General Sales, Merchandising at Stevenson University

First-year earnings around $53,000 place this program squarely at the national median for sales and merchandising bachelor's degrees—a figure estimated from 26 comparable programs nationwide since Stevenson's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report. With estimated debt of roughly $25,000, graduates would face monthly loan payments of about $280 on a standard 10-year plan, consuming just 6% of their gross monthly income. That's a manageable burden by any reasonable standard.

The challenge with sales careers is that formal credentials matter less than performance and relationships. Many successful sales professionals enter the field without bachelor's degrees, which means graduates here compete not just against other four-year programs but against associates, certificates, and work experience. The $53,000 starting point isn't problematic—it's reasonable for entry-level—but advancement depends heavily on individual drive and the industries graduates target. Tech sales, pharmaceutical sales, and enterprise B2B roles can lead to six-figure incomes within years, while retail-oriented paths may plateau lower.

For families willing to invest $25,000 in debt, this represents a low-risk entry into a field where hustle matters more than pedigree. Just ensure your student understands they're buying access and foundational skills, not guaranteed advantage—the real differentiator will be what they do with it.