Are you on the hunt for a top sales program? Marketing and sales careers are always in high demand, and corporations are always looking to add talented individuals to their teams. The demand for sales professionals is not forecasted to change much between now and 2031, but we know that turnover results in open positions that must be filled each year. On average, about 1.9 million openings each year in sales, on average, are projected to come from replacement needs. The sales industry has more job opportunities than any other industry. There are currently 13.7 million sales jobs in the United States, and nearly 13% of all the jobs in the U.S. are sales jobs, equating to about (1 in 8) people in full-time sales positions.
There is a growing demand for sales professionals with analytical skills to uncover clients’ needs and determine whether they can provide the right solution to fulfill their needs. This is sales 101, but it’s not always that simple. Successful sales professionals have had years of experience in sharpening their selling skills, with many professionals starting from attending a top sales school. There are many ways to get into sales, but attending an accredited college or university is the clearest. Sales representatives usually study business, marketing, or communication. 54% of sales representatives hold a bachelor’s degree, and 20% hold a high school diploma. While you do not have to go to college to have a successful career in sales, it does give you a leg up over other candidates in a similar career situation who may not have a bachelor’s degree. We discuss the top sales programs at universities below to make your life easier.
1. New York University
New York University is one of the top private schools in the United States, although it’s not a member of the Ivy League. NYU ranks #25 out of all National Universities in the U.S. New York University’s primary campus is located in lively Greenwich Village inside Manhattan. NYU has active Greek life with over 30 sorority and fraternity chapters and more than 300 student organizations on campus. The Stern School of Business offers undergraduate degrees for marketing and sales professionals that want to excel post-graduation. The median salary for Stern School of Business graduates is $81,440 a year, making it one of the most coveted destinations for students looking for a career in sales.
2. The University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private university in Philadelphia, one of the eight known private universities that make up the Ivy League. The University is ranked #7 out of National Universities in the United States and boasts one of the best undergraduate sales and marketing programs. Penn offers housing in more than 10 college houses, but many students live in the numerous off-campus apartments and houses. Around 20% of the student body is involved in Greek life, encompassing nearly 50 fraternities and sororities. The median base salary for graduates in marketing and sales from the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business is $69,836 a year. Wharton is more than just a business school. The school offers other minors and majors to strengthen your skills in sales, making it one of the best universities in the U.S. to attend for sales.
3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor is ranked #25 out of National Universities in the U.S. and has one of the best public college sales programs in the U.S for undergraduate students. The university boasts of Ann Arbor – only 45 minutes from Detroit – as one of the best college towns in the U.S. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but are not required to live on campus. The median base salary for graduates in marketing and sales from Michigan’s Ross Business School is $68,000 a year, with a median signing bonus of $5,000. Attending the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is one of the best ways to start your career in sales.
4. Indiana University – Bloomington
Indiana University (IU) – Bloomington is a public university in Bloomington, Indiana, and ranks #72 out of all National Universities in the United States. While IU is not ranked as high as some of the other schools on the list, the IU Kelley School of Business is one of the top public business programs in the nation. More than 750 student organizations are on campus, and more than 8,200 students go Greek in the school’s large community of fraternities and sororities. First-year students must live on campus for at least two semesters, though some exceptions exist. The median base salary for marketing and sales graduates from Kelley is $60,000 a year, with an average signing bonus of $5,000. IU Kelley School of Business is one of the best public marketing and sales universities today, with many great career opportunities for graduates in sales.
5. The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a public university with an urban campus in the middle of Austin, TX. The university ranks #38 out of all National Universities in the U.S. The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest schools in the nation, with roughly 52,000 students, and also offers the McCombs School of Business, one of the top undergraduate business schools in the country. Students can participate in more than 1,000 clubs and organizations or in the sizable UT Greek system. The university has several student media outlets, and its sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference. UT is also one of the best universities in the country for study abroad opportunities offering destinations to Spain, Italy, the UK, France, and China. The median base salary for graduates in sales and marketing from McCombs is $58,707 a year, making it another of the top public sales and marketing college destinations in the United States.
The five universities above are just a small portion of the schools in the country that offer top-notch sales programs. Earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing and/or sales provides many advantages, including career readiness, professional growth, and salary growth. You may have success in your career without a bachelor’s degree, but earning a degree can be a significant first step in your career. On an annual basis, median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders are $36,000 or 84 percent higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma. Most importantly, anyone can get into sales. You only need the desire to succeed and the drive to sharpen your skills.
We hope that wherever you end up in your search for educational opportunities, you’ll remember we are always here when you need to find the right job for your new career in sales. Our team specializes in finding sales professionals with great careers; we’d love to do the same for you!
