Location: Abilene, TX•In-State Tuition: $42,380•Admission Rate: 64%•Avg SAT: 1189
Median Earnings (1yr)Reported
$53,590
50th percentile
60th percentile in Texas
Median DebtReported
$22,406
4% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.42 ManageableSample: 46 graduates

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release).

Analysis

Abilene Christian's finance program starts modestly but builds into something genuinely impressive. That $53,590 starting salary sits right at the national median, but four years later, graduates are earning nearly $79,000—a 47% jump that reflects strong career momentum. Among Texas finance programs, this places ACU in the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median despite being one of the more affordable options in the region.

The debt picture reinforces the value story. At $22,406, graduates owe less than both the national and Texas medians for finance programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that's manageable from day one. Compare this to top-tier programs like SMU or UT Austin, where graduates earn more initially but likely carry significantly higher debt loads. ACU graduates can start building wealth earlier while still reaching competitive mid-career earnings.

The real question is whether your student needs that prestigious name on their resume or prefers a more practical launch pad. If they're self-motivated and willing to hustle through those early career years, ACU's combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth makes this a solid financial choice—especially for families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing outcomes.

Where Abilene Christian University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Abilene Christian UniversityOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Abilene Christian University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Abilene Christian University earns $54k — 50th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Abilene Christian University$53,590$78,790+47%
Southern Methodist University$83,159$113,839+37%
The University of Texas at Austin$81,844$95,994+17%
Texas A&M University-College Station$71,409$90,976+27%
Texas Christian University$78,453$90,933+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (59 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene$42,380$53,590$78,790$22,4060.42
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$83,159$113,839$19,5000.23
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$81,844$95,994$20,5000.25
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth$57,220$78,453$90,933$19,5000.25
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$71,409$90,976$16,8800.24
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas—$70,963$59,017$48,4690.68
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Explore Related Programs

Finance and Financial Management Services in Texas

View all in Texas →

Explore further

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Abilene Christian University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 46 graduates with reported earnings and 46 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.