Retail Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operations of a wide variety of retail businesses, including department stores; independent and chain stores; fashion, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical establishments; and online retail businesses. Includes instruction in retail management, merchandise management, customer service management, marketing, organizational behavior, accounting, finance, business law, and personnel management.
- Schools offering
- 53
- Annual completions
- 186
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $60k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operations of a wide variety of retail businesses, including department stores; independent and chain stores; fashion, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical establishments; and online retail businesses. Includes instruction in retail management, merchandise management, customer service management, marketing, organizational behavior, accounting, finance, business law, and personnel management.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and operations managers | $103k | +4.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | $47k | -5.0% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Business teachers, postsecondary | $97k | +5.7% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Personal service managers, all other | $61k | +6.5% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$60k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$48k
Bachelor's
$66k
Top colleges for Retail Management
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 0 | 83 | 83 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | 48 | 0 | 48 |
| Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| St. John's University-New York | Queens, NY | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Mt San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain, CT | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Retail Management field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Retail Management worth it? Read verdict