General Sales, Merchandising at Ferris State University

For a credential targeting entry-level sales positions, comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,000—though it's worth noting that Michigan programs in this field show considerably lower outcomes, with peer institutions reporting median earnings closer to $16,000. If Ferris graduates track closer to the Michigan pattern than the national one, the estimated $20,500 in debt becomes significantly harder to manage.

The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable if graduates actually achieve that $41,000 figure, but the wide gap between state and national benchmarks introduces real uncertainty. Sales positions often don't require formal credentials, which raises the question of whether the certificate provides enough of an edge to justify borrowing at all. The debt load represents roughly half a year's earnings at the national estimate, but could approach 15 months of earnings if outcomes align more closely with Michigan data.

Given the limited data and the substantial variance between state and national figures, this program carries meaningful risk. Parents should investigate Ferris's specific placement outcomes in sales roles and compare the credential's cost to entry-level sales positions available without formal training—many retail and B2B sales jobs hire based on experience and personality rather than certificates. If the family can avoid debt entirely, the program might serve as a structured entry point, but borrowing $20,500 for a field with such uncertain returns deserves serious scrutiny.