by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Retailing and Retail Operations involves the study of Retailing And Retail Operations. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Operations Associated With Retail Sales In A Variety Of Settings. Includes Instruction In Over-The-Counter And Other Direct Sales Operations In Business Settings, Basic Bookkeeping Principles, Customer Service, Team/staff Leadership And Supervision, Floor Management, And Applicable Technical Skills. Continue reading for the key facts every retailing and retail operations major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering retailing and retail operations programs.
In the U.S., retailing and retail operations draws strong interest, with 1,000 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Retailing and Retail Operations Schools ranking analyzes these 34 schools to determine the best overall colleges for retailing and retail operations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of retailing and retail operations programs later in this article.
Coursework for Retailing and Retail Operations build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations retailing and retail operations graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a retailing and retail operations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a retailing and retail operations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several retailing and retail operations degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 66 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 111 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 493 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 313 |
People currently working in careers related to retailing and retail operations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 57.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 24.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in retailing and retail operations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in retailing and retail operations can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to retailing and retail operations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to retailing and retail operations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 830,802 | 5.3% |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | 730,602 | 2.6% |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | 498,256 | 3.6% |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 202,305 | 1.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of retailing and retail operations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,294 |
| 4 years | $56,564 |
| 5 years | $66,475 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for retailing and retail operations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers retailing and retail operations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $61,441 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $60,515 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $53,224 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $40,454 |
With 34 different retailing and retail operations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased retailing and retail operations school rankings to help you.
Those considering retailing and retail operations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General | 3,325 |
| Selling Skills and Sales Operations | 1,566 |
| General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other | 223 |
| Merchandising and Buying Operations | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
