Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at Berkeley College-Woodland Park

This program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—at the 50th percentile nationally and 60th within New Jersey for a specialized sales and merchandising associate's degree. Graduates earn roughly $25,000 in their first year, which translates to about $12 per hour for full-time work. That's notably below what many retail management positions offer without a degree, raising questions about return on investment. The debt load of $18,853 creates a manageable ratio of 0.76 to first-year earnings, but "manageable" doesn't mean "worthwhile" when earnings barely budge over four years. With only 2% earnings growth between years one and four, graduates aren't seeing the career acceleration you'd hope an associate's degree would unlock.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few outliers, so treat them as directional rather than definitive. What's harder to dismiss: Berkeley College-Woodland Park serves 60% Pell-eligible students, many of whom are taking on debt for income levels that keep them near the poverty line for a single adult. Before committing, compare this closely to entry-level retail management training programs that major chains offer, which often come with no tuition cost and similar or better starting pay. If your child is set on sales and marketing, the four-year bachelor's version typically offers substantially better earnings potential.