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General Sales at Michigan Career and Technical Institute

Plainwell, MI · Public · Certificate · General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

a smaller institution with 118 students in Plainwell, MI.

Program Analysis

At $15,674 per year, General Sales graduates from Michigan Career and Technical Institute earn below the $34,853 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 19.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for General Sales graduates.

At #14 out of 16 programs, Michigan Career and Technical Institute's financial outcomes for General Sales trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to General Sales, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $15,674/yr (-55% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (499,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$164K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
19.8x
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)
$8,300
Out-of-state: $12,048
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$15,048
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

View all 16 schools offering General Sales →

General Sales at Other Schools

University of Missouri-Columbia ($64,382) Weber State University ($60,215) Umpqua Community College ($58,591) Kent State University at Kent ($57,169) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($55,734) Minnesota State Community and Technical College ($39,563) Harrisburg Area Community College ($38,826) Midlands Technical College ($28,150)

Other Majors at Michigan Career and Technical Institute

Woodworking ($26,594) Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection ($23,493) Culinary Arts and Related Services ($15,195) Graphic Communications ($14,862)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare General Sales degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for General Sales at Michigan Career and Technical Institute?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for General Sales. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
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.
Is Michigan Career and Technical Institute a good choice for General Sales despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Michigan Career and Technical Institute may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for General Sales graduates?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to General Sales career paths, including Manager, Retail Store. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for General Sales graduates?
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 →