Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's specialized sales and marketing program sits right at the Michigan median for earnings, which sounds reasonable until you realize that median is just $33,121—barely above poverty wages. The small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) demands caution, but what we can see is concerning: earnings essentially flatline between year one and year four, while graduates carry $34,499 in debt, nearly 30% more than the state median for this major.

The comparison to other Michigan programs is particularly stark. Northwood graduates in this field earn nearly double ($64,100), and even Ferris State grads pull in $46,695. Yes, those are different institutional contexts, but the gap suggests either program quality differences or network effects that matter in sales-oriented careers. At 60th percentile statewide, Eastern Michigan performs slightly better than the state average, but that's a low bar when the in-state alternatives show such wide variation in outcomes.

For a parent, the question is simple: can your child service $34,499 in debt on $33,000 annual income? That 1.04 debt-to-earnings ratio is tighter than most programs, but it still means dedicating a significant portion of entry-level income to loan payments for years. Given the small sample and flat earnings trajectory, this program warrants serious comparison shopping within Michigan before committing.