General Sales, Merchandising at SUNY Old Westbury

A $19,125 debt load for this degree lands you in a relatively favorable position—at the 89th percentile nationally, meaning most similar programs leave graduates with considerably more debt. Combined with estimated first-year earnings around $53,400 based on comparable sales and merchandising programs nationwide, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, which is manageable by most standards. The year-one earnings estimate aligns almost perfectly with the national median for this field, though it's worth noting this figure comes from peer programs rather than SUNY Old Westbury's actual graduate outcomes.

The four-year earnings data of $52,464—which does reflect this school's graduates—reveals something important: sales careers don't show the dramatic income growth you might see in technical fields. The modest difference between estimated year-one and actual year-four earnings suggests either a slow climb or varied career paths among graduates. What matters here is whether your child can build momentum in sales through networking and performance, factors that often matter more than the credential itself. The fact that 47% of students receive Pell grants indicates this program serves economically diverse students who need education to translate directly into employment.

The practical verdict: you're getting into the workforce with below-average debt for this field and earnings that hold steady with national norms. If your child has the interpersonal skills and drive that sales careers reward, this represents reasonable financial positioning—just understand that the earnings ceiling requires hustle beyond the degree.