General Sales, Merchandising (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Washington State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,009

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$20,500

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

An undergraduate certificate in sales and merchandising carries estimated debt of $20,500 against first-year earnings around $41,000—figures drawn from peer programs nationally since Washington State University's graduate cohort is too small to report. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 sits at a manageable level, but the national earnings figure masks significant state-level variation. Tacoma Community College's reported outcomes show sales graduates in Washington earning $26,000, suggesting the $41,000 estimate may be optimistic for this market.

The credential itself raises questions about cost-efficiency. With comparable programs in Washington charging less (median debt of $15,400 statewide), you're potentially paying a premium for WSU's name on what amounts to a short-term certificate. Sales roles rarely require formal credentials beyond a bachelor's degree, and many employers prioritize demonstrated results over academic training. If your child already has industry connections or retail experience, they might reach similar earnings without the certificate at all.

Given the estimation uncertainty and lower state benchmarks, treat this as a high-risk supplement to existing skills rather than a standalone credential. If your child is considering this program, they should have a specific employer or promotion in mind that values WSU's certificate—otherwise, the debt load may exceed what this type of credential typically delivers in Washington's job market.

Where Washington State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all general sales, merchandising certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

General Sales, Merchandising certificate's programs at peer institutions in Washington (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Washington State UniversityPullman	$12,997	$41,009*	—	$20,500*	—
Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma	$4,920	$26,283*	—	$15,412*	0.59
National Median	—	$41,008*	—	$20,500*	0.50

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with general sales, merchandising graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

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:

Advertising Sales Agents

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

$61,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

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.

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

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.

Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

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 Washington State University, approximately 26% 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 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.