Associate merchandise buyer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate merchandise buyer. Associate merchandise buyers usually study business, specialized sales and merchandising, or marketing. 71% of associate merchandise buyers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 120 real associate merchandise buyer resumes to see exactly what associate merchandise buyer education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate merchandise buyers are the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

There are also many online associate merchandise buyer courses to help get the education required to be an associate merchandise buyer.

What education do you need to become an associate merchandise buyer?

What degree do you need to be an associate merchandise buyer?

The most common degree for associate merchandise buyers is bachelor's degree, with 71% of associate merchandise buyers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 6%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Associate, 18%

Master's, 6%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an associate merchandise buyer?

You should major in business to become an associate merchandise buyer. 23% of associate merchandise buyers major in business. Other common majors for an associate merchandise buyer include specialized sales and merchandising and marketing.

Business, 23%

Specialized Sales And Merchandising, 21%

Marketing, 10%

Fine Arts, 4%

Other Majors, 42%

Most common colleges for associate merchandise buyers

Associate merchandise buyers often get their degrees at Fashion Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, and University of Georgia. Here are the most common colleges for associate merchandise buyers in the US based on their resumes.

Associate merchandise buyer common college	Percentages
Fashion Institute of Technology	12.50%
Ohio State University	9.38%
University of Georgia	9.38%
University of Houston	6.25%
Appalachian State University	6.25%

Show more common associate merchandise buyer colleges

Best majors for associate merchandise buyers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	23.3%
2	Specialized Sales And Merchandising	20.5%
3	Marketing	9.6%
4	Fine Arts	4.1%
5	Graphic Design	4.1%

Show more common associate merchandise buyer majors

Best colleges for associate merchandise buyers

The best colleges for associate merchandise buyers are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Cornell University.

An associate merchandise buyer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate merchandise buyers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate merchandise buyers.

1. University of Akron

Akron, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,463

Enrollment

13,676

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

5. Ball State University

Muncie, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,896

Enrollment

15,529

6. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Enrollment

3,142

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Enrollment

7,938

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

20 best online courses for associate merchandise buyers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for associate merchandise buyers

The most affordable schools for associate merchandise buyers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and fashion institute of technology.

If the best universities for associate merchandise buyers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate merchandise buyers.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate merchandise buyers

The hardest universities for associate merchandise buyers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Cornell University.

Some great schools for associate merchandise buyers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate merchandise buyers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate merchandise buyers

The easiest schools for associate merchandise buyers to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate merchandise buyer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate merchandise buyers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

5. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

10. Ursuline College

Pepper Pike, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,102

Average associate merchandise buyer salary by education level

Associate merchandise buyers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $58,091 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, associate merchandise buyers earn a median annual income of $57,912 compared to $51,159 for associate merchandise buyers with an Associate degree.

Associate merchandise buyer education level	Associate merchandise buyer salary
Master's Degree	$58,091
High School Diploma or Less	$51,069
Bachelor's Degree	$57,912
Some College/ Associate Degree	$51,159

Associate merchandise buyer education FAQs

What is the best college for Associate Merchandise Buyers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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