General Sales, Merchandising at University of Houston

University of Houston's sales and merchandising program starts graduates at $51,000—below both the Texas state median ($58,664) and the national average ($53,448)—but the story improves considerably over time. Four years out, earnings jump 26% to $64,385, nearly matching the national 75th percentile. This growth trajectory suggests the program's value lies more in long-term career development than immediate placement, though it still trails top Texas competitors like Baylor ($84,271) and Texas A&M ($66,372) by significant margins.

The debt picture is reasonable: $24,250 represents less than half of first-year earnings, and with the robust sample size of 100+ graduates, these numbers are reliable. However, ranking in the 40th percentile among Texas programs means three out of five comparable in-state options deliver better early outcomes. For families weighing UH against other Texas schools, the question becomes whether the strong earnings growth justifies the slower start—especially if higher-performing state schools remain accessible.

This program works best for students who value UH's location and can afford to be patient with salary progression. The 26% earnings bump suggests graduates develop valuable skills over time, but families should recognize they're not buying immediate earning power. If your child has admission offers from Texas A&M or similar programs, those deliver stronger financial returns from day one.