Location: Greenville, NC•In-State Tuition: $7,361•Out-of-State Tuition: $23,638•Admission Rate: 90%•Avg SAT: 1143
Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,684
47th percentile
Median Debt
$18,750
24% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.36 ManageableSample: 24 graduates Limited data

Analysis

East Carolina's sales and merchandising program produces surprisingly low debt loads—just $18,750 compared to the national median of $24,649—giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36. First-year earnings of $52,684 land near the national median but rank in the 60th percentile among North Carolina programs, suggesting this is a competitive in-state option for students interested in sales careers.

The real advantage here is graduating with roughly $6,000 less debt than typical sales program graduates nationally while earning similar starting salaries. That translates to lower monthly payments and more financial flexibility early in your career. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, and there's only one other comparable program in North Carolina to benchmark against.

For North Carolina families looking at sales and merchandising programs, this represents a solid value play—competitive earnings with notably lighter debt burden. The 90% admission rate makes it accessible, though the limited sample means you should verify current graduate outcomes directly with the department before committing.

Where East Carolina University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all general sales, merchandising bachelors's programs nationally

East Carolina UniversityOther general sales, merchandising programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How East Carolina University graduates compare to all programs nationally

East Carolina University earns $53k — 47th percentile among general sales, merchandising bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

General Sales, Merchandising bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
East Carolina UniversityGreenville$7,361$52,684—$18,7500.36
Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City$8,300$93,151$81,347$24,2720.26
Baylor UniversityWaco$54,844$84,271$129,286$20,5000.24
Bellevue UniversityBellevue$8,886$75,543$72,918$24,8100.33
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw$5,786$72,092$77,423$20,7500.29
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$66,372—$22,0000.33
National Median—$53,448—$24,6490.46

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with general sales, merchandising graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Advertising Sales Agents

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

$61,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Travel Agents

Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.

$48,450/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Parts Salespersons

Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

$34,730/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At East Carolina University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.