General Sales, Merchandising at Georgia State University

Something appears deeply wrong with Georgia State's General Sales program. Recent graduates earned just $16,682 one year out—nearly $28,000 below Georgia's median for this degree and $37,000 below the national benchmark. Even accounting for the small sample size (under 30 graduates), this outcome places the program in the 10th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally. For context, Kennesaw State's comparable program produces graduates earning $72,000, more than four times as much.

The $26,000 debt burden means graduates owe 1.56 times their first-year earnings, creating a financial strain that's hard to justify. While that debt level sits near the national average for this field, it becomes problematic when paired with earnings this low. Either this data captures graduates in unusual circumstances (part-time work, graduate school, gap year employment), or the program isn't connecting students with the sales and merchandising careers it's designed for.

Given Georgia State's strong reputation and 50% Pell Grant population, this outcome is particularly puzzling. If your student is considering sales and merchandising at Georgia State, dig deeper: request updated placement data, ask about typical first-year roles, and understand what might explain these numbers. Until that picture becomes clearer, the data suggests looking elsewhere—or choosing a different major at Georgia State where outcomes align better with the investment.