General Sales, Merchandising at Kansas State University

With estimated first-year earnings around $53,000 against roughly $24,000 in debt, this Bachelor's in Sales and Merchandising appears to deliver a manageable financial outcome. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary—a workable position that suggests the monthly loan payments shouldn't overwhelm an entry-level budget in this field.

These figures come from peer programs nationally since Kansas State's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to report. That means we're looking at what similar sales and merchandising degrees typically produce, not what Kansas State alumni specifically earn. The upside: K-State's lower-than-average tuition (reflected in that $23,500 debt estimate versus the $24,649 national median) might actually position graduates slightly better than the typical program. The challenge: sales careers are notoriously variable—some graduates launch quickly into lucrative roles while others cycle through commission-based positions with unstable income.

The practical consideration here is whether your child has the personality for sales work, which often rewards assertiveness and resilience more than the credential itself. If they're genuinely drawn to this field, the financial framework looks sound. But if they're choosing sales as a default business major, you might want them to explore Kansas State's other options where their specific talents could generate more predictable returns.