The Rise of University Sales Centers in the U.S.

According to some studies, as many as 50% of new graduates find their way into a sales career after graduation. Amongst some majors, that number can be even higher. For example, while dated, a 2019 article from Memory Blue estimated that 88% of marketing majors ended up either having sales as a part of their job or were in a sales position.

With sales being such an essential skill for so many college graduates, there has historically been a surprisingly low number of universities that offer sales as a standalone major. In many cases, sales remains an emphasis or focus within business or marketing degrees. In fact, of the nearly 4000 higher-education, degree-granting institutions in the United States only 176 provided formal sales education as of 2023. That’s about 5%.

While this may seem like a gap in our educational offerings, there has been a boom in university sales centers. For example, compare the 176 sales programs of 2023 with the mere 44 colleges and universities that offered formal sales education in 2017. Growth is happening as we speak.

So while it’s easy to look at the statistics and immediately exclaim “we need more sales education ASAP!”, a simple shift in perspective instead shows that these universities that are emphasizing the importance of sales are pioneers in how higher education helps students in the future. 

What is a Sales Center?

The first professional sales center was founded in 1986 by Baylor University. To this day, The Center of Professional Selling is still a pillar of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.

Universities, ultimately, are a part of a competitive business landscape, so once a single professional sales center was started, it sparked interest in universities across the country to establish centers of their own. Aside from this competition, the growth of tech, the expansion of the workforce, and globalization have all made university sales centers a logical investment for institutions.

Sales Programs or Majors vs Sales Centers

As a general rule of thumb, “sales center” can be used interchangeably with “sales program” or “sales major.” In some instances, a sales center could refer to a physical building dedicated specifically to a sales program, but more often than not sales programs are housed within the buildings of a university’s business school.

Notable Sales Centers on the Rise

Texas Christian University

TCU’s Sales Center is one of our favorite “on the rise” sales centers to highlight. Relatively new, having been founded in 2019, the TCU Sales Center has seen their enrollment increase from 13 to about 300 students in that short amount of time. Their quick rise to excellence can be seen in their 100% placement rate, over $1 million in student generated revenue since 2019, and in high-profile awards—including 1st place, out of 46 schools, in the 2022 Gartner Speed Selling Challenge.

Zach Hall, TCU Sales Center’s Founder and Director spoke to us about what makes their sales center stand out, he said,

“The TCU Sales Center stands out because of our commitment to real-world selling. Everything we do is designed to emulate what students will experience in their first 3-5 years in sales roles, from SDR/BDR to AE, AM, and Customer Success. At the core of our approach, students gain hands-on experience by actively selling a portfolio of 8-10 products—ranging in value from $100 to $25,000—rather than just pitching a single product. Every student reaches both an individual and team quota, learning to sell based on value rather than just features. Our faculty brings 160 years of combined sales experience, allowing students to learn directly from industry practitioners. Additionally, our students engage in advanced CRM usage, prospecting, and account management, making them exceptionally prepared for modern sales roles. Our holistic approach—integrating experiential learning, cutting-edge technology, and mentorship—creates a transformative program that goes beyond the classroom and sets our graduates up for long-term success.”

University of Wyoming

Wyoming’s Sales Center isn’t just one of the most decorated sales programs in the Mountain West region, it is one of the more decorated programs in the country. Consistently recognized by SEF as one of the best sales programs in the world, in recent years Wyoming has won or medaled in competitions like:

• The Great Northwood Sales Warm-up
• Sherman Williams Sales Competition
• Arizona Collegiate Sales Competition
• Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition

This list does not include the many others that Wyoming is a consistent force at like the National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition (NCSSC). 

When Epic Hire works with sales centers we also like to understand the student experience. Wyoming Sales Center student, Sarah Drewry, spoke to us about her time in Laramie,

“I joined the Wyoming Sales Center thinking I’d just learn some sales techniques—but it ended up giving me so much more. It pushed me to grow my confidence, expand my network, and gain a real competitive advantage in the job market. Through the Center’s hands-on classes, competitions, and the support from our amazing faculty, I have experienced incredible development on both a personal and professional level. During my time here, I’ve built lasting relationships, found clarity in my career path, and feel genuinely prepared for life after college.”

University of North Carolina – Wilmington Center for Sales Excellence and Customer Delight

The state of North Carolina has some of the highest profile schools in the U.S. While big name universities like University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Duke University get much of the attention for their low acceptance rates and blue blood sports status, some of the lesser talked about state universities offer the same, if not higher, quality programs in certain areas. 

A chief example would be University of North Carolina-Wilmington’s Center for Sales Excellence and Customer Delight, which prides itself on providing world class career readiness to its students. Currently, over 95% of the program’s graduates currently work in sales according to John Reed, the director of UNCW’s Sales Center. 

Aside from the impressive graduate statistics, Reed also draws attention to the Center for Sales Excellence’s presence in the community. Every year, students actively participate in projects in the Wilmington community and the Center itself emphasizes partnerships with local businesses.

UNCW’s Sales Center has many noteworthy partners, both local and national, which include Hendrick Automotive, Enterprise Mobility, and Northwestern Mutual. Says Reed, “we’re fortunate to have an incredible roster of partners and every one of them is an outstanding organization with great products, a commitment to professionalism and to their employees, and with phenomenal corporate cultures.”

The Goals of Sales Centers

SEF, or Sales Education Foundation, the leading publication when it comes to sales program rankings and assessing the overall health of sales education in the United States. SEF’s annual report gives in depth looks into what top sales programs provide to their students. 

However, it doesn’t delve into the human goals of these programs. Many university sales centers and programs devote themselves not only to providing excellent education and preparedness for a career in sales, they also help young people develop into the best, most confident versions of themselves.

We’ll end on that note with another insight from Zach Hall, TCU’s Sales Center Director and Founder,

“Our primary goal is to amplify our students’ career and life trajectories by providing a transformative educational experience. This isn’t about winning competitions, selling the most, or securing the highest-paying jobs—it’s about equipping students with critical thinking, active listening, professionalism, and time management skills in an intense, real-world learning environment. Through this stress, pressure, and skill development, our goal is for students to land the career that is the best fit for them—not just any job—so they can live happier, more fulfilling lives. Whether they pursue sales, accounting, entrepreneurship, or even travel the world, this program is designed to help…students of any major to become the best version of themselves.”