Finance and Financial Management Services at Bethel University

Indiana's finance programs show dramatic variation, from Notre Dame's nearly $100,000 first-year salaries down to the state median of $55,399. Bethel's outcomes appear to track near that median based on comparable programs, which means graduates likely start $40,000 behind their peers at nearby Notre Dame or even $5,000 behind those from Butler and Purdue. For a competitive field where early networking and employer recognition matter, this gap could compound over time.

The estimated $26,400 debt load sits slightly above both state and national norms for finance degrees, though the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 remains manageable—graduates would dedicate roughly half their first year's salary to total debt, assuming standard repayment. That's not alarming, but it's not a bargain either when peer programs in Indiana are producing similar debt levels with potentially stronger earnings.

The real challenge here is the uncertainty. With a 99% admission rate and outcomes estimated from other Indiana schools rather than actual Bethel data, you're essentially betting on an unknown entity in a field where pedigree and alumni networks often drive advancement. If your child has options at Butler, Purdue, or even Taylor—schools with documented outcomes showing stronger earnings—those represent safer investments in a finance career.