Location: Davenport, IA•In-State Tuition: $35,598•Admission Rate: 73%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,806
Est. from national median (42 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in this field typically produces modest first-year earnings around $36,000, and Saint Ambrose's estimated numbers align with that national median. With estimated debt of $27,000, graduates from comparable programs face nearly three-quarters of their first-year salary in student loans—not catastrophic, but it means a meaningful chunk of those early paychecks will go toward loan payments. Marketing and sales roles can offer upward mobility, but the starting point matters when you're servicing this much debt.

What's harder to assess here is whether Saint Ambrose's specific program delivers advantages that justify choosing it over alternatives. The estimates come from peer programs nationally since this program's graduate numbers are too small for the DOE to report. That could mean it's a newer or more selective track, or simply that few students complete it. Either way, you're looking at typical outcomes for this major, not proven results from this particular school.

For anxious parents, this means doing extra homework. Connect with actual graduates or current students to understand job placement and employer connections—the things that can make or break modest starting salaries. If the program has strong regional employer relationships or internship pipelines, it could outperform these national estimates. Without that evidence, you're essentially betting on an average outcome while taking on near-average debt, which leaves little room for the program to underdeliver.

Where Saint Ambrose University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations bachelors's programs nationally

Saint Ambrose University (estimated ±10%)Other specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport$35,598$35,806*—$27,000*—
Northwood UniversityMidland$33,000$64,100*$65,717$27,000*0.42
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia$51,340$56,794*$71,451$26,500*0.47
Immaculata UniversityImmaculata$28,550$47,289*—$27,000*0.57
Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie$46,140$47,137*$68,549$25,000*0.53
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids$13,630$46,695*$52,921$26,750*0.57
National Median—$35,806*—$26,750*0.75
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations graduates

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Models

Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.

$89,990/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

$78,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Travel Agents

Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.

$48,450/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Parts Salespersons

Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

$34,730/yrJobs growth:No formal educational credential

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Ambrose University, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 42 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.