Best institutions to study Specialized Sales
Compare 128 U.S. colleges offering Specialized Sales by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 36 states.
Specialized Sales programs report a median of $36,306 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 52.19 and the Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Specialized Sales programs
The Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations program equips students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in various sales and marketing roles. This program is ideal for individuals interested in exploring specialized areas such as fashion merchandising, auctioneering, and tourism marketing, among others. Students will learn to navigate the complexities of consumer behavior and market dynamics.
In this program, students develop core skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential topics such as sales and marketing strategies, customer service principles, and data collection methods, preparing graduates for a variety of roles in the business and marketing sectors.
Top 39 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwood University Midland, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,100 | 43 | 63% | $24,986 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,794 | 161 | 79% | $34,418 | $26,500 |
| 3 | Immaculata University Immaculata, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,289 | 4 | 71% | $26,941 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,137 | 84 | 80% | $33,867 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,695 | 17 | 47% | — | $26,750 |
| 6 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,823 | 6 | 62% | $24,653 | $22,000 |
| 7 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,414 | 26 | 80% | $35,682 | $23,115 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,712 | 59 | 86% | $25,823 | $19,500 |
| 9 | The New School New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $41,562 | 17 | 69% | $54,185 | — |
| 10 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,181 | 62 | 43% | $34,565 | $31,149 |
| 11 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,407 | 25 | 69% | $26,034 | $26,750 |
| 12 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,787 | 72 | 61% | — | $23,250 |
| 13 | Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,038 | 4 | 43% | $18,836 | $25,000 |
| 14 | Lasell University Newton, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,438 | 17 | 59% | $23,724 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Meredith College Raleigh, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,787 | 1 | 70% | $19,552 | $26,000 |
| 16 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,643 | 76 | 90% | — | $25,500 |
| 17 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park, NJ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,748 | 10 | 44% | $23,170 | $32,075 |
| 18 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,686 | 1 | 69% | — | $22,317 |
| 19 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,625 | 192 | 64% | — | $25,000 |
| 20 | Fisher College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,306 | 6 | 28% | $26,273 | $27,875 |
| 21 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,904 | 16 | 62% | — | $25,583 |
| 22 | LIM College New York, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,708 | 105 | 51% | $37,014 | $27,000 |
| 23 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,299 | 10 | 49% | — | $23,108 |
| 24 | Berkeley College - New York New York, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,740 | 24 | 44% | $29,326 | $37,500 |
| 25 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,422 | 15 | 54% | — | $24,625 |
| 26 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,121 | 10 | 46% | — | $34,499 |
| 27 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,040 | 82 | 55% | — | $24,156 |
| 28 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,444 | 15 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 29 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,701 | 8 | 68% | $26,556 | $26,345 |
| 30 | Dominican University River Forest, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,907 | 8 | 55% | $16,176 | $27,000 |
| 31 | Marymount University Arlington, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,825 | 5 | 54% | $25,803 | $27,000 |
| 32 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,203 | 19 | 59% | — | $27,000 |
| 33 | Mercyhurst University Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,078 | 11 | 60% | $25,987 | $26,950 |
| 34 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,765 | 19 | 58% | — | $26,000 |
| 35 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,276 | 81 | 21% | — | — |
| 36 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,168 | 12 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
| 37 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,168 | 2 | 49% | $29,446 | $27,000 |
| 38 | Johnson & Wales University - Online Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,168 | 27 | 0% | $21,981 | $27,000 |
| 39 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY Public · Associate degree | $23,778 | 1,099 | 81% | — | $12,000 |
Offered across 36 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1161, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Specialized Sales program can pursue careers in diverse fields, with a job outlook projected to grow by 6.7% and approximately 87,200 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is around $76,950, and a typical education requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Specialized Sales
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.19.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.19 (Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations) maps to 12 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2021 | Marketing Managers |
| 13-1022 | Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products |
| 13-1161 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialistsprimary |
| 27-1026 | Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers |
| 41-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers |
| 41-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers |
| 41-2022 | Parts Salespersons |
| 41-3031 | Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents |
| 41-3041 | Travel Agents |
| 41-4012 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products |
| 41-9012 | Models |
| 41-9099 | Sales and Related Workers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Specialized Sales programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
- Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
- Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
- Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
- Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
- Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.
Concentrations within Specialized Sales
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- AuctioneeringCIP 52.1901
A program that prepares individuals for professional careers as auctioneers and auction managers, and for meeting applicable state licensing requirements
- Fashion MerchandisingCIP 52.1902
A program that prepares individuals to promote product lines/brands, and organize promotional campaigns, at the wholesale level to attract retailer interest, wholesale purchasing, and supply contracts
- Fashion ModelingCIP 52.1903
A program that prepares individuals to present and display fashion, apparel, and accessories products in wholesale and retail settings, either on the person or via props and natural or artificial sett
- Apparel and Accessories Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1904
A program that prepares individuals to perform operations connected with the distribution and sale of apparel and accessories
- Tourism and Travel Services Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1905
A program that prepares individuals to provide direct retail services to hotel and motel clients and customers in a variety of settings
- Tourism Promotion OperationsCIP 52.1906
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and sales operations connected with the promotion of tourism in public and private sector settings
- Vehicle and Vehicle Parts and Accessories Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1907
A program that prepares individuals to perform operations connected with the distribution and sale of replacement parts and other end-use supplies in the automotive, marine, and aviation industries
- Business and Personal/Financial Services Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1908
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and operational tasks associated with the provision of personal and financial services
- Special Products Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1909
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and sales operations connected with the promotion of special products, including floristry, food, and home and office products
- Hospitality and Recreation Marketing OperationsCIP 52.1910
A program that prepares individuals to provide marketing services in the hospitality and leisure fields
- ReservedCIP 52.1980
Reserved for use by Statistics Canada
- Specialized Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing Operations, OtherCIP 52.1999
Any instructional program in sales, marketing, and distribution operations not listed above.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
The program offers specializations in areas such as Auctioneering, Fashion Merchandising, and Tourism Promotion Operations.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
Students will gain skills in critical thinking, writing, data analysis, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is expected to grow by 6.7%, with around 87,200 annual job openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Specialized Sales graduates earn?+
Specialized Sales graduates report median earnings of $36,306 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists occupation pays about $89,490 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Specialized Sales?+
Specialized Sales maps to CIP 52.19 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card