Retail management involves running and managing retail stores on a daily basis which also requires catering to the needs of the customers. It also ensures that retail businesses run smoothly and make a healthy profit. The basic responsibilities of a retail management professional is to make sure that customers find what they require and are happy with the service.
This article lists 19 of the cheapest online degrees in retail management with degree options in Business Management and Fashion Merchandising programs which offer coursework in retail management.
Fashion Merchandising plans and presents clothing items and other accessories with regard to ongoing trends in the market for the right audience to buy. It also takes into account factors such as fashion in general, marketing and also retail making it a similar degree option to retail management.
Why is retail management important?
The process of retail management ensures that customers find what they require and fulfil their buying needs in a store. In addition, retail management also ensures that things run efficiently by maintaining stock records, organizing products into its respective categories and maintaining a clean environment for shoppers to enjoy.
Difference between Retail Management and Supply Chain Management
| Parameters Of Comparison | Retail Management | Supply Chain Management |
| DEFINITION | Retail management is the process that involves overseeing the product records and availability, training staff to be able to fulfil tasks in a store, increasing sales, etc. | Supply chain management is a process of management on the flow of goods, services and all other processes that turn raw materials into finished products. |
| OBJECTIVE | The objectives are to ensure customer satisfaction, proper product presentation, acquiring the right products and ensuring product safety and security. | The objectives include planning and efficient execution of activities to ensure quality of finished product, optimization of logistics, enhancing customer satisfaction and maintaining coordination to name a few. |
How do I get a management job in retail?
The career opportunities in retail management are quite huge. An individual with an associate’s degree in retail management can land an entry-level job in retail and can advance in their profession with the help of a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Have a look at some the options and the time taken to complete various degrees below:
| Degree | Credits (may vary according to college) | Duration of program | Admission Requirements (vary by the college) |
| Associate’s | 60 credit hours | 2 years | GED/Meet GPA Requirements |
| Bachelor’s | 120 credit hours | 4 years | Official High School Transcripts |
| Master’s | 30-60 credit hours | 1-2 years | Bachelor’s Degree in a related field |
6 Cheapest Online Associate’s Degree in Retail Management
1. Coastline College
Program: Retail Management – Associate of Arts Degree
Tuition: $46/credit hour (resident); $361 per/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: Coastline College is accredited by the ACCJC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 73% of total students receiving financial aid.
An associate’s degree in retail management will help students to develop basic and yet crucial skills and knowledge base on the fast-paced retail industry.
2. Scottsdale Community College
Program: Retail Management – AAS
Tuition: $85/credit hour (resident); $326/credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: Scottsdale Community College is accredited by the HLC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 50% of students receiving financial aid.
The Retail Management degree develops necessary skills and knowledge in students to be able to land a career in retailing and other industries. The coursework includes essentials on business, management, and communication.
3. Rio Salado College
Program: Retail Management – AAS
Tuition: $85/credit hour (resident); $250/credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation and Ranking: Rio Salado College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Financial Aid: Available, with 71% of students receiving financial aid.
An associate’s degree in retail management will help prepare individuals to understand the dynamics of retail management. The program will further help graduates entering mid-level management positions in retail management and other related fields.
4. Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Program: Business Management – AAS (with course specialization in Retail Management)
Accreditation: GPTC is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 96% of students receiving financial aid.
The learning opportunities provided by the business management program includes learning and developing management competency. The program also focuses on building decision-making, communication and other soft skills which are crucial prerequisites in the retail management industry.
5. Nashville State Community College
Program: Business A.A.S. Marketing and Retailing Concentration
Tuition: $171/credit hour (resident); $705/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: NSCC is accredited by the SACSCOC. The program is accredited by the ACBSP.
Financial Aid: Available, with 95% of students receiving financial aid.
NSCC’s business program is focused on providing individuals with practical learning opportunities that will help them to succeed in the field of both marketing and retail. The program will help students to adapt to technological changes while also developing ethics in business practices.
6. Cerritos College
Program: Business Administration: Retail Management – A.A.
Tuition: $366/credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Cerritos College is accredited by the ACCJC; Ranked #76 in Best Community Colleges in America.
Financial Aid: Available with 89% of students receiving financial aid.
This program offers students with a wide range of courses with focus on business and retail management. It will help build within the individual – basic management skills, the dynamics and an understanding of the competitive niche.
6 Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Management
1. American Public University System
Program: Retail Management – Bachelor of Arts
Tuition: $285/credit hour
Accreditation: The APUS is accredited by the HLC. This program is accredited by the ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs).
Financial Aid: Available, with 84% of students receiving financial aid.
The APU’s retail management program helps students to build their skills and knowledge in retail industry, operations, merchandising, innovation and ethics. These skills will further help them make progress in their retail management careers.
2. Southern New Hampshire University
Program: Fashion Merchandising and Management – BS (coursework focus on Retail Management)
Tuition: $320/credit hour
Accreditation: SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs;
Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving financial aid.
A bachelor’s degree in this program will help individuals to land a career across a variety of professions that include – assistant retail fashion buyers, merchandising managers, corporate retail merchandisers, retail planners, and more.
3. Central Washington University
Program: Retail Technology Management – BS
Tuition: $432/credit hour (resident); $1568/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: Central Washington University is accredited by the NWCCU.
Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving financial aid.
Students pursuing a degree in retail management will benefit from this program. The bachelor’s degree in retail technology management provides insight on major areas of retail business basics, marketing, sales branding, e-commerce and more.
4. University of Houston
Program: Retailing and Consumer Science – B.S.
Tuition: $420/credit hour (resident); $928/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: The University of Houston is accredited by the SACSCOC. The Retailing and Consumer Science program is accredited by the AAFCS.
Financial Aid: Available, with 85% of students receiving financial aid.
The program is designed to help graduates acquire knowledge on consumer behaviour and merchandising processes which can be applied across multiple fields in the retailing industry.
5. University of Arizona
Program: Retailing and Consumer Science – Bachelor of Science
Tuition: $500/credit hour
Accreditation: The university has been accredited by the HLC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 95% of students receiving financial aid.
Graduates taking up this program will have the opportunity to learn about the business of retailing along with the science of consumer behavior. A bachelor’s degree in this program will help individuals to acquire a comprehensive knowledge on management, communication, operations and other necessary skills.
6. Academy of Art University
Program: Fashion Merchandising – Bachelor of Fine Arts (coursework focus on Retail Management)
Tuition: $1,072 per unit (domestic students); $1,156 per unit (international students)
Accreditation: TheAcademy of Art University is accredited by the WSCUC. The Fashion Merchandising program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Financial Aid: Available, with 88% of students receiving financial aid.
The bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising helps build the foundation in merchandising and retail management. Students will acquire skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in retail operations on completing the degree.
6 Cheapest Online Master’s Degree in Retail Management
1. Oklahoma State University
Program: Design, Housing and Merchandising (option in Retail Merchandising Leadership) – MS
Tuition: $233.80/credit hour (resident); $364/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: OSU is accredited by the HLC. The Design, Housing and Merchandising program is accredited by the TAPAC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 93% of students receiving financial aid.
This 36-hour online program provides flexibility of pace which allows students to maintain their professional and personal lives. The coursework includes in-depth learning on consumer behaviour, retail merchandising, and other required skills that can help individuals advance in their careers.
2. Framingham State University
Program: Master of Science Concentration in Merchandising (coursework focus on Retail Management
Tuition: $280 per course (in-state); $1,175 per course (out-of-state)
Accreditation: The FSU is accredited by the NECHE.
Financial Aid: Available, with 89% of students receiving financial aid.
The program coursework offers specialization for fashion designers, merchandisers, retail managers and more. The program’s focus is to enhance the student’s practical and theoretical skills required in the retail industry.
3. University of Houston
Program: Global Retailing – M.S.
Tuition: $641.65/credit hour (resident); $1,149.65/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: The University of Houston is accredited by the SACSCOC. The Global Retailing program has been accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Financial Aid: Available, with 85% of students receiving financial aid.
The master’s degree in global retailing helps individuals to prepare and advance their careers in the retail business. Individuals get to experience and learn from cross-cultural trends in retail management which include – international product sourcing, international trade regulations and more.
4. University of Kentucky
Program: Retailing & Tourism Management – MS
Tuition: $762/credit hour (resident); $1,890.50/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: The University of Kentucky is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Financial Aid: Available, with 94% of students receiving financial aid.
This online program is designed to meet the needs to working professionals with the flexibility of schedule. Furthermore, the program is equipped to provide individuals with experiential learning to help them develop expertise in and across sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and retail management to name a few.
5. University of Cincinnati
Program: Master of Science in Marketing (coursework focus on Retailing Strategy)
Tuition: $1,000/credit hour (resident); $1,015/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation and Ranking: University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This program is accredited by the AACSB; Ranked #2 in Top Public Universities in Ohio.
Financial Aid: Available, with 85% of students receiving financial aid.
The program is equipped to provide students with an innovative and broad comprehension on the marketing and retailing sector with up-to-date marketing theories and practices.
6. Drexel University
Program: MS in Retail and Merchandising Online
Tuition: $1,118/credit hour
Accreditation and Ranking: Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Ranked #8 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Pennsylvania.
Financial Aid: Available, with 100 % of students receiving financial aid.
The master’s degree in retail and merchandising online provides students with a broad overview on the topics of retail and merchandising industry. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, research and problem solving.
Is retail management a good career?
There are multiple career opportunities that individuals can grab hold of in the retail management industry. The median annual wage recorded for professionals like Sales Managers in retail management was placed at a six-figure income of $127,490 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This makes a career in retail management worth pursuing. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail management professions such as sales managers in particular are projected to grow 5 percent from the year 2021 till 2031.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
What kind of jobs is in retail management?
There are multiple career options for graduates that have acquired a degree in Retail Management. Have a look at some of the top paying jobs for graduates with a retail management degree:
| OCCUPATION | MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY |
| Regional Manager | $147,000 |
| Product Manager | $95,966 |
| Regional Manager | $75,565 |
| Distribution Manager | $70,701 |
| Merchandise Manager | $64,437 |
| Retail Franchise Owner | $64,000 |
Is retail management a good career choice?
If you believe you have the skills to communicate with other people and ability to excel in management, then a retail management would definitely be an ideal career choice. It will allow you to broaden your horizons as you meet new people and interact with them. The career has a huge potential for growth in position and salary for professionals in this field.
