Retail Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring leaders in the dynamic retail sector, this program equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to oversee diverse retail environments—from brick-and-mortar stores and specialty boutiques to national chains and digital marketplaces. Graduates emerge with a comprehensive understanding of retail ecosystems, ready to drive performance, optimize customer experiences, and lead teams in fast-paced, competitive markets.
- Retail Management: Focuses on the planning, coordination, and oversight of day-to-day retail operations, including store layout, workflow efficiency, and performance monitoring across multiple channels.
- Merchandise Management: Covers inventory planning, product assortment strategies, pricing models, and supply chain coordination to maximize sales and minimize overstock or stockouts.
- Customer Service Management: Explores techniques for building loyalty, resolving complaints, training service teams, and leveraging feedback to enhance the overall shopping experience.
- Marketing in Retail Contexts: Addresses promotional strategies, brand positioning, digital advertising, in-store campaigns, and customer segmentation tailored to retail environments.
- Organizational Behavior: Investigates team dynamics, leadership styles, motivation, and conflict resolution within retail workforces to improve productivity and workplace culture.
- Accounting and Finance for Retail: Provides foundational knowledge in financial reporting, budgeting, cost analysis, and profit margin tracking specific to retail revenue models.
- Business Law and Compliance: Examines legal frameworks governing retail operations, including contracts, consumer protection laws, employment regulations, and e-commerce compliance.
- Personnel Management: Focuses on recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and retention strategies for retail staff across seasonal and full-time roles.
Retail Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Retail Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Retail Management degrees, including General and Operations Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Personal Service Managers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 4,789,850 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers 11-1021 | $102,950 | $47,420 - $239,200 | 3,584,420 | $49.50 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other 11-9179 | $61,340 | $36,880 - $111,130 | 10,490 | $29.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers 41-1011 | $47,320 | $31,120 - $76,560 | 1,113,160 | $22.75 |
Retail Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $54,993 in Arkansas to $118,240 in District of Columbia—a 115% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 4,789,850 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Retail Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 57 institutions offering Retail Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Retail Management is found at Cerritos College (590 graduates), Sinclair Community College (139 graduates), Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (69 graduates), University of Arizona (68 graduates), and LIM College (LIM) (59 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,434 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerritos College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
590 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
139 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
69 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| LIM College (LIM) |
Master's
|
59 | New York, New York | Private | limcollege.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
57 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) |
Other Award
|
56 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | mybrcc.edu |
| Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) |
Other Award
|
49 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wcccd.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Other Award
|
33 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (OHC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Other Award
|
21 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Shasta College |
Other Award
|
16 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| Lemoore College |
Other Award
|
15 | Lemoore, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Master's
|
14 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Other Award
|
7 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| Western New England University (WNE) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | wne.edu |
| Butte College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Other Award
|
5 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Other Award
|
5 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Mohave Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Kingman, Arizona | Public | mohave.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Coalinga College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Coalinga, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Delgado Community College |
Other Award
|
3 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Lower Columbia College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Longview, Washington | Public | lowercolumbia.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Other Award
|
2 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
2 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) |
Other Award
|
2 | La Plata, Maryland | Public | csmd.edu |
| Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) |
Master's
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | ccad.edu |
| University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) |
Associate's
|
2 | Lima, Ohio | Private | unoh.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Other Award
|
2 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Highline College |
Other Award
|
2 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
| Norco College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Solano Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Fairfield, California | Public | welcome.solano.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Coon Rapids, Minnesota | Public | anokaramsey.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Grants, New Mexico | Public | grants.nmsu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
1 | Mercedita, Puerto Rico | Private | ponce.inter.edu |
| Las Positas College (LPC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Livermore, California | Public | laspositascollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Retail Management programs
How much can I earn with a Retail Management degree?
Salaries for Retail Management graduates vary by role and location. General and Operations Managers earn a median of $102,950 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $118,240 compared to $54,993 in Arkansas. Approximately 4,789,850 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Retail Management programs?
Currently 57 accredited institutions offer Retail Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Cerritos College (590 graduates), Sinclair Community College (139 graduates), and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (69 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Retail Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 189 in 2010 to 1,434 in 2023-24. This represents a 659% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Retail Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as General and Operations Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Personal Service Managers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 4,789,850 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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