by our College Data Analytics TeamRetail Management was the 623rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,008 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 65 over the prior year, a growth of 6.4%.
This year's Best Retail Management Schools ranking compares 12 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of retail management programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
When studying Retail Management, you’ll learn that talking to others to convey information effectively will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most retail management degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic retail management program qualifications, to serve in some retail management careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Retail Management degree levels vary. Retail Management programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest retail management degree you can get. Different retail management degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to retail management, with approximately 24.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for retail management workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 22.0% |
| High School Diploma | 20.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 15.2% |
| Some College Courses | 10.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.7% |
Most workers in retail management have at least a associate degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in retail management have received.
The education level required is different depending on the retail management career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your retail management degree? Retail Management careers are expected to grow 7.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to retail management.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Retail Sales Supervisors | 1,590,100 | 3.8% |
| Business Professors | 123,000 | 18.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for retail management graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for retail management graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers retail management grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Business Professors | $103,330 |
| Retail Sales Supervisors | $45,080 |
With over 157 different retail management degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased retail management school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Retail Management that might interest you.
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BS in Fashion Merchandising Management
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Retail Management is one of 15 different types of Business Administration & Management programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Business Administration and Management | 353,401 |
| Organizational Leadership | 15,171 |
| Interior Design Management | 14,326 |
| Supply Chain Management | 10,986 |
| Operations Management | 7,153 |
