Ball State University’s Center for Professional Selling has been named one of the Sales Education Foundation’s Top Sales Programs for 2025-26, marking the 20th consecutive year Ball State has earned the national recognition.
The honor reflects Ball State’s longstanding commitment to preparing students for fulfilling careers in professional selling through immersive learning, industry partnerships, and direct engagement with employers. Housed in the Miller College of Business, the Center for Professional Selling offers students opportunities to build real-world skills in sales courses, internal competitions, networking events, career fairs, internships, and national collegiate sales competitions.
“This recognition speaks to the strength and consistency of what Ball State has built over time,” said Chris Wilkey, director of Ball State’s Center for Professional Selling and associate lecturer of marketing. “Our students are developing the kind of communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills that employers want, and our faculty and industry partners have helped create a program that gives students meaningful, hands-on preparation for success after graduation.”
Ball State’s professional selling students benefit from experiential learning opportunities woven throughout the program. In addition to coursework, students work with partner companies, participate in case competitions, develop real-world sales materials, pursue CRM-related experience, and connect with recruiters through events designed specifically for students interested in sales and related fields.
Students also can sharpen their skills through Ball State’s award-winning Sales Team, which competes against students from universities across the country and around the world in role-play events, management presentations, and speed-selling competitions. Those experiences help students strengthen their confidence, expertise, and professional connections as they prepare to enter the workforce.
“Miller College is committed to giving students practical, career-focused experiences that help them stand out in the job market,” said Dr. Cathy DuBois, Bryan Dean of Miller College of Business. “This continued national recognition affirms the quality of Ball State’s Center for Professional Selling, the dedication of its faculty and staff, and the strong outcomes our students achieve through experiential learning and close connections with industry.”
Ball State’s Center for Professional Selling emphasizes relationship-building, digital technology, and communication as core components of student preparation. The program helps connect students with full-time and internship opportunities across a broad range of industries, while also fostering the professional development that can lead to long-term career success.
For more information, visit the Center for Professional Selling website, call 765-285-5136, or email salescenter@bsu.edu