General Sales, Merchandising at Lincoln University

At first glance, $26,760 in starting earnings against $31,000 in debt looks problematic—and nationally, it is. This program ranks in just the 5th percentile for earnings compared to similar bachelor's programs across the country, where the typical graduate earns $53,448. That's a stunning gap of over $26,000 annually. However, the Missouri context tells a different story: this is actually the median outcome for the handful of sales and merchandising programs in the state, landing at the 60th percentile among Missouri schools. The challenge isn't unique to Lincoln University—it's a statewide pattern suggesting weak market demand or program quality issues across Missouri.

The debt burden is concerning regardless of geography, sitting in the 10th percentile nationally (meaning 90% of programs saddle students with less debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.16, graduates face loan payments that will strain a sub-$27,000 salary. The important caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one or two outlier outcomes could skew these numbers significantly in either direction.

For parents considering this program, the question is stark: why pursue a bachelor's degree that delivers earnings barely above minimum wage, especially when taking on substantial debt? Unless your child has compelling personal reasons to attend Lincoln specifically, they should explore sales and merchandising programs in other states where graduate outcomes are dramatically better, or consider whether this career path requires a four-year degree at all.