales positions often value demonstrated results and personality fit as much as formal credentials. The estimated debt load isn't crushing, but neither is it negligible for a field where alternative pathways exist.

Given the lack of program-specific data, request actual placement rates and starting salary information directly from Barry's career services office before committing. The estimated numbers suggest a workable investment, but you're essentially betting on how Barry's specific program performs relative to national peers—a bet that's harder to make confidently without concrete outcomes to review.