Where Fashion Merchandising Graduates Work
Fashion Merchandising graduates have built careers with organizations including:
- Bulgari
- Victoria’s Secret & Co.
- Calvin Klein and Tory Burch
- Oscar de la Renta
- Nordstrom and Anthropologie
- Natori
- Jovani
- Rent the Runway
- Marie Oliver
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- David’s Bridal
- Kontoor Brands
Fashion Merchandising Salary and Job Outlook
Across all majors, 99% of High Point University’s Class of 2025 was employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduation, measured by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $77,710 median annual wage for buyers and purchasing agents in May 2025 and projects employment of purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035.
Salary and employment opportunities vary by occupation, industry, location, experience and other factors.
Job Titles Fashion Merchandising Graduates Hold
Career paths represented among HPU Fashion Merchandising graduates include:
- Associate Account Executive
- Public Relations and Marketing Assistant
- Assistant Buyer
- Assistant Store Manager
- Stylist
- Bridal Consultant
- Coordinator
Roles Fashion Merchandising Graduates Can Pursue
A Fashion Merchandising degree can also prepare students for roles such as merchandise planner, allocation analyst, product developer, visual merchandiser, e-commerce merchandiser, brand manager, showroom manager and retail store designer.
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2027 edition ranked High Point University #1 of 152 Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major, a new factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Fashion Merchandising Student Organizations
Fashion Forward pairs professional development with community service and runs a student publication and pop-up fashion shows. The National Retail Federation Student Association is the campus chapter of the largest retail trade association in the world, for students in retail, fashion, merchandising and marketing.
Both operate a short walk from the High Point Market, the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, held every spring and fall.
Industry Experience
Every Fashion Merchandising student completes an internship at a fashion, wholesale or retail company before graduating. At the biannual High Point Market, students work in merchandising, sales and showroom design and setup.
Designers including Alexander Julian and Stuart Weitzman have spoken on campus, and trips to New York and Maymesters in Japan and Spain put students in front of the industry.
What Fashion Merchandising Students Say
Jenni Bilhuber
Assistant Manager, Abercrombie & Fitch
“Earning a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and a Master’s degree in Communication and Business Leadership has equipped me with the knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in a competitive industry.”
Mia Ciccarelli
Graduate study, LIM College
“Dr. Brown wants the best for her students and wants to see them succeed.”
Fashion Merchandising Graduate Outcomes
Faye Lynch started as a coordinator at Marie Oliver and is now an associate account executive at Natori. Lynch’s internship was an alterations apprenticeship at CHANEL, an opportunity a faculty member shared during senior year.
Reilly Gallagher is an assistant buyer at Rent the Runway in New York. Sydney Brett joined Jovani as a public relations and marketing assistant, and Keri Wright became a stylist at David’s Bridal. Jenni Bilhuber worked as a stylist before becoming an assistant manager at Abercrombie & Fitch, and Mia Ciccarelli continued to graduate study at LIM College.
Fashion Merchandising Internships
Gallagher interned as a bridal consultant at Kleinfeld Bridal before joining Rent the Runway. Gracie Buckles interned in fashion merchandising and wholesale at Mashburn, and Chloe Koper worked in product development at Interloop North America.
Students have also interned at CHANEL, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch, Restoration Hardware and Victoria’s Secret.
Explore Fashion Merchandising at High Point University
Fashion Merchandising careers at High Point University start with a required internship and a résumé built before graduation.
Accreditation & Awards Curriculum & Research
Questions about the program? Email Jane Nichols at [email protected].