General Sales at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Certificate · General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

With 87% of applicants admitted, Kent State University at Kent prioritizes broad access, serving 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

Program Analysis

At $57,169 per year, General Sales graduates from Kent State University at Kent significantly outpace the $34,853 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 46.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI General Sales programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in General Sales's career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #5 of 16 General Sales programs, Kent State University at Kent scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

General Sales offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $57,169/yr (64% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (499,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$598K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
11 of 11
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$12,846
Out-of-state: $22,316
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for General Sales graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products $100,070 +1.9% 54%
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270 +5.7% 51%
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers $84,130 0.0% 46%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
$100,070
+1.9% growth 54% AI-proof
Business teachers, postsecondary
$97,270
+5.7% growth 51% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
$84,130
0.0% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 11 career paths with full salary data →

About General Sales Careers

Your career in sales can take you in two main directions. You might become a first-line supervisor in a retail store, where your day involves managing schedules for your sales team, tracking inventory in the back room, and being the go-to person on the floor for tough customer issues. Alternatively, you could hit the road as a B2B sales representative, meeting with business clients to understand their needs, demonstrating how your products or services can help, and negotiating contracts.

Read the full General Sales career guide →

Compare & Explore

General Sales Overview

General Sales at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for General Sales at Kent State University at Kent?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study General Sales?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn General Sales through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to General Sales occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for General Sales workers?
With approximately 499,600 annual openings across mapped careers, General Sales offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →