What can you do with a Fashion Merchandising degree from Philadelphia University?

First, some facts. Of the Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 62%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 21% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Fashion Merchandising graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Fashion Merchandising graduate from Philadelphia University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 77%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from Philadelphia University with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Product Coordinator
Saks Fifth Avenue
May 2011 - Jul 2011
As a Product Coordinator at Saks Fifth Avenue, there may be some transferable skills from fashion merchandising, but the core qualifications of the role primarily focus on product management rather than direct application of merchandising knowledge.

Merchandise Administrator
Charming Shoppes
Jan 2012 - Aug 2012
The Merchandise Administrator position at Charming Shoppes might utilize some merchandising skills, but it is more administrative and does not substantially require fashion merchandising expertise.

Merchandise Trainee, Fashion Jewelry
QVC
Aug 2012 - Oct 2013
The role as a Merchandise Trainee in Fashion Jewelry at QVC directly applies knowledge and skills from fashion merchandising, focusing specifically on product selection and fashion trends.

Assistant Buyer, Home
QVC
Oct 2013 - Dec 2015
As an Assistant Buyer for Home at QVC, this job requires significant application of merchandising knowledge related to product selection and market analysis, which are core aspects of the individual's degree.

Associate Buyer, Home Textiles
QVC
Dec 2015 - Aug 2018
The Associate Buyer for Home Textiles at QVC demands extensive use of fashion merchandising skills in product analysis and buying decisions, reflecting a strong alignment with the individuals degree.

Buyer
QVC
Aug 2018 - Sep 2019
The position of Buyer at QVC directly utilizes the core qualifications of fashion merchandising, focusing on strategic product selection and market trends.

Merchandise Planning Allocator- Culinary
QVC
Sep 2019 - Present
As a Merchandise Planning Allocator in Culinary at QVC, some skills from fashion merchandising may be applicable, but the role primarily focuses on inventory and planning rather than direct merchandising knowledge.

ABOUT

Merchandising and planning experience in fashion, home and culinary

What jobs can you get with a Fashion Merchandising degree from Philadelphia University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Philadelphia University's Fashion Merchandising program, it’s clear that many have landed positions in retail and merchandising, particularly in well-known companies like Macy's, QVC, and Urban Outfitters. A common trend is the prevalence of roles such as Sales Managers, Merchandise Planners, and Buyers, which directly apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies. Jobs like Merchandise Assistant, Buyer positions, and Store Managers indicate a strong connection to the principles of fashion merchandising, emphasizing product selection, inventory management, and understanding market trends.

However, not every position these graduates have taken fully aligns with the focus of their degree. There are examples of graduates holding roles that are more operational or administrative in nature, such as Inventory Analyst or Sales Associate, where the tasks may not strongly leverage specific fashion merchandising skills. Additionally, some even veered off into unrelated fields such as education or tech. So, while many have successfully found paths that utilize their fashion merchandising expertise, it’s also clear that some graduates have ended up in roles where their degree wasn't directly applicable. It shows that while a degree opens doors, the actual job relevance can vary significantly based on the specific role and company dynamics.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fashion Merchandising graduates (this is across all Fashion Merchandising graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Philadelphia University):

What kind of career trajectories do Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of graduates from Philadelphia University who've studied Fashion Merchandising, it seems like many have really found their way into solid roles within the fashion and retail industry right after graduation. A lot of them start off in sales or merchandise-related positions, such as Sales Team Managers or Merchandise Assistants, often landing jobs at well-known companies like Macy's, QVC, and Urban Outfitters. This trend of starting strong continues as they move up the ladder to more advanced roles like Store Managers, Buyers, or Merchandise Planners within five to ten years of graduation. It’s clear that a degree in Fashion Merchandising from this university opens doors into the fashion sector, allowing graduates to establish successful careers aligned with what they studied.

However, there are some mixed results for certain individuals. While many have stuck to fashion-related careers, a few graduates have veered off into unrelated fields, like education or roles that don't directly connect to fashion merchandising. This shows that while the degree is beneficial for a career in the industry, the trajectory can vary depending on personal choices and opportunities. Overall, though, most seem to do well, moving up in retail and merchandising roles that keep them in the heart of the fashion world, which is pretty impressive!

How hard is a Fashion Merchandising degree from Philadelphia University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising can be a mix of fun and challenging, but it’s generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other degrees, especially if you’re into fashion and creativity. You’ll dive into subjects like marketing, retail management, and trend analysis, so if you have a passion for these areas, you might find the coursework pretty engaging. There’s definitely a bit of work involved, especially with projects and presentations, but it’s also hands-on and allows for a lot of creative expression. Just be ready for some late nights during busy project seasons, and if you enjoy the world of fashion, you’ll probably find it a lot more enjoyable than a tedious grind.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fashion Merchandising.

Do Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Fashion Merchandising grads, it seems a lot of them have steadily moved up the ranks, especially in retail and merchandising roles, which is pretty cool! Some have landed positions like Store Managers and Buyers, indicating they've likely been making decent money — especially since management roles can come with higher paychecks and benefits. However, not everyone is in high-paying positions right out of college; for instance, some started as coordinators or assistants, which usually don’t pay as much. Still, it looks like a good number of these folks have found their groove and are climbing the ladder, which is a solid indication they're doing well financially. So, while the beginnings might have been a bit on the lower side, many seem to be in a pretty good place now!

What buzzwords do Fashion Merchandising graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Fashion Merchandising (this is across all Fashion Merchandising graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Philadelphia University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Fashion Merchandising?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Fashion Merchandising (ordered by the average relevance score of their Fashion Merchandising graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
LIM College 70 43
University of North Texas 69 20
Kent State University 68 49
Fashion Institute of Technology 66 21
Philadelphia University 62 14
The University of Georgia 59 13
California State University-Long Beach 56 12
Texas State University 54 24
Marist College 54 17