Specialized Sales at Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,203/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (499,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #28 of 42 Specialized Sales programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Specialized Sales graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $542K $537K $498K
Earnings Multiple 9.6x 9.5x 8.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$56,760
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,164
-13% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,125
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,960
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,203 place Central Michigan University below the $36,662 national median for Specialized Sales — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 9.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 43% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,125 debt-to-$29,203 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #28 out of 42 programs, Central Michigan University's financial outcomes for Specialized Sales trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,203 to $50,960 over five years (75% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,916 students in Mount Pleasant, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Michigan University →

Top Career Paths

Marketing managers $161,030/yr
Models $89,990/yr
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers $84,130/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Specialized Sales at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Michigan University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central Michigan University's Specialized Sales program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Specialized Sales. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Specialized Sales to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Specialized Sales careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Specialized Sales earnings lower at Central Michigan University?
Lower starting pay at Central Michigan University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →